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Our
vision & strategy

Charting the next chapter for UOW

A message from our new Vice-Chancellor

At the University of Wollongong, ambition has always been part of our DNA. From our origins as a small regional campus to our standing today as a globally recognised university, our progress has been powered by purpose, resilience and the people who’ve shaped our journey. 

As we celebrate 50 years of impact, we are also looking ahead with renewed clarity and shared ambition. 

Our Vision to 2035 and next Strategic Plan sets out a bold yet grounded direction for the years to come. They build on UOW’s strengths in education, research and community connection, and are underpinned by our commitment to excellence, equity and collaboration. Whether it’s advancing student success, driving regional progress or leading with global perspective, this plan is about turning shared purpose into meaningful progress. 

But equally important, if not more so, is how we shape that future – together. In the months ahead, we’ll be inviting feedback from our staff, students, alumni, industry and community partners. These conversations will help us refine and strengthen the plan to ensure it reflects the insights, aspirations and values of the people who make UOW what it is. 

This is an exciting moment for our University – a chance to imagine what’s possible and create a future that truly reflects the very best of UOW. 

Best regards,
Max 

Professor G.Q. Max Lu AO 
Vice-Chancellor and President 
University of Wollongong

Our Draft Vision 2035 & Strategic Plan 2030

With our current strategy concluding in 2025, we are laying the groundwork for a bold, inclusive and future-focused direction for UOW.

Purpose

To create and apply knowledge that empowers people, strengthens communities, drives social and economic growth and protects the future of our planet.

Vision 2035

UOW will be a top 100 global university – empowering student success, driving local progress, and leading with world-class research and teaching. We create impact that matters.

UOW Value Propositions

Our value propositions will build on our strong foundations and guide our priorities over the next five years and beyond. They will be our guiding light to keep us focused towards achieving our strategic ambitions.

Student experience and success

We are Australia’s leading university in student satisfaction, experience, and graduate outcomes, nurturing a sense of belonging and drive for life-long learning.

Local impact

We are a powerhouse for regional innovation, economic growth, and social impact – across the Illawarra and broader NSW.

Global connection and excellence

We are an interconnected, world leading institution with a long-standing international presence acknowledged for research and teaching excellence and societal impact.

Better together

We are strengthening how we work - fostering collaboration across the university and building trusted partnerships with our communities.

Next steps - be involved

Our Vision 2035 and Strategic Plan 2030 are currently in draft form and are being developed through a process of careful consultation and engagement. We welcome contributions that help shape the final direction. 

In the coming weeks, there will be opportunities for staff, students and alumni to learn more, provide feedback and contribute their ideas. 

If you would like to share additional thoughts, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Your input is valued and will help ensure the strategy reflects the breadth of perspectives across our university community.

Contact the Strategy Team at 2030-strategy@uow.edu.au

Our 2020 - 2025 Strategic Plan

Our 2020 - 2025 Strategic Plan has been developed to ensure UOW is positioned to rapidly adapt, respond and lead change.

2020 - 2025 Strategic Plan (PDF)

Our Values - Openness

Openness

We are driven and determined, yet collegial and ethical in all that we do. We are always looking to serve our communities and share our knowledge and expertise with them for mutual betterment.

Our Values - Diversity

Diversity

We aspire to set the standard for inclusiveness, diversity and equity. We welcome – and benefit from – the diversity of our communities within Australia and internationally. We will continue to champion Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reconciliation.

Our Values - Excellence

Excellence 

We work tirelessly to excel in our research and education, and to address complex, real-world problems in partnership with our communities.

Our Values - Recognition

Recognition

We celebrate the hard work and dedication of our staff, and recognise and reward their achievements. We expect all our staff to meet the challenges of our changing world by seizing opportunities that deliver continuous improvement.

Our Values - Empowerment

Empowerment

We celebrate the freedom to have different opinions and different ideas. We encourage the asking of difficult questions and discovery of innovative solutions.

Goal 1: Empowering students for their future

GOAL 1: Empowering students for their future

Renowned for innovative educational experiences that prepare students for the future of work. We will:

1.1 Transform our course portfolio.
1.2 Engage students as partners.
1.3 Develop our students as global citizens.
1.4 Provide sector-leading support for students.
1.5 Promote and reward teaching excellence.

GOAL 2: Creating knowledge for a better world

GOAL 2: Creating knowledge for a better world

Globally recognised for delivering impactful research that drives positive change. We will:

2.1 Invest in outstanding researchers.
2.2 Champion high-performing teams to tackle complex problems and global challenges.
2.3 Sustain best practice graduate research training.
2.4 Continue our focus on research quality, engagement and impact.
2.5 Transform how we deliver and track our research, innovation and impact.

GOAL 3: Making a difference for our communities

GOAL 3: Making a difference for our communities

Leveraging our unique regional perspective and transformative capabilities in the interests of society. We will:

3.1 Promote safe, respectful and socially inclusive communities.
3.2 Enhance our civic and social role by showcasing our impact with partners and community.
3.3 Drive transformative change through partnerships.
3.4 Increase employment opportunities through community and industry partnerships.
3.5 Embrace the circular economy and initiatives which promote environmental sustainability.

Transformative Priorities - Digitalisation

Digitalisation

Our digitalisation priority will see us pursue projects and redesign processes to enhance our digital capacity and teaching, learning and research practices.

