NeW Directions
Strategic Plan
2013-2015
Finance Plan
Strategic
Objective 1:
The University will deliver targeted investment over five years to progress its aspiration to be a global leader in each of its spheres of achievement and deliver world-class innovation
Strategies:
1.1 Investment in core education strategies will support and improve the student experience, provide greater access and equity and embed advances in pedagogical practice into the curriculum.
1.2 Investment that builds world-class research quality and impact, assists engagement and productive collaborations with national and international partners, and ensures a return on the investment that establishes and maintains a competitive trajectory for the University's research.
1.3 New workforce strategies will be resourced that enhance capability and support staff to perform at world-class levels.
1.4 Infrastructure investments will provide contemporary spaces and leading edge facilities through both new constructions and upgrades to existing buildings.
1.5 Investments in technology applications and infrastructure will provide a unified virtual and physical environment supporting attainment of excellence in education and research.
Strategic
Objective 2:
The University will follow responsible financial management practices that enable it to generate the resources required to invest in its future
Strategies:
2.1 Efficient and client focussed procurement practices will deliver value for money and comply with appropriate probity requirements while providing preference to small and local suppliers.
2.2 Implementation of business analysis tools will support effective decision making for all new initiatives and investment proposals.
2.3 Funding will be provided for initiatives that deliver against the institution's environmental sustainability targets and enhance the University's reputation as a leader in sustainability.
2.4 Development of core business systems that will meet all current and future information requirements to support attainment of excellence in education and research and meeting corporate governance obligations.
2.5 Annual surpluses will be delivered of sufficient magnitude to provide the resources to fund long-term investment and infrastructure activities.
Strategic
Objective 3:
The University will seek commercial opportunities that diversify its revenue base, and provide additional resources for its core teaching and research missions
Strategies:
3.1 Growth in the commercialisation of research Intellectual Property will be progressed directly and through the activities of Newcastle Innovation and the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources to a level that exceeds sector benchmarks.
3.2 On campus accommodation will be operated on a commercial basis while meeting the pastoral and academic needs of student residents.
3.3 Opportunities to commercialise education services through relationships with high quality national and international partners will be enhanced.
3.4 Strategic relationships will be sought with industry partners and co-locating opportunities developed where appropriate to build alliances in support of education and research strategies.
3.5 Appropriate commercial activities will be undertaken that align with the institution's education and research missions and which deliver appropriate financial returns.
Strategic
Objective 4:
The University will follow sound financing and investment practices that make a positive contribution to a sustainable financial future
Strategies:
4.1 Strategies will be followed that ensure a minimum level of financial reserves are maintained, which fully covers all forward financial obligations, including all employee entitlements, in cash and investments.
4.2 The Endowment Fund will grow to enable it to contribute towards the University's annual discretionary budget.
4.3 The investment portfolio will be actively managed in accordance with the Investment Policy to maximise returns over the institution's seven-year investment horizon.
4.4 The debt capital markets will be accessed to finance large-scale infrastructure investments where this is the optimal financing strategy.
4.5 Best practice treasury practices will be followed that optimise liquidity, minimise default risk and provide flexibility to provide preferential terms to small and local suppliers.
The illustrations on this site have been created by the University of Newcastle's Head of the discipline of Design, Professor Mario Minichiello.
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