Welcome

Welcome to Looking Ahead, the University of Newcastle Strategic Plan 2020-2025. Our vision is to be a world-leading university for our regions.

When we look ahead, we are motivated by the opportunities we see. We are driven by the challenges we need to solve. And we are stirred by the future we can imagine.

This strategic plan is our framework for creating that very future. A future where Australia's First Peoples are empowered and enjoy true equality. A future where anyone who has the drive and talent to succeed is given the opportunity to study. A future where our research benefits our local communities as well as our fellow global citizens. A future where our environment is safeguarded and at the heart of all of our big decisions.

We will create this future together. We are a University of our regions and for our regions. Indeed, in shaping this strategic plan, we have asked our students, our staff and our communities to tell us what is most important to them. And we've listened. With more than 4,500 contributions, at the heart of this plan is the voice of the people with whom we will share our future.

Over the coming five years, our University has much to do.

With an outstanding student experience clearly in our sights, we will build on our reputation for high-quality education and research in health and medicine, science and engineering, energy and the environment, business and law, and education and arts.

We will prepare our students for the rapidly changing world by giving them more opportunities for work experience before they graduate. And, we will introduce new measures to make sure each of our graduates is more healthy, resilient and community-minded when they leave our institution than when they arrived. Helping to develop these life-ready graduates will be at the core of our actions.

We will establish four Engagement Priorities to guide our research and education efforts. We will draw on the wisdom of our Indigenous communities and use the lessons we've learned through the success of entities like the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER) and the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) to address global challenges.

Knowing we have an important place in the Asia Pacific Region, we will pursue deeper and richer partnerships and engagements in this region, and as a global citizen we will proudly contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In doing all this, we will make sure our regions continue to benefit from having their own university. By reimagining our campuses, we will open the doors to let the community in. Together with our inspiring people, we will cultivate a thriving innovation and start-up culture and will bring global expertise and knowledge to drive the future of these communities.

There is much to do. We know this won't always be an easy journey, but we know it is the right one.

The spirit of looking to the future - of imagining and then realising possibilities - is embedded in the rich heritage of our University. Indeed, our motto 'I look ahead' has long embodied that forward-looking character and resolve.

We are excited to be Looking Ahead with you.