UPDATE: The University of New England (UNE) has just announced a transformative new direction aimed at strengthening community ties, as outlined in its strategic plan for 2026-2035, titled Connecting Individual Aspirations to Community Outcomes. Vice-Chancellor Professor Chris Moran emphasized the urgent need for universities to adapt to changing educational landscapes, stating that the conventional university experience is rapidly evolving.
In a compelling shift, UNE plans to prioritize community engagement over traditional academic structures. Professor Moran remarked, “The main thing here is to shift the university’s attention far more towards our communities than the university itself.” This change comes as over 85 percent of UNE’s students now participate in distance education, reflecting a broader trend in higher education accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Professor Moran noted that the university aims to attract more mature-age students who seek flexible learning opportunities. “We understand that [these] people need to work, they have families,” he said. This contrasts sharply with the outdated notion of students leaving school to attend university for three years without considering their life circumstances.
This new approach follows a critical mistake UNE made in response to industry feedback in 2022 and 2023 when it offered a series of short courses without adequately aligning community interests with industry needs. “We listened to the needs of industry and said, ‘Here’s a bunch of short courses and pathways into degree options for them’,” Professor Moran explained. Unfortunately, the community response was minimal, highlighting the importance of a more integrated educational strategy.
To illustrate this change, UNE plans to facilitate work placements for students in health degrees, enabling them to gain real-world experience while studying. “We would like to help people be more able to be involved in the areas that they want to work in while they’re getting their degree,” Moran stated.
The construction of UNE’s first campus in Tamworth is on track for completion by 2027, marking a significant step toward this community-focused approach. Professor Moran shared exciting updates from the site, saying, “I was down there last week and was very happy to see what I call yellow goods [construction machinery] making their way around the site.” Contracts are being signed, and all subcontractors involved thus far are local suppliers from Tamworth.
Initially, the new campus will emphasize programs in health science, psychology, nursing, and social work, with potential discussions on adding music and the music business, recognizing Tamworth’s rich musical heritage.
As UNE embarks on this pivotal journey, the university’s commitment to connecting education with community needs could reshape the future of learning in the region. With the strategic plan now in motion, all eyes will be on how UNE adapts and thrives in this new educational landscape.
Stay tuned for further updates as UNE continues to redefine its role in the community and higher education at large.
