By engaging with its diverse partners, the University of Newcastle - Central Coast, is helping to grow the capacity of the Central Coast as a destination for world-class research, business innovation and for the delivery of health and community services.

Based on the success of the Engage Newcastle website, the Central Coast campus will next week launch its own, unique version of the online engagement platform - Engage Central Coast.
 
Launched as part of the Regional Development Australia’s monthly Focus on the Coast event, Engage Central Coast will tell the stories of these mutually-beneficial collaborations, and will celebrate the vibrant and dynamic businesses, industry and community who are proud to call the Central Coast ‘home’.

Award-winning Central Coast businessman Craig Baxter, from Baxter Building, will be one of the successful partnership stories told on the webpage.

Craig took steps to diversify his businesses after taking part in the Central Coast Innovation Champions Program, which is a partnership between the University, RDA and Innov8Central.

“Since then my business has won two Master Builders’ Association awards and we have introduced a commercial maintenance arm, to help future proof the business against any changes in demand within the construction industry,” Mr Baxter said.

“The real value of the program is that it has opened my eyes to creating and establishing a positive culture of change in the business, and having an understanding of what it takes to be a good leader, and to drive innovation for the benefit of my business.”

Engage Central Coast will be launched by University of Newcastle Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Andrew Parfitt, at the RDA’s Focus on the Coast – Partnerships to Grow the Central Coast event on Thursday May 16.

To keep up to date with the stories on Engage Central Coast, follow @engage_cc on Twitter. For story ideas please contact Engagement Coordinator Leonie Brann by emailing Leonie.Brann@newcastle.edu.au