A meeting of the MBS Board yesterday (29 September) decided not to put the merger recommendations to a meeting of MBS donor members on 7 October – the final stage in the approval process for the merger - in light of the move by some of the original MBS donor members to block the recommendations.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Glyn Davis said it is particularly disappointing to see the agreement fail – despite enjoying considerable support among donor companies and individual members ¬- given the effort and good will invested by the MBS board and the University over the past 12 months of negotiations.

In July the proposed merger was unanimously approved by the MBS Board and the University of Melbourne Council.

Professor Davis acknowledged the University accepted the decision of those opposed to the merger.  

“Over time this will be judged a missed opportunity for the University and the MBS to create the strongest business school in our region,” Professor Davis said.  

Professor Davis offered best wishes to the talented staff of the Melbourne Business School.

The University will proceed with its new Melbourne Graduate School of Management, offering a broad array of world-class graduate programs, under the leadership of the Dean, Professor Margaret Abernethy.