Chaplaincy
Students from all faiths – or no faith – are welcome to make contact with a chaplain to discuss matters of faith and spirituality, or to use our services.
The Victoria University chaplains respect the uniqueness of each individual's faith expression and are here to listen, encourage and develop each person’s spiritual journey.
Services
Our chaplains are from different faith backgrounds and can help you with:
- mentoring and friendly support
- pastoral counselling for spiritual, religious and personal issues
- study groups or workshops on scripture, faith and personal growth
- on campus expressions of spirituality or connection to local faith communities
- a safe place to debrief any spiritual conversations that you've had with people that you know or have just met.
If a chaplain is unable to help you, they will refer you to someone better equipped to support you where you need assistance.
Meet the VU Chaplains
Akhtar Kalam
Professor Akhtar Kalam has been at Victoria University, Melbourne since 1985, with previous roles including Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science (7 years) and Head of Engineering (3 years).
Akhtar has been the Muslim Chaplain at Victoria University for over 20 years and is currently the Chairman of the Muslim Community Co-operative (Australia) (MCCA) Limited. He has been involved in various community activities from his student days. He has been President of Muslim Students Associations at the University of Oklahoma, USA and the University of Bath, UK. He, along with others established the two mosques in Bath and Bristol, UK and is responsible for a number of mosques and musallah in Australia. Akhtar has contributed to the establishment of the well-established Islamic primary and secondary school in Melbourne and Sydney. He regularly delivers Islamic lectures and writes in community newspapers and journals. He has keen interest to work with Muslim youths. His desire is to start a Muslim tertiary institution in Australia or overseas.
Contact Akhtar
Akhtar is available by appointment.
Location: Footscray Park Campus, Room D524
Email: or
Phone: : 9919 5504 (b/h) or 04 0788 7964 (mob)
Ken Johnston
Ken is a pastor of a Christian church and has been listening to and journeying with tertiary students for many years.
He went to high school in the western suburbs, moved around Melbourne and is now glad to be back in the west. Ken is married with four children and is a member of the interfaith Council for Chaplains in Tertiary Institutions.
Contact Ken
Ken is available once a week to meet with you, or by appointment.
Days: Tuesdays 9am–2pm (or by appointment)
Location: St Albans Campus, room 4N136
Email: or
Phone: 0407 828 142