A Vision Statement
for a South Australian
university for the future
March 2023
A message from the
Vice-Chancellors
University of South Australia: CRICOS provider number 00121B / Australian University provider number PRV12107
We believe that a unique opportunity now However, we believe that this is a once in a generation So, we would really appreciate hearing from you. We want the university to be of appropriate scale and
exists to transform the higher education opportunity to re-imagine and co-create a combined culture so that it can readily increase investment in
university which can be a true leader in Australia and This joint aspirational Vision Statement sets out skills and knowledge while remaining nimble to move
landscape in South Australia. admired globally for its outstanding impact. shared ambitions and clear aspirations for the new with the rapid pace of change.
university we believe our two organisations have the
In the context of the State Government’s higher education We are now actively exploring the creation of an opportunity to create. We want our future-making and partnered world-
policy, including a proposed merger commission, and outstanding comprehensive university that tackles global class research of scale and focus to transform our
issues with local importance. A university that, through Our vision is that this university for the future will be State’s economy and contribute to solving global
following deep deliberation by our respective Councils,
its actions, mission and intent, will work to address social the place for outstanding educators, researchers, challenges.
through an historic agreement and a Statement of
inequity and to underpin our future prosperity. thinkers, innovators and entrepreneurs, and that its
Cooperation with State and Federal governments, our
graduates will be among the most sought-after in Above all else, we want our State to be a place where
two universities have committed to explore how their
We are currently undertaking due diligence as part of a the world. education and innovation create and underpin a more
combination might bring together the best of our long
broader feasibility assessment to support consideration cohesive and prosperous society. It is our strongest
and proud histories with an ambitious vision for enhanced We want our new for-purpose university to put higher
of that co-created possible future by our decision-making hope that we can achieve that by working together.
future impact. education qualifications in reach of students from all
Councils later this year.
walks of life, breaking the cycle of inequality. Students We are seeking your feedback and look forward to
We know that our respective experiences, traditions and
The insights we have gathered to date speak to the great everywhere would be drawn to the university hearing your thoughts.
histories have served us exceptionally well as great South
potential of this opportunity. because of its outstanding student experience,
Australian institutions. Professor Peter B. Høj AC FAA FTSE
flexible study options and job pathways.
We know that the success of a new university will be Vice-Chancellor and President
wholly contingent on the commitment, expertise and We want it to deliver Australia’s most contemporary, The University of Adelaide
engagement of those who form its community. industry-informed curriculum, leading to jobs in areas
of future demand and partnering with employers and Professor David G. Lloyd C Chem FRSC FTSE
end-users to produce outstanding graduates. Vice-Chancellor and President
University of Adelaide: CRICOS provider number 00123M / Australian University provider number PRV12105
University of South Australia
2 VISION STATEMENT 3 VISION STATEMENT
The national higher Our shared vision for the
education context university for the future
University of South Australia: CRICOS provider number 00121B / Australian University provider number PRV12107
The Australian Government has committed Building the requisite skills base is critical for our State, In considering the combination of our institutions to Both our universities are nationally and globally
to establishing an Australian Universities particularly when our levels of tertiary education create a university for the future, our guiding premise respected institutions which undertake world-class
attainment currently lag the national average. was that any future university must be built to be research and have educated hundreds of thousands
Accord to drive reform in Australia’s higher transformative and to have significant impacts for SA, to create an outstanding cohort of alumni. We have
education system. International education is also an important economic Australia, and globally. each emerged from the shock of the pandemic
driver for our State. It is South Australia’s largest service in positions of relative financial and institutional
export, valued at $1.4 billion and supporting 11,800 jobs Accordingly, we have envisaged the creation of an strength. Separately, the future of each of our
The Accord will be informed by a comprehensive expert
across South Australia in 2021-22. institution which, when operating, would satisfy a universities would continue to build incrementally on
review which, in broad terms, seeks to establish how
clear shared Vision Statement. Our university for the that strength.
Australia’s higher education system can best meet the Our universities are also drivers and leaders in our future, if manifest, must reflect itself in the following:
current and future needs of the nation. State’s cultural and social strength through their public Combining the strengths of our institutions could, in
engagement and contribution to our intellectual, cultural our view, unlock benefits far beyond collaboration
The Accord process will include an examination of Australia’s new for-purpose university is
and civic life. and scale, making transformational investments
those structural and mission adjustments which may be
a leading contemporary comprehensive in both teaching and research more feasible than
necessary to sustain the Australian higher education Notwithstanding the individual strengths of our two
system over the next three decades – including the university of global standing. We are they would be for each institution individually.
universities, our smaller comparative size to interstate
potential for institutional amalgamation. At this point in institutions means we inherently lack the necessary
dedicated to ensuring the prosperity, These investments, once realised, would make the
time, we believe the goals and ambitions articulated for wellbeing and cohesion of society combined university a stronger magnet for domestic
scale for sustainable investment, an advantage which is
the university for the future would be well aligned with the and international students, as well as for creative and
increasingly open to many of our counterparts. by addressing educational inequality
outcomes of the Accord process. talented staff – creating a flywheel which would drive
through our actions and through the a step change compared to where our institutions are
If we can attain appropriate scale with increased support
from government, we can realise our goal to improve
success and impact of our students, separately today.
