International House (University of Melbourne)

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International House is the second-largest residential college of The University of Melbourne. It is distinguished by being the only college which is a department of the University. It provides accommodation to approximately 270 students who are attending The University of Melbourne, RMIT University, Victoria University of Technology, Monash University and Australian Catholic University. It is situated at 241 Royal Parade, Parkville.

[edit] History

The idea for International House originally came from three university students, Sam Dimmick, Abinash Jerath and R. Sundarason, who in 1949 realised the need for accommodation for an increasing number of overseas students coming to Melbourne in the postwar era. The founding of the Colombo plan in 1951 increased the pressure on Australian universities to accept students from Southern and South-East Asia.

The students believed that bringing together students from different countries to live and study together would foster a culture of international understanding and friendship.

In 1950, the International Hostel Committee was established, which led to several rounds of fundraising and the eventual purchase of two adjoining properties on Royal Parade.

The college opened in 1957 with 55 male students, though the first building was not officially opened until 24 May 1958 by the then Prime Minister Robert Menzies.