Reimagining our campuses

By reimagining our campuses, we will create an experience that connects us with society and our communities.

Our campuses will be digitally enabled, environmentally responsible, safe, vibrant, and accessible, adding a new dimension of engagement and collaboration beyond our physical boundaries for students, researchers and the world. Each of our campuses will have an identity that meets the specific needs of its surrounding regions and aligns with our Engagement Priorities.

Our Callaghan campus Our Callaghan campus

Priorities

Strategic priorities

Transform

Our digital and physical environments will be transformed into spaces, places and platforms that inspire and attract. Our campus environments will facilitate strategic partnerships and enable adaptive reuse of our facilities. With industry and community collocating on our campuses we will invigorate strategic partnerships and collaboration.

To a green campus

We will provide exemplar leadership in sustainable resource management. We will be a leader in sustainability outcomes and practices in our regions and the higher education sector, delivering a clear action path for positive change that will improve the University's environmental sustainability performance, and result in lasting financial and social benefits.

Through a connected experience

We will connect the University with our communities to create a vibrant experience accessible to all.

The student and staff campus experience will be enriched with personalised and digital experiences.

Initiatives

Key initiatives

Reposition existing estate

To ensure our campuses are purpose-driven, we will target investment in a smart and sustainable way. We will drive a refurbishment program focused on repurposing our existing environments to align with our four Engagement Priorities, and new ways of working, teaching and learning.

New partners, new uses

We will rethink the role our campuses play, identify new partners and create new uses for our campuses that are civic-minded and attract new populations. With our new development partners and enterprise collocation, we will have greater connection and interaction with our communities, industry partners and stakeholders, driving Career-Ready Placement opportunities and creating multidisciplinary research opportunities which transition to our partners.

Digital excellence

We will offer a personalised and seamless experience across our digital environment through developing an ecosystem of digital platforms that enable us to create a deep and rich learning experience that is open and accessible at any time. These platforms will open up our research capabilities, and enable sophisticated analytics to support strategic decision making.

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Places to live, learn, work and play

We will leverage our environments to deliver a multi-dimensional service that focuses on wellbeing and creating vibrant, connected communities, supported by digital social connections. We will create a feeling of connectedness to our University by providing reasons for students and the community to continually engage with us, physically and digitally. We will combine smart, personalised and inspiring experiences with a world-class program of events that create vibrant connected communities. We will pilot and scale a set of physical and digital solutions that enable collaboration and enhance staff experience.

Campus accessibility

Integral to the overall experience is how well we facilitate the movement within and between our campuses. Each campus has its own set of needs that require tailored responses. Across all campuses we can deliver smart solutions to optimise and personalise the travel and transport experience. We will work with government and industry partners to explore opportunities to connect our Callaghan campus with our region in a way that hasn't existed before, through the creation of a regional transport hub.

Sustainable campuses

In response to our communities' voice, we will build on our Environmental Sustainability Plan. We will implement environmental initiatives that work towards carbon neutrality, zero waste and leading water recycling strategies. Through our research, education and campus management strategies, we will lead our regions to a more sustainable future.

Progress

High-tech campus on the rise in Central Coast

High-tech campus on the rise in Central Coast

The opening of a new state-of-the-art University of Newcastle campus in Gosford is a step closer following the signing of the final agreement between the NSW Government and the University of Newcastle.

Hunter Region’s premier aquatic facility makes a splash at official reopening

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.

University of Newcastle unveils its future for creative studies, innovation and entrepreneurship at Honeysuckle

University of Newcastle unveils its future for creative studies, innovation and entrepreneurship at Honeysuckle

The University of Newcastle will soon welcome the region’s next generation of creative artists, songwriters, animators and innovators to its Honeysuckle City Campus site - with the handover of keys on the Q Building project this week.

Major milestone for Honeysuckle campus as sustainable build “tops out”

Major milestone for Honeysuckle campus as sustainable build “tops out”

The University of Newcastle’s first stage of its Honeysuckle City campus hit a major milestone today with the Stage 1A building ‘topping out’ and on track to be the first 6-star Green Star building for sustainable development in regional NSW.

International recognition for University’s green initiatives

International recognition for University’s green initiatives

The University of Newcastle has been awarded three of the eight 2020 Australasian ‘Green Gown Awards’ in the categories of Climate Action, Benefiting Society and Student Engagement.

Students given the creative lead to reimagine uni campuses

Students given the creative lead to reimagine uni campuses

The University of Newcastle has today announced the winning team and installation in its recently completed Design-a-Place Marker competition.

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Goals

Our
 2025
 goals

Excellence

Student and staff satisfaction with our physical and digital environments will increase, as measured through satisfaction surveys.

Equity

Our environments will be accessible to all through anywhere, anytime digital platforms, and an estate that responds to the needs of all in our community.

Engagement

Our environments will be used by staff, students, industry, partners and our communities at all times of the day and throughout the year.

Sustainability

We will be carbon emissions neutral by 2025.

Reimagining our campuses

Our campuses will be digitally enabled, environmentally responsible, safe, vibrant and accessible, adding a new dimension of engagement and collaboration beyond our physical boundaries.

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In focus

Digital sustainability

As a sustainable university, we have committed to responsible management of our digital resources including an organisation-wide commitment to cloud computing. We will minimise the need to have technology hardware on-site by providing a scalable solution to reduce the environmental impact of ongoing investment in physical technology and its maintenance, while also future-proofing our digital environment.

Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

3 - Good health and well-being4 - Quality education7 - Affordable and clean energy8 - Decent work and economic growth9 - Industry, innovation and infrastructure10 - Reduced inequalities11 - Sustainable cities and communities12 - Responsible consumption and production13 - Climate action

Traditional Custodians

The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal Nation, Darkinjung Nation, Biripai Nation, Worimi Nation, Wonnarua Nation and Eora Nation. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.

Looking Ahead

Looking Ahead

Strategic Plan 2020-2025

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Plan on a page

Plan on a page

Strategic Plan 2020-2025

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