Abstract
In 2004 The Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation at the University of Melbourne began a postgraduate teaching program in Conservation, greatly expanding upon previous short-term courses already in existence through the Centre. This discussion presents the
program so far, highlighting new developments in teaching conservation in the Asia-Pacific region. Using the example of the Masters by Coursework degree, the discussion will present pedagogical advances in conservation training, utilising problem based learning and access to extensive University collections from various departments and institutions: Botany, Medicine, Dentistry, Physics, Zoology, Archives, The Grainger Museum, The Bailleau Library, and The Ian Potter Museum of Art. At this point in time, with the Centre producing it’s first Conservation graduates, it is valuable to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the teaching program, to reflect upon
what has been achieved in only 2 years and where refinements and improvements can be made.