Our plan at a glance
People first measures: Measures of success that recognise that we are an institution that exists to improve lives, and whose greatest asset is its people.
Impact measures: Measures of success that seek to ensure that the University can serve future generations.
Life-ready Graduates
Our Education Plan will deliver an outstanding student experience, preparing our graduates for life in an increasingly interconnected and complex world.
Measure of success
- Student satisfaction: We will be in the top 10 of universities in Australia for student satisfaction, as measured through the national Student Experience Survey.
- Student outcomes: We will be in the top 10 of universities in Australia for 6-year Undergraduate completion rates.
- Curriculum sustainability: We will ensure that curriculum offerings are financially sustainable, market-aligned, adaptive to emerging technologies, and responsive to student and industry demand.
Focus areas
We will place real-world experiences at the heart of every student's learning journey. Purposeful learning will be driven by work-integrated learning opportunities and flexible student-driven pathways.
Students will be supported to learn where, how, and when they want. We will work collaboratively across the sector to expand access and respond to emerging industry skill needs.
From first query to life as an alumnus, we will provide exceptional service and support. Every student will feel valued, empowered, and equipped for lifelong success.
We will prepare students for life, not just work. Self-determined and empowered learning will build confidence, resilience, and capability.
Grounded in our graduate attributes, our programs will support lifelong success and adaptability. We will ensure students are ready for citizenship, community engagement, and global connection.
Throughout their journey, students will be supported, with a strong focus on wellbeing and personal growth.
We will deliver courses that are both relevant and sustainable. Students will be equipped to thrive in a changing world through high-quality teaching and learning.
Our program portfolio will be continuously reviewed to ensure its long-term quality and viability. Our staff will be supported with the skills and resources needed to offer learning grounded in real-world experience.
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Research with Impact
Our Research Plan sets out a bold vision to reshape our research environment into one that is mission-driven, collaborative, and impactful.
Measures of success
- Growing capacity: We will be in the top 10 of universities in Australia for Higher Degree by Research (HDR) student enrolments.
- Driving quality: Our researchers will be supported to conduct work of the highest quality.
- Partner aligned: We will grow our research, as evidenced by being in the top 10 of Australian universities for research income.
Focus areas
Through the strengths of our three institutes, we will focus our research and innovation on the challenges that matter most to our regions. Our research will have strong potential for national and global impact.
Strategic investment will accelerate priority initiatives. New models of engagement and evaluation will strengthen partnerships and amplify regional benefits. We will be positioned as a leader and collaborator in transformative change.
We will launch a new Fellowship Program. This program will attract, support, and empower world-class researchers whose work is shaping the future.
The program will advance knowledge, tackle complex global challenges, and drive positive change within our communities and beyond.
We will strengthen our research ecosystem by expanding strategic and global partnerships and diversifying our funding base. This will drive collaboration and shared success.
Our approach will be grounded in diversity, and belonging. We will ensure culturally respectful and inclusive outcomes that help shape a better future.
We will enhance how we capture, track, and communicate research impact. Meaningful and measurable outcomes will be supported by aligning expectations and promotion criteria.
We will provide targeted support to teams across the entire impact pathway. This will elevate our research reputation and enhance our standing in global rankings.
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Engagement that connects
Our focus is on long-term, reciprocal partnerships that deliver impact and shared benefits, and respond to community priorities. For us, engagement is a sustained relationship built on trust, respect, and collaboration.
Measures of success
- Locally connected: We will improve our standing with our regional community as evidenced by continuous improvement in our Community, Industry, and Alumni sentiment.
- Globally recognised: We will build trust and support in our communities locally and globally, evidenced by being in the top 200 universities in the QS World University Rankings.
Focus areas
We ground our engagement in respect and cultural standards. This will be guided by an Ethical Engagement Framework to ensure we listen, learn, and co-create with our partners.
We will remove barriers to participation and prioritise inclusive engagement. Particularly with historically underrepresented groups. This includes a strong focus on place-based engagement with regional, rural, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Our engagement will align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It will be guided by clear objectives and strong governance frameworks.
We will focus on long-term social, environmental, and economic outcomes. This will help build enduring partnerships that create meaningful and lasting impact.
Communities and partners will be empowered to drive their own development and innovation. This will be supported through education and research. Internally, engagement will be a defining feature of our identity and a strategic enabler.
This dual focus will ensure engagement builds internal capability and alignment. It will also help deliver meaningful external impact.
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Our Flagships Model
Our Flagships Model is a framework for delivering initiatives that reflect the needs, strengths, and aspirations of our communities. It integrates education, research, and engagement to create meaningful and measurable impact to deliver on our civic mission.
A structured process will guide the selection of initiatives under this model. The process will ensure alignment with community priorities, institutional strengths, and strategic relevance. Initiatives delivered through the model must demonstrate:
Core objectives
Key features
Funding and investment
We will implement this model through a staged approach. We have a commitment to delivering at least three flagship initiatives over five years.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. Learn more.
The content of this publication has not been approved by the United Nations and does not reflect the views of the United Nations or its officials or Member States.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.