Our Priorities

For the University of Newcastle, the pressures of the institutional and external environments have had a significant impact on the organisation’s culture. Outcomes have been both positive and negative but in facing the challenges, the organisation has developed a resilience and an appreciation of the critical factors for success in the higher education sector.

Our strength and understanding has informed the development of the University’s Strategic Plan such that the University of Newcastle recognises the importance of:

  • displaying confidence in the abilities of our staff and students to excel and investing in their development; striving to improve the quality of our scholarship and research activities;
  • building a firm and robust platform for organisational and personal performance and growth;
  • engaging with our communities to provide opportunities for high quality education and opportunities for knowledge creation and transfer;
  • creating a framework in which to be dynamic, responsive, flexible and risk-taking;
  • and promoting an identity that is clearly defined, differentiated and reflects the University of Newcastle experience.
     

Strategic Priorities

  • promoting and improving a positive student experience and quality teaching and learning,
  • enhancing and promoting a positive staff experience,
  • achieving growth in research excellence,
  • expanding leadership and initiatives in Indigenous collaboration,
  • developing and strengthening our international approach and engagement,
  • promoting and supporting alumni, partnerships and communities, and
  • ensuring sustainable perspective and actions. 

In meeting each of these strategic priorities, the University will ensure that the enhancement of the quality of the student experience remains at the forefront of university planning and action under this Strategic Plan.


Object and Functions

Section 6 of the University of Newcastle Act 1989 defines the core object of the University of Newcastle as “the promotion, within the limits of the University’s resources, of scholarship, research, free inquiry, the interaction of research and teaching and academic excellence”. The Act specifies that the University must have particular regard to the needs of the Hunter region, the Central Coast and surrounding areas in:

  • providing facilities for education and research of university standard;
    disseminating, advancing, developing and applying knowledge;
  • providing courses of study across a range of fields that meet the needs of the community;
  • participating in public discourse;
    conferring higher education degrees and awards;
  • providing teaching and learning that engages with advanced knowledge and inquiry;
  • developing a governance and policy framework, financial arrangements; and
  • quality assurance processes to ensure the integrity of the University’s academic programs

Effects of functions on members of the public 

The functions of the University have an effect on members of the public. The University has a strong commitment to the community it serves: its region, its alumni community, its indigenous partners, and its friends across the nation and the world.  The University is recognised as a leader in community and regional engagement.

The University serves a regional community of more than 750,000 people in the Hunter Valley and Central Coast areas of NSW. In these regions we have close partnerships with business and industry. The University also has a commitment to the North Coast Region of New South Wales and, particularly through the University Department of Rural Health, to other rural areas of the state.

The University's functions that have the most significant impact on the public are those relating to teaching and learning, research, commercial functions and the provision of cultural, sporting, professional, technical and vocational services to the community.

Complaints and information Management
Government Information Public Access Act
Phone: + 612 49 21 5806
Fax: + 612 49 21 7151
Email: gipa@newcastle.edu.au

The GIPA Act is regulated by the Office of the Information Commissioner
Phone: 1800 463 626
Fax: 02 8114 3756
Email: oicinfo@oic.nsw.gov.au