Affordable and Clean Energy
Local Community Outreach for Energy Efficiency
The University of Newcastle delivers community and school outreach that helps people explore energy efficiency, clean energy technologies and the role of engineering in a lower-emissions future.
Clean energy innovation in the Hunter
On 2 April 2025, the University's I2N Startup Stories program at the Honeysuckle Innovation Hub featured University alumnus Peter Richardson, founder and CEO of Facet Amtech. The public event explored how a Newcastle cleantech startup is making ammonia production cleaner and more energy efficient, using less energy while reducing emissions and manufacturing costs.
The session connected clean-energy research and entrepreneurship with the Hunter's startup community, showing how energy-efficiency innovation can move from the laboratory into practical industrial applications.
Peter Richardson, founder and CEO of Facet Amtech.
Energy learning through the Science and Engineering Challenge
The University's Science and Engineering Challenge is a nationwide STEM outreach program delivered in partnership with communities, Rotary clubs, universities and sponsors. In 2025, more than 26,800 students from over 873 schools took part, including Challenge and Discovery Days in Newcastle, the Central Coast and other regional communities.
Energy and sustainability are built into the program's hands-on activities. In ElectraCITY, students design an electricity network for a model city and must find the most efficient, lowest-cost way to supply buildings while accounting for cable resistance and infrastructure costs. Other activities include wind-turbine design and environmentally responsive housing.
The 2025 event calendar included Newcastle Challenge Days from 4-10 April and Newcastle Discovery Days from 8-12 September, alongside events throughout New South Wales and every Australian state and territory.
The National Science and Engineering Challenge
Building energy literacy through practical outreach
These programs give school students, community members, innovators and local industry practical ways to engage with energy efficiency and clean-energy solutions. They connect technical concepts with real-world decisions about electricity use, industrial processes, renewable technologies and sustainable design.
2024 Annual Spring School
The University of Newcastle's centre for organic electronics (COE) successfully hosted its 14th annual spring school. In 2024, this three-day event provided undergraduate students from various disciplines, including Science, Math, IT, Engineering, and Medical Sciences, with an opportunity to explore cutting-edge research in organic electronics. The program featured lectures from local and international experts, hands-on experiences in COE labs, and interactive think tank sessions aimed at inspiring students to pursue research careers. Highlights included fabricating organic solar cells, operating advanced microscopes, racing simulated EV cars, and learning about Printed Solar and its recycling. Accredited by CIFAL Newcastle and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), students received formal recognition for their participation. The event, sponsored by Spruson & Ferguson Intellectual Property and the Australian National Fabrication Facility, saw students awarded for solar cell efficiency and EV racing. Following the event’s success, many students expressed interest in continuing their research journey with the COE.
COE, the University of Newcastle Australia 5:43
Learn more
News • 05 Jul 2021
Statement from the Chancellor
A university is by its very essence — universitas magistrorum et scholarium — a community of teachers and scholars and is the bedrock for higher teaching and learning; for research; for the discovery and development of new ideas – all for the betterment of individuals and society.
News • 24 Jun 2021
Graduation marks milestone for students on their academic journey
In recognition of their significant academic achievement, students across the University of Newcastle’s Callaghan and Ourimbah campuses will mark the culmination of their studies at graduation ceremonies over the next week.
News • 22 Jun 2021
Update on Chancellorship
The University of Newcastle announced today that Mr Paul Jeans has been reappointed as Chancellor, following the decision of the …
News • 21 Jun 2021
Update on Chancellor appointment
The Hon. Mark Vaile has reviewed his decision to take on the role of Chancellor of the University of Newcastle and has advised of his intention now not to proceed.
News • 17 Jun 2021
Tackling health issues at their origin with NEW1000 study
Researchers will study the human microbiome in pregnant women, fathers, and their children to determine the impact of a healthy microbiome on health outcomes.
News • 15 Jun 2021
Mark Hughes Foundation makes $7.5 million commitment to accelerating brain cancer research
The Mark Hughes Foundation has announced a $7.5 million, five-year philanthropic commitment to the University of Newcastle.
News • 15 Jun 2021
Hunter Region’s premier aquatic facility makes a splash at official reopening
The region’s premier swimming and aquatic facility reopened today, much to the delight of athletes, recreational swimmers, families, students, and the broader community.
News • 14 Jun 2021
Remarkable Australians recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours
The University of Newcastle congratulates all Australians recognised in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours, in particular those belonging to the University’s esteemed community.
News • 11 Jun 2021
Safe return of international students to Newcastle
Statement from Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky AO on the safe return of international students to Newcastle
News • 10 Jun 2021
Learn how to change the world through sustainable food
Current research focused on creating the next generation of sustainable food and nutrition services will be served up at the University of Newcastle’s Central Coast Campus on June 17 and 18.
News • 09 Jun 2021
2022 QS World Rankings
In a challenging year, the University of Newcastle has maintained its position among the world’s Top 200 universities in the prestigious 2022 QS World University Rankings.
News • 08 Jun 2021
National honour for Australia’s first Aboriginal surgeon
Renowned Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon and University of Newcastle Associate Professor Kelvin Kong, has been awarded the 2021 Australian Society for Medical Research (ASMR) Medal.
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.