Dear colleagues
O-Week once again brought our campus to life, filling it with energy, laughter and a wonderful sense of possibility. A big thank you to the students and colleagues who generously volunteered their time to make the week such a positive experience and to the organisers for delivering a fantastic program of events.
To give a sense of scale, faculties, DESE, Arc and our legendary Yellow Shirts organised and coordinated an event hosting more than 35,000 people on campus, with 400 separate events, supporting more than 340 clubs sports and societies (the most of any university in Australia) over four days of tumultuous weather.
We opened the week with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, a valued tradition that continues to be an important part of our celebrations. In my welcome following this, knowing the new students will forget most of what I say, I focused as usual on two points. First, I encouraged students to throw themselves into university life: to try new extracurricular activities and embrace everything the University offers both in and beyond the formal curriculum. It is through these experiences that lasting friendships are formed and that broader, uniquely human capabilities are developed. Second, I encouraged them to look after each with generosity, respect and tolerance to support a positive and vibrant culture of questioning and discovery.
I always enjoy walking around campus during O-Week, meeting students, answering questions and taking in the atmosphere. Seeing students arrive eager to learn, make new friends and connections, explore different perspectives and excited about what lies ahead always fills me with optimism for the future. Thanks again to all our colleagues, student volunteers and our Yellow Shirts for making our newest students feel welcome from their very first day.
Pictured above: Another incredible O-Week.
UNSW named AFR Most Employable University
I am delighted to share that UNSW has been named AFR Most Employable University for the seventh year in a row, with 40 students recognised as the most sought-after hires by employers at the 2026 Top100 Future Leaders Awards. Each of these students should feel very proud of this achievement. It recognises their determination and the meaningful impact they are already creating beyond their work and studies. Their adaptability, purpose-driven mindset and clear human capabilities in an AI-driven world will help them and their future employers thrive in an ever-evolving landscape.
UNSW is deeply committed to preparing students with the skills, experience and capabilities sought by industry, while building their confidence to pursue meaningful and successful careers. This recognition underscores the outstanding, hands-on education provided by our colleagues and the vital partnerships we maintain with industry to ensure our graduates are workforce-ready. Read more on the UNSW Newsroom.
AGSM’s MBA program ranked in global top 50
I am also pleased to share that AGSM’s full-time MBA program has risen 19 places to rank 48th in the Financial Times 2026 Global MBA Rankings – the only Australian MBA featured in this year’s top 100. Since 2022, the AGSM MBA has climbed an extraordinary 50 places globally. The program retained its rank as first in the world for Carbon Footprint, and rose to second globally for Sector Diversity, and improved significantly in Value for Money, moving from 26th to 11th. This result is a testament to the dedication of our colleagues and underscores the program’s enduring quality, commitment to continuous innovation, and strength in delivering a globally relevant, sustainable and high-impact MBA experience. Read more.
Progress Partners event
UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs, with Powerhouse Museum CEO Lisa Havilah and Vice-President Societal Impact, Equity and Engagement, Professor Verity Firth AM.
Last week the Chancellor Warwick Negus and I attended an event with our Progress Partners. Partnership is an important pillar of our strategy for positive societal impact. We launched a challenge for UNSW and our partners to improve the way Australia recognises and responds to financial abuse. Over the next five years we intend to make a difference for people who are subject to financial abuse, which has often gone undetected. At the same event we announced a very exciting partnership with Powerhouse Museum to create UNSW House, a dedicated space within the soon-to-be opened Powerhouse Parramatta. We will be collaborating on a program of events, lectures, conferences and demonstrations building on our shared expertise in engineering, technology, arts and design. We have also agreed on pathways to allow deeper engagement for students, researchers and the community of Western Sydney. Read more about Progress Partners and Powerhouse Paramatta partnership on the UNSW Newsroom.
UNSW Global Launchpads Summit
It was a pleasure to attend our Global Launchpads Summit at the UNSW CBD campus, where we brought together around 100 entrepreneurs with investors, government representatives and industry experts from 10 major international markets to accelerate the global growth of Australian startups. The energy in the room reflected UNSW’s leadership as Australia’s most entrepreneurial university in action. By bringing founders together with global investors and partners in a focused forum, we’re helping entrepreneurs move faster from breakthrough ideas to real impact. This landmark event connects Australian innovation with the international expertise, networks and opportunities needed to succeed on the world stage. Seeing our founders engage directly with partners from across the globe, reinforced for me the critical role we play in turning innovation into enterprise and enterprise into real-world impact. Read more on the UNSW Newsroom.
Launch of world-first research centre dedicated to cancer survivorship
Last week, UNSW, in partnership with Cancer Council NSW, launched the Australian Research Centre for Cancer Survivorship (ARCCS), the first research facility in the world solely dedicated to improving life after a cancer diagnosis. The $40 million partnership combines leading research expertise with deep community connection to support the health and prosperity of all survivors, regardless of cancer type or stage. With a person-centred approach that focuses on life beyond the disease, the centre represents a globally unique initiative and a significant step forward for the millions of Australians affected by cancer.
Today, more than 1.6 million Australians are living with or beyond cancer, and many people continue to face enduring physical, psychological, financial and social challenges following treatment. ARCCS will deliver world-class research to inform practice, services and policy nationwide to ensure that people not only survive cancer, but truly thrive – with care and support that recognises the whole person, not just the diagnosis. UNSW is proud to host this world-first facility, amplifying the voices of survivors to drive evidence-based solutions that enhance quality of life long after treatment ends.
Read more on the UNSW Newsroom.
LEAP strategy
I was delighted and pleasantly surprised that close to 1000 colleagues attended (online or in person) to the launch and explanation of our technology strategy and roadmap. The University has adopted a technology strategy to guide our substantial investment in IT over the next three years. LEAP has been developed to focus on the lived experience of students, staff and researchers and create simple and unified digital environments. This is a time of transformation in the way AI, automation and digital innovation affect learning and research. UNSW has finally rebuilt the foundations it needed to be able to now move, with this new strategy, to the forefront of adopting technological innovation and applying it to positive change. Find out more in this edition of Inside UNSW.
There’s more to read Inside UNSW…
- UNSW’s first Enterprise Data Office has been established to transform the vast amounts of data generated across our teaching and research into a strategic asset that strengthens and supports the University’s work.
- In this edition’s staff profile we meet Dr Baran Yildiz, senior lecturer at the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering (SPREE), who is one of our country's most accomplished handpan players.
- Dr Hammond Pearce explores how generative technologies can be built, tested and trusted in this edition of AI Insider.
Best regards
Attila
Professor Attila Brungs
Vice-Chancellor & President
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