Transformative Priorities - Growth

Growth

Our growth priority will see us continue to focus on the opportunities to differentiate our offerings and research to ensure our long-term financial sustainability

Transformative Priorities - Collaboration

Collaboration

Our collaborations priority will see us increase our strategic engagement with our industry partners, peers and communities to help address wicked problems that have impact for individuals and our world.

Strategic Enablers - People

People

Our students, academic and professional services staff drive our success and create our impact. Our workforce management strategies will attract and retain the best talent and continuously develop our people to create the re-imagined workforce of the future. We will invest in our people to provide them with the best tools to develop and expand their leadership and skills.

Strategic Enablers - Culture

Culture

Our culture will be characterised by excellence, collaboration, agility, nimbleness, and responsiveness to the market. Supported by flexible systems and processes we focus our efforts on creating positive change. We will continue to champion inclusion, diversity, and gender equity to create a welcoming environment for everyone.

Strategic Enablers - Infastructure

Infrastructure

Our globally networked learning and research experience will be enabled by state-of-the-art physical and digital infrastructure. Our physical and virtual presence will create a deep sense of belonging to UOW and demonstrate contemporary practices in safety and accessibility.

Strategic Enablers - Finance

Finance

Our focus on best practice resource management and diversifying of revenue streams will support our ongoing financial viability. We will inform and resource our student recruitment practices on the basis of market insights and evidence to optimise our enrolment and retention outcomes. We will continue to embed effective planning and reporting practices, ensuring transparency and optimal allocation of resources.

Our 2023-2025 Roadmap

The Roadmap is a short-term tactical plan that enables us to maximise outcomes against our existing strategy, allowing us to refocus our priorities in an uncertain environment whilst being flexible in our approach.​

UOW Roadmap Strategy 2023-2025

Goal 1: Empowering students for their future

Academic & Student Life

Renowned for delivering an exemplary student experience

Our 2025 objectives are to:

  1. Transform the UOW student experience through enhanced personalised support, improved efficiency of processes, re-energised campus life, and working with students as trusted partners.
  2. Innovate learning & teaching to focus on evolving student and societal needs.
  3. Develop transnational course offerings and learning opportunities for our students.

GOAL 2: Creating knowledge for a better world

Research & Sustainable Futures

Renowned for delivering impactful outcomes

Our 2025 objectives are to:

  1. Maximise the potential of every researcher (including HDR candidates).
  2. Connect our disciplinary research excellence to transdisciplinary and translational research endeavours that deliver impactful outcomes.
  3. Focus on thematic research strengths for greater investment, including recruitment strategies, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
  4. Alignment of the Academic Performance Framework and the Research Development Policy.
  5. Optimise the strategic planning, acquisition, utilisation and sustainability of our major research assets and infrastructure.

GOAL 3: Making a difference for our communities

Innovation, Enterprise & External Relations

Driving change, growth & prosperity for all

Our 2025 objectives are to:

  1. Develop and implement a Global Recruitment Strategy that utilises our international hubs and automation to maximise growth opportunities and reduce turnaround times.
  2. Develop and implement an Innovation Strategy with iAccelerate that fosters entrepreneurship, impact and greater connection between start-ups and academics.
  3. Develop and implement a Global Business Engagement Strategy across our campuses that delivers mutually beneficial opportunities across philanthropy, work integrated learning and research providing pathways and professional development.

Strategy & Assurance

An enterprise lens across risk, prioritisation, governance & strategy

Our 2025 objectives are to:

  1. Build a mature, analytical and accountable organisation, by creating an innovative, agile and resilient organisational and governance structure that advances our strategic objectives.
  2. Refocus and prioritise strategies, initiatives and data management to progress our core mission and ambitions.
  3. Deliver a best-in-class, proactive risk and quality assurance environment that drives enhancement and improvement across the institution and renews our reputation as an accountable, transparent and ethical organisation.

Strategic Enablers - Culture

Operations

Talent, systems & processes powering sustainability & performance

Our 2025 objectives are to:

  1. Implement transparent, inclusive and contemporary workforce management practices that engage employees in delivering an equitable, diverse, inclusive, safe and accountable workplace.
  2. Accelerate digital transformation while streamlining core business processes and addressing ‘fit-for-purpose’ issues with our major business systems through effective stakeholder engagement throughout the design, development and delivery phases.
  3. Progress towards UOW’s Carbon Neutrality commitment through reducing direct emissions and more efficient use of spaces.
  4. Return the University’s underlying operating result to a sustainable level.

Our Thematic Strategies

Key priorities have been developed into focused strategies to drive our impact.

UOW Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Strategy

The University of Wollongong is committed to Reconciliation and to inspiring a better future through education, research and partnership.

UOW Liverpool Growth Strategy (PDF)

UOW Liverpool is putting a world-class university education within reach, driving accessibility, participation and success for our communities in South Western Sydney.

UOW Regional Campus Strategy (PDF)

UOW strives to pave the road ahead and leverage our strengths to train and retain skilled graduates in the regions, providing pathways and professional development and welcoming the world to our regions.

Planning & Reporting Framework

The UOW Strategic Framework and its elements reflect the alignment and performance monitoring towards our goals.

Strategy Division (staff intranet)

Access resources, consultation information, event details and more via the Strategy Division Intranet site.

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