The changing context of higher access to higher education, to create a destination staff and alumni. Partnered with the
education in South Australia for leading research and study and to strengthen the communities we serve, we conduct
University of Adelaide: CRICOS provider number 00123M / Australian University provider number PRV12105
foundations of our community through education. outstanding future-making research of
Collectively, the three South Australian public universities
Put simply, combining the strengths of our two institutions
scale and focus.
educate over 65,000 full-time equivalent students each
provides an opportunity to achieve more quickly than
year, including over 10,000 from low SES backgrounds
either university could achieve separately in the longer At a more granular level, the key elements of our
and 20,000 from overseas.
term. shared vision and impact are as follows:
Our universities undertake research that addresses South
Australia’s priorities including the creation and attraction Combined, we believe we can build a university
of new enterprises and associated jobs and deliver a which seizes the opportunity that lies before us.
future workforce including the State’s doctors, nurses,
dentists, engineers, scientists, teachers, academics,
economists, lawyers, health workers, agriculturists,
anthropologists, veterinarians, agronomists, and many
other professionals.
It is forecast that nine in 10 jobs of the future will require
post-school qualifications. At least 50% of these are
expected to require a bachelor’s degree or higher.
4 VISION STATEMENT 5 VISION STATEMENT
Our combined institution and its graduates
should be ready to shape the future of our
State, our nation and the world
University of South Australia: CRICOS provider number 00121B / Australian University provider number PRV12107
The future university would pride itself on offering Every course in our university for the future
Australia’s most accessible, contemporary and would have a digital underpinning.
future-focused teaching and learning experience to
both domestic and international students. We would have a sophisticated digital delivery
capability to enable an enhanced and consistent
We would aim to be ranked top in Australia for student learning experience for students – regardless of
employment outcomes and in the top 5 for student their physical location – and an overall mix of delivery
experience. modalities for their educational experience.
To achieve this, we would design and deliver a digital, We want our online curriculum to be the highest
modular, adaptable, and stackable curriculum, quality in Australia – and we would aim to deliver
creating more flexibility for students than ever before inclusive online education to more students than any
in how they choose to study, and more opportunities other Australian university.
For tens of thousands of years, First Nations Combined, we would be ranked in the top
for flexible entry and graduation paths. 1 per cent of universities globally – and
Combined, we would forever transform the role Aboriginal people in Australia and in South
Australia have come together to teach, create would work confidently to be recognised
Combined, we would deliver a comprehensive that Australian universities play in providing
and discover knowledge. Our universities among the world’s top 100 universities on an
contemporary curriculum across a range of fields of equity and access to higher education for all.
today are wholly committed to reconciliation ongoing and sustainable basis.
study for lifelong knowledge seekers and aim for the
Equity and excellence are wholly compatible and addressing generations of injustice, but
future university to participate in as many fields of Our research focus would be multi-disciplinary,
– knowledge and the capacity for successful we believe this is only the beginning. Our future
study as we individually do today. partnered and dynamically informed by South
learning know no borders, race or class. We would university would work to embed Aboriginal
University of Adelaide: CRICOS provider number 00123M / Australian University provider number PRV12105
ways of knowing, being and learning across Australia’s evolving economic and social
We would develop a particular focus on programs aim for more students from low socioeconomic
our activities and would aim to become the priorities including:
which respond to South Australia’s and the nation’s backgrounds to learn and complete degrees at our
skills shortages, and which are connected to new university than at any other higher education university of choice for First Nations Peoples
• defence and national security
industries central to our economic growth. institution in Australia. across Australia.
• space and advanced technologies
Our programs would be integrated with industry Through both our physical reach across South Combined, we would aim to be globally • energy and resources
and create the opportunity for students of all levels Australia, as well as our commitment to innovative recognised as Australia’s leading future-
• food and food security
and fields to engage with industry, including through online education, we would aim to become one of the making research university.
• health and wellbeing
placements or internships. nation’s top five educators of students in regional and
rural areas. The university would work across the full • emerging and critical technologies
Every student at the university would have an value chain of research – from discovery to • creative and cultural industries.
experience of entrepreneurship during their program. translation and commercialisation – and across
a breadth of domains from science, technology,
We would teach what we research, embedding We believe that close collaboration with industry,
engineering and maths to the humanities and
key research topics and methodologies into the driven by a strong fundamental capability, would
social sciences. It would achieve recognition for
curriculum. secure further investment from government,
delivering world-class research in areas that are
business and private stakeholders, elevating
a high priority for the State.
Category 2-4 research funding in the future.
