Dear colleagues
Over the past fortnight we have had a number of invaluable opportunities to demonstrate the transformative education and innovative research that is having a positive impact on society in some very tangible ways. We were pleased to welcome two federal Ministers to campus. Minister for Education the Hon. Jason Clare MP, a strong advocate for access to education, applauded our Gateway Program, which is widening access and success for underrepresented students. Senator the Hon. Tim Ayres, Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science, met representatives from our quantum research spinouts, including Diraq and SQC, and our AI Institute. These are leading examples of our University’s world-class research and capabilities in technologies that are already crafting the future. UNSW is privileged to have thousands of talented colleagues engaged in life-changing education and research programs like these, and the potentially life-saving iFire collaboration with Fire + Rescue NSW that you can read about below.
AI-based training puts firies in the hot seat
Last week I attended the launch of the AI-based Immersive Fire training module developed by UNSW’s iCinema Centre in collaboration with Fire + Rescue NSW (FRNSW).
The training module is being delivered in the 3D Immersive Cinema installed at FRNSW’s Emergency Services Academy in Orchard Hills. It represents a key milestone in the five-year agreement between our two organisations to develop world-leading fire training and research, using advanced AI and visualisation technology. The technology allows firefighters and emergency responders to engage with dynamic and unpredictable fire scenarios in a controlled environment, enhancing responder preparedness and decision-making, and potentially saving lives.
The iFire system has garnered significant international attention following demonstrations in Melbourne and London, underscoring the leadership roles of both FRNSW and UNSW in addressing the real-world impacts of climate change. This initiative is a wonderful example of the way our University is combining creativity and technology to advance our mission of Progress for All.
UNSW researchers to develop immersive fireground training with Fire and Rescue NSW.
Pictured above L-R: UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs, Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell AFSM, FRNSW Chief Superintendent Training Capability Phillip Etienne AFSM, Dean of UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture Professor Claire Annesley and Executive Director, iCinema Centre for Interactive Cinema Research Scientia Professor Dennis Del Favero.
Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer appointed
I am pleased to share that Tobi Wilson has been appointed Vice-President, Operations and Chief Operating Officer (COO). Tobi joins UNSW with extensive experience in leading complex operations and driving transformational change across large organisations. Since 2019, he has served as Chief Executive of the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD), leading a workforce of more than 11,000 staff and managing a multi-billion dollar budget. Under his leadership, the district has delivered public health services to nearly one million people along the eastern seaboard of Sydney.
As Vice-President, Operations and COO, Tobi will oversee UNSW’s Finance, IT, Estate Management, People & Culture, Enterprise Data and Enterprise Portfolio Management Office functions. He will play a critical role in supporting our strategic ambition of Progress for All, ensuring that UNSW’s operations are modern, people-centred, and enable our academic and research excellence.
I would like to acknowledge and thank Libby Stratford, Tim Beattie, Chrissy Burns and Gemma Martin for the superlative job they have done acting in the role over the past few months. Tobi will commence on Monday, 4 August 2025.
Committee for Sydney: building our city’s competitive advantage
Last Monday I had the privilege of joining a Committee for Sydney panel to discuss what Sydney must do to continue to increase productivity and be a globally competitive environment which can attract world-class investment and talent amid rapid technological and economic change. The discussion explored the conditions necessary to build long-term economic resilience, build broad-based productivity improvements and to position Sydney as a global hub for productivity, innovation and growth across key strategic sectors.
During the discussion, I highlighted the importance of growing our skills base and increasing innovation so Australia can build a competitive advantage in new industries– which will ultimately mean greater prosperity for all. Australia’s universities hold the levers of innovative research and skill building that are crucial for reigniting national productivity, which has trailed behind other OECD countries for far too long.
The federal government’s five pillars of productivity acknowledge the need for Australia to build a more dynamic and resilient economy, with greater economic complexity, and capitalise on emerging features of our economy such as data and digital technologies, as well as the net-zero transition. Too often however, productivity growth is concentrated in only a couple of sectors and the benefits are not distributed to all segments of society. As a University our role is to align with these opportunities and push for solutions to the more complex productivity challenge – to improve the standard of living for all people. It’s about growing the pie instead of competing over our share of a smaller pie.
UNSW’s nine ARC Linkage Grants scoop the pool
Congratulations to our nine colleagues who together received more than $4.6 million in the latest round of Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage grants. UNSW topped the nation in the number of grants awarded to any single university, demonstrating not only our deep capabilities in solving global challenges but our collaborative culture. Linkage Projects are focused on delivering real-world outcomes for Australia by fostering links between researchers and partners in industry, government and the community sector.
The UNSW projects are excellent examples of real-world impact in keeping with our strategic mission of Progress for All. Please join me in commending our colleagues from the faculties of Arts, Design & Architecture, Engineering and Science for their work to generate tangible benefits from innovative research.
- Dr Naama Blatman-Thomas (UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture)
- Emeritus Professor Stephen Foster (UNSW Engineering)
- Scientia Professor Alexander Hamilton (UNSW Science)
- Scientia Professor Xiaojing Hao (UNSW Engineering)
- Professor Wen Hu (UNSW Engineering)
- Associate Professor Wengui Li (UNSW Engineering)
- Professor Michael Manefield (UNSW Engineering)
- Associate Professor Christopher Marquis (UNSW Science)
- Professor Bing-Jie Ni (UNSW Engineering)
You can read more about their Linkage Projects on the Newsroom.
There’s more to read Inside UNSW…
- Congratulations to Professor Chris Goodnow of UNSW Sydney's Cellular Genomics Futures Institute, winner of the 2025 Max Cooper Prize in Immunology. The prestigious award recognises his research which has had a global impact in unlocking how immune tolerance works.
- This week is Annual Disclosures Week which requires staff to disclose any conflicts of interest, foreign affiliations and paid outside work. Please ensure you complete a Disclosure of Interests form, even if you have nothing to declare. Completing the form supports a culture of openness and accountability and is vital for the safety and security of our University.
- The theme of last week’s NAIDOC Week, ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy’, continues on campus with a special NAIDOC Week celebration event, hosted by the Faculty of Medicine & Health on Wednesday 23 July.
- In this edition’s staff profile we meet Sen Zhao translator turned creative storyteller.
Best regards
Attila
Professor Attila Brungs
Vice-Chancellor & President
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