CESA - Australia's First Society of Tertiary Education

A Society for Academic and Professional Staff in the Tertiary Education Sector.

Until 1910, Australians who wanted an independent assessment of their skills in commercial subjects had to sit for examinations that were set and marked in Great Britain. The papers were sent back for marking to London by sea, and the results were returned to Sydney by sea. That disadvantage was suffered by students in both private business colleges and in the public education system.

So a small group of Australian businesspeople formed an organisation to provide a local service, the Commercial Education Society of Australia (CESA).

The Society has examined hundreds of thousands of students throughout Australia, Asia, and the South Pacific. It is open to anybody of scholastic achievement and an interest in tertiary education. Today, the Society offers independent commercial examinations, professional development programs and fraternity for Australians and people in neighbouring countries involved in tertiary education.

CESA remains a privately funded, not-for-profit organisation, which continues to encourage discussion and debate about the quality of education and training in Australia, Asia, and the South Pacific.

Become a Member (MCES)

General Membership (MCES) is open to any person of good character who supports the Society’s work in tertiary education. Members are committed to high standards and thorough assessment in commercial education.

Learn more

Become a Fellow (FCES)

Become a Member (MCES)

Fellowship of the Commercial Education Society of Australia (FCES) is open to people who have distinguished themselves in tertiary education and/or have a record of support for the Society and its objectives.

Learn more

Welcome from the President, Mrs Kathleen McKenzie

Welcome to the Commercial Education Society of Australia (CESA). We are almost 110 years old, with an outstanding record of getting people into employment and further education through the programs we offer.

“History is a reflection of the past and it underpins the future.”

Arthur H McKenzie, Former CESA Registrar

You are joining CESA at an exciting time, we have broadened our independent examinations by providing a new suite of programs in professional development. These programs will focus on professional practice and offer direction in improving human relationship skills through better communication, deportment, leadership, and mentoring. These skills are needed today as technology changes, and pressure is intensified for keeping up to date in the workplace and dealing with a diversified commercial world. It is our hope that CESA professional development activities will foster personal excellence in our members to bring about economic and social advantage.

We have been fortunate in a renewed interest in the Society resulting in new members. They bring with them a 21st century outlook, most having grown up with technology and being subject to rapid change. These new members will combine their energy and ideas with the experience of the older members of the Society which will bring about a bright future moving towards the next 100 years.

Mrs Kathleen McKenzie JP

GCAdEd (UNE) MAA (CQU) FCES FRSA FIPS

PRESIDENT

Welcome from the Dean, Emeritus Professor A.G. (Tony) Shannon AM

“To compete in today’s new workplace and marketplace it requires a renewed focus on serving the unique needs of the individual employee and consumer whom are more multi-generational, multi-cultural, multi-gender, multi-mindset and multi-tenured than ever before. For leaders to remain relevant that must shift their thinking from command and control to serving inclusion and individuality. Why? Because the business no longer defines the individual. The balance of power has shifted to the individual defining the business. … For organizations to grow and evolve, they must solve for individuality”[1].

This is the motivation behind the recent growth of the Commercial Education Society of Australia (CESA) which has been providing education and training opportunities for students in Australia and other countries for over one hundred years, and has constantly adapted throughout its history to changing needs in the professions. Commercial education is relevant to every profession and trade. CESA is, in fact, older than most Australian universities!

Thus we welcome prospective students and CESA members to Certificate and Advanced Certificate programs and other short courses which can develop your professional practice and prestige. There is also a new suite of nested programs though which you can advance your grade of membership to Associate, Licentiate or Fellow.

No matter what your profession, this continuing professional development (cpd) will attest to your growing professional capabilities with the acquisition of the mental tools, and the mindset, for lifelong learning. Participation in the CPD opportunities provided by CESA can be done on an individual basis or at an approved CESA Assessment Centre.

Emeritus Professor Anthony Greville (Tony) Shannon

AM GCHS BSc (Sydney) MA PhD (UNE) EdD (City) DSc (UTS) LLD (hc)(UNDA) DUniv (EPU) FACE FAustMS FCES FCP

DEAN

[1] https://www-forbes-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.forbes.com/sites/glennllopis/2018/06/21/three-critical-factors-reveal-your-authenticity/amp/