6 VISION STATEMENT 7 VISION STATEMENT
We would aim for our university to be ranked number
one in Australia for industry income in research or for
The shape of our
commercialisation outcomes future university
University of South Australia: CRICOS provider number 00121B / Australian University provider number PRV12107
We would aim to become a destination of choice for The university would encourage commercialisation and From its first day of operation, which is Our path to a future university
the best global researchers, innovators, thinkers and entrepreneurship across all sectors and build a highly intended to be 1 January 2026, the new
entrepreneurs in our priority areas, driving in-depth, and connected and integrated pipeline of research activities Based on the outcome of their consideration of
the highest quality of, multi-disciplinary research at scale and workforce development from discovery to translation.
university would be one of Australia’s
the feasibility assessment currently underway, the
in domains of focus, and to provide appropriate training largest, most comprehensive and two Councils will decide in mid-2023 whether they
support, attracting and sustaining leading academics Our university would work with Australian and global engaged institutions. should proceed with the next steps towards an
and their teams to the university to drive excellence in industries to understand, shape and address the most amalgamation.
research and education. important questions and challenges facing society.
The Councils have agreed several key matters
If the universities proceed towards an amalgamation,
Our university would deliver leading higher degree by Importantly, the university would – in its own right – including the name of the university for the future -
the subsequent transition would aim to minimise
research programs to supply the higher degree qualified become an economic powerhouse for the State. On day Adelaide University.
impact and disruption for students, staff and partners
researchers across broad discipline areas necessary one, the university would be the largest services exporter while building a new, progressive and innovative new
in South Australia and among the largest exporters overall. Additional details are outlined in the Statement of
to drive the development of the State and nation’s institution.
Cooperation.
knowledge-intensive industries, such as hi-tech, defence,
Through driving further attraction of both international This would be done collaboratively, transparently
health and biomedical science, and maximising the The future university would be formed on three
students and talented researchers, the university would and efficiently and with the deep involvement of our
opportunity for translation and spill-over of research into strategic pillars:
grow as a magnet for attracting the best and brightest communities in co-creating the future institution
industry.
global citizens to the State. which can best deliver our shared ambition.
1. Teaching and learning
Combined, the university would become Australia’s 2. Research
The combined university would present particular The combined university would ultimately be
most connected – partnered with the communities
opportunities for private sector investment to energise the 3. Engagement formed through legislation of the South Australian
it serves and an engine for innovation and economic
Adelaide CBD precincts around our campuses through Parliament. It would also be subject to legal and
development.
attracting more companies to South Australia and their regulatory approvals.
As South Australia continues the decades-long shift of research and development activities.
University of Adelaide: CRICOS provider number 00123M / Australian University provider number PRV12105
its economy towards knowledge-intensive industries, This would be a significant and complex undertaking,
Adelaide would become an even more cosmopolitan, which, while it could make some quick gains, would
universities will become ever more central to driving
globally connected city, benefiting from an increase in take years to realise its full potential.
economic and equitable growth. There is the potential for
international students who bring with them their ideas
the step change made as a university to translate into a
and culture, creating an attractive, open, vibrant place to High-level timeline
step change for our knowledge-intensive industries.
live and work. Our broad regional footprint would ensure
workforce, diversity, research and innovation needs are Dec 2022 Statement of Cooperation signed
Through the transformational investments that we could
met across the State. Business case and feasibility stage
make in learning, teaching and research, we would build
commences
deeper engagement between the combined university,
Combined, we would be financially sustainable,
industry and government to create Australia’s most Jun 2023 Findings presented to university
stronger, and better able to invest.
connected university – maximising the translation of Councils for decision
every dollar invested for the value of the South Australian Detailed projections of the financial outcomes capable of
community and its economic and social wellbeing. the combined university suggest that the university could Mid-2023 Decision point
generate substantial and sustainable operating surpluses
The university would aim to increase the number of South Jul 2023 If a decision to proceed is taken,
over the medium to longer term, with capacity to support
Australians employed in high-value, high-wage jobs which and relevant legal and regulatory
ongoing investment in the university’s ambitious strategic
require a bachelor degree or higher, and to increase the approvals are obtained, detailed
priorities.
measured economic complexity of the South Australian transition planning commences
economy.
Jan 2026 Combined university operational
8 VISION STATEMENT 9 VISION STATEMENT
Your opportunity
to engage
University of South Australia: CRICOS provider number 00121B / Australian University provider number PRV12107
This Vision Statement from the Vice-Chancellors outlines a shared ambition and goals for a combined
university for the future in South Australia.
We (the universities) are inviting our communities to help further
shape this vision by answering these key questions:
What should be the priorities What should success look
for the combined university’s like and what’s required to
mission? deliver it?
Where would you prioritise What challenges and risks do
investment for greatest you envisage would need to
impact? be overcome?
University of Adelaide: CRICOS provider number 00123M / Australian University provider number PRV12105
We ask you to please share your thoughts at:
The University of Adelaide University of South Australia
Online: ua.edu.au/futureuni Online: unisa.edu.au/futureuni
Email us: futureuni@adelaide.edu.au Email us: futureuni@unisa.edu.au
Other opportunities to share views will be promoted to our diverse stakeholder groups.
