Community and school programs
The University of Newcastle has a proud tradition of working together with its community including our local and regional schools. Community based programs and research emerge from our core business of teaching and learning. At the same time these connections keep our efforts focused and purposeful while helping to foster a sense of identity that comes from being part of this unique community.
We believe we are stronger when we work together; therefore the development of mutually beneficial partnerships helping to build strong regional communities is an essential goal of the University's community engagement mission.
With our students and staff as our greatest assets, the University seeks to understand community issues and work with our partners to foster social cohesion and find innovative solutions through education. We aim to establish, build and maintain strong partnerships between the University and our schools across the Hunter and Central Coast, while developing and supporting opportunities for our primary and secondary students to participate in educational experiences.
Aim High
AIM High strives to increase the understanding of, and aspiration for, higher education among low socioeconomic status schools and communities by offering a suite of tertiary educations experiences to primary and high school students.
Community Connections
The Community Connections Program is a cross cultural friendship program through which volunteers from the local community link with international students from all levels of study.
Family Action Centre
The Family Action Centre works to strengthen families and communities by developing and implementing programs, undertaking research and training, and promoting sustainability, social justice and community leadership.
Science and Engineering Challenge
The Science and Engineering Challenge is a nationwide outreach program designed to inspire students to study science and engineering at a senior level.
SMART (Science, Maths and Real Technology)
The Science, Maths and Real Technology (SMART) outreach program offers live, interactive, demonstration based science shows to schools through the University's Equity and Diversity unit and the Faculty of Science and IT.
Special Education Centre
The Special Education Centre provides a diverse range of programs and services for people of all ages with a disability or special needs, and for their practitioners, families and communities.
SPinS
The Speech Pathology in Schools (SPinS) program provides school-aged students experiencing speech difficulties.
The Tom Farrell Institute for the Environment
As the gateway to environmental research and teaching at the University of Newcastle, the Tom Farrell Institute for the Environment is helping to develop regional solutions for a sustainable future.
The University of Newcastle Legal Centre (UNLC)
The University of Newcastle Legal Centre (UNLC) is a community legal service and a teaching facility for law students. The UNLC operates as a community legal centre, providing free legal advice and assistance to members of the community in the Hunter region.
University of Newcastle Department of Rural Health
The University's Department of Rural Health focuses on facilitating student placements and learning, enhancing the health of local communities through community projects and conducting research into rural health issues.
Watt Space School Program
Watt Space Gallery has a range of services for schools, including guided tours and Professional Development workshops.