Dear colleagues
Last month I travelled to Walgett in north-western NSW for the opening of the new Galuma-li community space of the Dharriwaa Elders Group, our partners in the community-led Yuwaya Ngarra-li program. It was an inspiring visit. Galuma-li, which means ‘Care for’ in the Gamilaraay language, offers a welcoming hub in the heart of town that supports community connection and belonging, reduces contact with the criminal justice system and improves the wellbeing of children and young people.
Since the partnership began in 2016 following collaboration on a research study, UNSW has been working with the Dharriwaa Elders Group developing, implementing and evaluating initiatives that respond to locally identified priorities in Walgett. What makes this partnership exceptional is how deeply it’s rooted in local vision and knowledge. The Dharriwaa Elders’ vision guides Yuwaya Ngarra-li’s sophisticated, systems-focused approach, with UNSW contributing expertise across food and water security, engineering, public health, disaster recovery, criminology and housing. It’s a wonderful example of community-led collaboration built over more than a decade and what can be achieved by working together.
Dharriwaa Elders Group (DEG) River Ranger Tyrin Hickey, Walgett Community College primary school captain and Galuma-li regular Richard Dennis, UNSW Vice-Chancellor & President Professor Attila Brungs, DEG Elders Council Speaker Sandra Suey-Thorne, DEG Community Response Lead Vanessa Hickey with the 3D printer contributed by UNSW for use at Galuma-li.
DEG's Bow Simpson, Prof. Attila Brungs, DEG's Community Response Lead Vanessa Hickey, UNSW Deputy Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Professor Leanne Holt, UNSW Director of Government Relations Robin Schuck, UNSW Yuwaya Ngarra-li Director Associate Professor Ruth McCausland and Senior Research Fellow Peta MacGillivray visiting the Walgett weir.
(Back): Stephen Dennis, Bow Simpson, Peta MacGillivray, Vanessa Hickey, Prof. Attila Brungs, (front): Andrea Hadaway and A/Prof. Ruth McCausland at Yulambiirr on the Ngamaay (Namoi) River.
Pictured top of page: Prof. Leanne Holt, Peta MacGillivray, A/Prof. Ruth McCausland, Andrea Hadaway, Prof. Attila Brungs listening to Ernie Sands, DEG Elders Council Director discuss grave concerns about changes to Walgett's rivers over recent decades.
UNSW Health Translation Hub: construction complete
Plenary Group Head of Property, Asia Pacific, George Rolfe, UNSW Chief Property Officer Tim Beattie, UNSW Pro Vice-Chancellor Precincts Professor Zoe Terpening, UNSW Provost Professor Vlado Perkovic, Plenary Group Head of Development Sergio Calcaro, and UNSW Vice-Chancellor & President Professor Attila Brungs at the UNSW Health Translation Hub.
I recently had the opportunity to tour the UNSW Health Translation Hub (HTH), with construction now complete and operations scheduled to begin in November. This is an exciting milestone which demonstrates UNSW’s strategy in action – partnering with industry and government to deliver research and education that enable healthier lives.
When fully operational, HTH will bring together researchers, clinicians, educators, private industry and public health officials, leading to innovative research outcomes, enhanced education opportunities, improved patient care and better community health outcomes.
Research at the HTH will focus on precision and personalised medicine, advanced therapeutics, health systems and equity, new models of care, ageing well, mental health and cancer. The collaborative spaces within HTH will enable a unique interdisciplinary student experience and direct collaboration with industry, clinical communities and the public.
This world-class facility will enable our students to learn side-by-side with some of Australia’s brightest researchers, clinicians and health innovators, giving them unrivalled opportunities to engage in interdisciplinary education that has real-world impact. Read more on the UNSW Newsroom.
NSW RNA Research and Training Network
RNA research, training and commercialisation in NSW is gaining strong momentum with the launch of the $17.6 million NSW RNA Research and Training Network (NSW RRTN).
UNSW is leading this major state-wide initiative to build sovereign RNA research and workforce capability.
The NSW‑RRTN is a collaborative effort among 12 NSW and ACT universities, administered by UNSW, to support research, training and strategic initiatives in RNA science and tech.
It forms a key component of the NSW Government’s $119 million RNA R&D Program, aimed at building a world‑class RNA ecosystem and supporting a pipeline of pilot projects.
The network will equip researchers and students with skills and partnerships to deliver RNA‑based solutions to some of society’s most urgent health and biosecurity challenges. Read more on the UNSW Newsroom.
Academic Calendar transition update
Planning for the Academic Calendar transition is well underway with consultation happening throughout the University. The Academic Calendar team has been actively supporting early planning through faculty-specific workshops and broad engagement across campuses. They’ve participated in Town Halls and school events, with staff from divisions also closely involved.
I’m currently halfway through visiting each faculty to meet with colleagues and provide updates on various University matters including Academic Calendar. It’s been encouraging to see strong engagement and thoughtful discussion around the transition. The Provost and members of the Academic Calendar team have also joined several of these Town Hall sessions which have been a terrific forum to answer questions and discuss the changes and their implementation.
The new flex-semester Academic Calendar is designed to support and enable the broader UNSW Strategy: Progress for All. Read more about the flex-semester transition in this edition of Inside UNSW.
National Industry PhD Program success
UNSW continues to demonstrate leadership in industry-engaged research, with five projects secured under the National Industry PhD Program (NIPhD). The successful projects address real-world challenges in sport, finance, mining and health. Congratulations to Dr Nattai Borges (Medicine & Health), Professor Jerry Parwada (Business), Scientia Professor David Waite, (Engineering) and Associate Professor Sara Grafenauer (Medicine & Health).
Since 2023, UNSW has secured 15 projects under the program, reinforcing our position at the forefront of HDR impact and innovation. Read more in Inside UNSW.
There’s more to read Inside UNSW…
- The Term 2 myExperience survey is open until Thursday 14 August. Find out how to get the most out of this feedback opportunity.
- We are developing a University-wide Indigenous Cultural & Intellectual Property (ICIP) Protocol to guide the respectful and authentic incorporation of Indigenous Knowledges and Perspectives into courses, research, events and activities. Your participation in the questionnaire will help shape this important work.
- Following the close of nominations for the 2025 Vice-Chancellor’s Awards, you have the chance to read the nominations and vote for the person or team who inspires you most. Voting for People’s Choice closes on Monday 11 August.
- The staff profile is always an enjoyable read, offering a glimpse into the lives of our colleagues. In this edition we meet Associate Professor Justine Rogers, a legal academic and comedian, who shows that the two are not mutually exclusive – when it comes to law and laughter, she’s always ready to stand up.
- Our new AI Insider feature continues in this edition with Professor Will Cornwell sharing how AI has impacted his work in biodiversity and conservation.
- UNSW has seven finalists in the 2025 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, the nation’s premier science awards recognising scientific excellence. The 2025 Eureka Prize winners will be announced on Wednesday 3 September. Congratulations and good luck to all the finalists.
Please join me in welcoming Tobi Wilson to UNSW. Tobi began as Vice-President, Operations and Chief Operating Officer yesterday.
Best regards
Attila
Professor Attila Brungs
Vice-Chancellor & President
- Log in to post comments