Dear colleagues
I’m pleased to introduce a new fortnightly feature in Inside UNSW – AI Insider. Each issue will highlight an AI-related story from across our faculties and divisions, as well as our own AI Institute. It will also keep you up to date with news from UNSW IT, so our community can better understand, become familiar with, and confidently take advantage of the responsible adoption of AI. We are privileged at UNSW to have world-leading experts in AI like Professor Toby Walsh, Laureate Fellow and Scientia Professor of Artificial Intelligence in the School of Computer Science and Engineering, who is the subject of our first AI Insider. Toby’s work is an excellent example of how we are working to ensure that AI is adopted responsibly and that people everywhere can benefit from its use.
Toby recently returned from NATO’s 50th birthday summit in The Hague, where he participated in meetings of the Global Commission on the Responsible Use of AI in the Military, which leads international discussions on establishing standards for military AI applications. Read about the responsible use of AI in the military, what areas of AI excite Toby and what he thinks are areas of legitimate concern, in this issue of Inside UNSW.
Australia–China CEO Roundtable
I was honoured to join the eighth Australia–China CEO Roundtable in Beijing this week. The Roundtable was co-hosted by the Business Council of Australia and the China Development Bank, and sponsored by the Premier of China and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on his official visit to China.
I took the opportunity to emphasise the important role that educational exchanges and innovation collaborations play between our two nations, paving the way for deeper understanding and closer economic relations. I shared examples of the world-class education and research UNSW is undertaking in existing and emerging fields including lifelong learning, the green economy, water, healthcare and smart agriculture. I highlighted the myriad opportunities to build partnerships between universities and industry with tangible outcomes for not just both our nations, but people around the world more broadly. We are already working together to address climate change, one of the most pressing global challenges of our time.
I underlined that universities like UNSW are keen to broaden our partnerships with government and businesses to help meet the skills needs of industry, government departments, community organisations and individuals for new and emerging professions and roles. Further, I emphasised that international education enables important people-to-people connections, nurturing cultural exchange that helps build strong relations between our nations.
Lifelong learning is increasingly important to meet the demands of changing economies, markets and societies and to boost productivity. I conveyed that UNSW already teaches tens of thousands of students in Australia and China through microcredentials and online learning. I highlighted that as both nations work on ensuring the best healthcare for our people, collaboration on lifelong learning is the only way we can support the evolution of the healthcare system and ensure the health workplace has all the new skills to exploit the incredible technological surge in health we are seeing.
I look forward to exploring further opportunities to enhance cooperation in education, research and engagement with partners in China who share the UNSW mission of Progress for All. Together, we can create social and economic value for people in our two nations and beyond.
Green Fellowship program to attract world’s best
I’m pleased to share details of UNSW’s Green Fellowship program, named in honour of solar pioneer Scientia Professor Martin Green, who led the development of much of the technology underpinning solar panels. The scheme will award up to 12 fellowships to international researchers whose work aligns with the Impact Focus Areas of UNSW’s Strategy. The Green Fellows will not only benefit from world-class facilities and a supportive academic environment but also contribute to UNSW’s mission of Progress for All, working together to create sustainable solutions and transform lives.
By bringing these top-tier researchers to Australia, we hope to accelerate research in clean energy, economic resilience, health outcomes and social cohesion, and drive positive societal change. This program underscores UNSW’s dedication to addressing grand challenges through international collaboration and impact-driven research. Read more on the UNSW Newsroom.
Australian Research Council recognises UNSW researchers
The Australian Research Council (ARC) has awarded funding to a number of UNSW researchers whose work is creating meaningful benefits to both national and global communities.
Professor Chuan Zhao, Professor Sean Li and Professor Xiaojing Hao have received a share of $11.2 million as part of the ARC’s 2025 Australian Laureate Fellowship scheme for their work in green hydrogen production, the development of materials for faster, more efficient computer chips, and creation of new solar cell materials that can capture more energy from sunlight.
Scientia Professor Ewa Goldys from the Faculty of Engineering has received $3.9 million over five years under the ARC’s Industry Fellowships Program, recognising her excellence in biophotonics. Professor Goldys was awarded the prestigious ARC Industry Laureate Fellowship to develop low-cost water testing technologies with environmental and commercial impact.
Associate Professor Vinh Nguyen from the Faculty of Science has secured $1.18 million through the ARC’s Mid-Career Industry Fellowships scheme to advance his work creating innovative chemical methods to develop new and improved medicines.
The following mid-career researchers have been awarded a total of more than $8.2 million in ARC Future Fellowships for projects that address national and international priorities spanning fields from cybersecurity to transport emissions reduction:
- Professor Tema Milstein (UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture)
- Associate Professor Alina Ostafe (UNSW Science)
- Associate Professor Meead Saberi (UNSW Engineering)
- Dr Siqi Ma (UNSW Canberra)
- Dr Peter Wich (UNSW Engineering)
- Dr Miriam Matamales (UNSW Science)
- Dr Xin Cao (UNSW Engineering).
These projects exemplify UNSW’s commitment to cutting-edge research that delivers tangible, real‑world benefits for communities, the environment and industry. Congratulations to all involved.
UNSW Strategy: Progress for All implementation update
Implementation of the UNSW Strategy: Progress for All is underway and every member of the UNSW community has a part to play in helping it become a reality.
A dedicated Strategy Office led by Executive Director Vinita Chanan has been established in the Office of the Provost to coordinate planning and support to drive the strategy’s delivery.
This year is the foundational year of the 10-year strategy which will be delivered in three trienniums, with a Strategy Implementation Playbook currently being developed. Read more about the strategy implementation in Inside UNSW.
There’s more to read Inside UNSW…
- Did you know UNSW is one of the nation’s top domestic patent filers? UNSW’s filed patents span fields including quantum and semiconductor sensing, clean fuel injection systems, advanced AI-based hazard detection, recyclable materials for solar energy and DNA diagnostics for health and environment.
- Congratulations to Dr Vipul Agarwal, Mr Kai Zhao, Dr Ziheng Liu and Dr Aous Naman who have been awarded a total of $7.88 million in funding through Australia’s Economic Accelerator Innovate program for their engineering projects spanning plastics recycling, clean energy and manufacturing.
- This edition’s staff profile is Professor Maree Toombs, Medicine & Health's Deputy Dean Indigenous, one of Australia' s foremost experts on Indigenous mental health.
- Everyone in our University community plays a part in keeping our campuses safe – see the tips in UNSW’s new series of security awareness videos.
- I encourage you to join me in this month’s Choose to reuse challenge, an initiative to reduce single-use packaging led by the Environmental Sustainability team in Estate Management.
I am fortunate to be spending time today and yesterday with the Dharriwaa Elders Group, our partners in the Yuwaya Ngarra-li program in Walgett, north-western NSW (pictured top).
I’m sorry to have missed catching up with many of you at the Pastry for All event yesterday, which was to brighten the mid-week winter’s day. I hope it was as enjoyable as it promised to be, and you had the opportunity to not only catch up with work friends but perhaps meet a new colleague at UNSW.
Best regards
Attila
Professor Attila Brungs
Vice-Chancellor & President
- Log in to post comments