The future we want: using alliances to amplify impact
The Grand Challenges of the world need more than just competitive forces to support their resolution. In a short timeframe, the NUW Alliance has led the way through its research and educational vision, with multiple projects already in train.
In response to both international and domestic calls for action, the NUW Alliance is tac
kling several Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations 2030 agenda to address global challenges.
The Alliance’s impact is amplified through its collective power, collaborating on initiatives such as the 'Multiversity’ and the joint research vision with UTS for the Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility (AMRF).
Amplifying industry, innovation and infrastructure
The importance of investing in research and development (R&D) has never been more apparent, with the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines demonstrating the critical role of innovation in unexpected crises.
The NUW Alliance’s vision for the AMRF realises the need for collaborative research, technology and innovation to drive social and economic change in the Western Parkland City.
The facility will provide opportunities in disciplines such as Neuromorphic Engineering, Nanofabrication, AR/VR Human-Machine Interaction, Robotics +Automation and Cybersecurity, in direct alignment with the United Nations 2030 agenda. For future residents of the Western Sydney region, the AMRF will help to contain skills in the region and provide unique opportunities to develop industry-ready skills for the modern workplace.
Amplifying quality education
Rapid advancements in high-tech and digitally driven manufacturing have also resulted in the need for an agile and evolving workplaces. The NUW Alliance has begun developing the ‘Engineering Plus’ program, set to incorporate new and innovative ways of thinking to align with industry expectations.
The ‘Engineering Plus’ program aims to address social inequality, by providing increased opportunities for women and culturally diverse students to enrol in the program.
Barriers to entry will be reduced and any requisite knowledge will be scaffolded into the program to support student access. The program will have internationalisation and global human centred design at its core to strengthen graduate employability. Continuing education and training are key to improved livelihoods and to developing a labour force resilient to economic shocks and adaptable to technological change. This has been a driving force behind the development of the NUW Alliance’s Multiversity, seeking to deliver genuine, generational socioeconomic transformation in New South Wales.
The first collaboration between NUW Alliance partner universities and TAFE NSW is revolutionising the educational landscape by breaking down traditional barriers between schools, technical and university education.
Amplifying climate action
Goal 13 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals is to combat climate change and promote sustainable cities (United Nations 2021). The NUW Alliance is seeking to drive climate action through a collaborative approach to support researchers, industry and government stakeholders on development of new technologies to decarbonise NSW.
This will directly contribute towards the NSW Government’s plans to reduce state emissions by 50 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030; attract up to $37 billion in private investment; support more than 9000 jobs and achieve Net Zero by 2050.
The NUW Alliance has harnessed opportunities to address global challenges and create a genuine positive impact for our local communities.
Through collaboration, the NUW Alliance continues to amplify its reach and impact to deliver transformational change.
Article authored by Natalie Downing Director of Operations at the NUW Alliance and Sylvia Malicki Project Officer, Alliances at Western Sydney University.
To read other thought leadership articles such as this please see the NUW Alliance Biannual Report.
Contact
- Tamara Tancred
- Phone: 02 4921 5504
- Email: tamara.tancred@nuwalliance.edu.au
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- Forming meaningful connections
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