Dear colleagues
Welcome to the final edition of Inside UNSW for 2025. It’s been another extraordinarily busy and exciting year, including the launch of our UNSW Strategy: Progress for All and its implementation with the Triennium One Roadmap. We’ve had milestone donations, reached record heights in research and Knowledge Exchange income, higher than ever domestic student demand, continue to be number one in Australia for career and graduate outcomes and made our mark in rankings – including one of my personal favourites, number one in the world for Social Impact. I would like to thank each and every one of you for the invaluable work you do every day driving UNSW’s positive societal impact.
When I look back over the year, I feel so proud of the many outstanding achievements during 2025. Behind these successes are the amazing people who make up our UNSW community, colleagues, students, alum and partners. As we approach year-end, I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks for your dedication, hard work and passion. I invite you to watch a video I recorded to say thank you when you have a moment.
Campus to open in Bengaluru, India
As I often say, ‘Education is one of the most powerful forces for global progress’, so I was incredibly proud to attend a ceremony in New Delhi this week to announce UNSW’s first overseas campus in Bengaluru. The new campus, which will open in 2026, will provide Indian students with access to our world-leading education in a country where demand for university places significantly outweighs supply.
The announcement was made jointly by Australia’s Federal Education Minister the Hon. Jason Clare and India’s Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan.
I would like to thank the many UNSW teams and individuals who have contributed to this important milestone, which aligns so strongly with our UNSW Strategy: Progress for All – committing to delivering impact through the expansion of the University’s global education offerings in key regions. Read more on the UNSW Newsroom.
In particular I would like to acknowledge and thank our incredible team on the ground in India, led by Dipankar Chakraborty (pictured below). These 13 talented individuals not only ensure that UNSW attracts the highest quality and meritorious students from all parts of India with the lowest visa fraud risks, they are expanding our research partnership, supporting UNSW colleagues to get the most out of our academic, government and institutional relationships and driving growth in our lifelong learning aspirations. Their on-the-ground presence and networks developed over many years are a key risk mitigant and driver of success for our new campus as well.
UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs with the UNSW team on the ground in India, led by Dipankar Chakraborty.
New Chancellor appointed
I am sure you all saw the news last week that UNSW Council elected Warwick Negus as the next Chancellor of UNSW for a four-year term. An alumnus, Mr Negus is an experienced member of Council who brings a deep and broad understanding of the University and the higher education sector. He currently serves as Deputy Chancellor and Chair of the Finance and Strategy Committee.
Warwick’s outstanding career across economics, philanthropy and leadership, alongside his longstanding connection to the University, was reflected in Council’s choice for this critical role. Read more on the Newsroom. I am very much looking forward to working closely with Warwick as Chancellor.
Group Ventures Business Development Team announced
Also aligning with our commitment in the UNSW Strategy: Progress for All to expand our educational offerings in key regions globally, I am delighted to announce that the University is establishing the Group Ventures Business Development Team, bringing together existing activity across UNSW and UNSW College, to increase the impact and speed of our Transnational Education Strategy. The team will identify and triage global opportunities to support more students around the world in their home locality and assist with global social impact and our financial diversity.
Group Ventures will be governed and operate within UNSW Global Pty Ltd (trading as UNSW College). It brings the strength of UNSW Group networks and UNSW College’s on-ground relationships and educational offerings through to all UNSW faculties.
Two of our senior leaders will guide this work. Sarah Lightfoot, CEO of UNSW Global (trading as UNSW College), will have an expanded portfolio through her now dual appointment as CEO and PVC Education Futures. Professor Chris Styles, PVC Transnational Ventures (PVC TNV), will be seconded to the Group Ventures team, reporting to Sarah, to lead the design and development of global education ventures across the UNSW Group. Chris and Sarah will continue to work closely with Colin and the UNSW Global team. Read more in Inside UNSW.
Liverpool Study Hub opens
Federal Education Minister Jason Clare with UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs at the opening of the Liverpool Study Hub which offers tech facilities and in-person support for local students.
Last Thursday, I felt privileged to attend the opening of the Liverpool Study Hub, a free dedicated study space to support students in South West Sydney. You’ve all heard me say many times how close access to and success in education are to my heart.
The study hub is part of the federally funded Suburban University Study Hubs program and Education Minister the Hon. Jason Clare gave a very moving speech at the opening about the meaningful difference the hub will make to students in the region. Our students, as well as those from WSU and TAFE as always stole the show demonstrating the importance of the hub.
UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs with Federal Education Minister Jason Clare, Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda, Member for Werriwa Anne Stanley, UNSW student ambassadors Henry Tat and Hilary Chap, and WSU student ambassadors Maryana and Mima Khoshaba.
Located within the TAFE NSW Liverpool building, the study hub will be operated and managed by UNSW Sydney. It provides around 50 study spaces, computers, Wi-Fi, videoconferencing facilities, meeting rooms and in-person community assistance to help learners stay connected and succeed. I would like to thank the wonderful team drawn from across UNSW who managed to develop and implement this initiative and their absolutely incredible speed in getting it launched this year.
The study hub builds on UNSW’s 35-year presence in South West Sydney, strengthening our partnerships there to expand access to higher education and support students to complete their studies. Read more on the UNSW Newsroom.
A new medical research facility in Macarthur
Another reflection of UNSW’s longstanding commitment to Greater Western Sydney was the official opening of Lang Walker AO Medical Research Building in Macarthur last Thursday. The state-of-the art collaborative facility will focus on improving health outcomes for people facing complex and chronic issues including diabetes, mental health challenges and addiction.
The Premier the Hon. Chris Minn officiated and Professor Zoe Terpening, PVC Precincts, joined leaders from Western Sydney University, South Western Sydney Local Health District and the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research at the opening.
I am very proud of this facility and this partnership and how they extend UNSW’s legacy of health, education and research across the region. Read more on the UNSW Newsroom.
Education Festival 2025: a focus on societal impact
UNSW’s Education Festival is always a highlight for me. Now in its fifth year, EduFest brings together our vibrant learning and teaching community to inspire, learn from each other and grow as educators.
The focus for the 2025 EduFest was embedding UNSW’s Societal Impact Framework into our curricula, exploring how education can help develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to make the world a better place. Delivered across three days, it featured 170 presenters sharing their educational practice and experiences with more than 750 participants. As always, it was planned and delivered as a University-wide initiative by a team of representatives from every faculty, Nexus program and the PVC Education portfolio.
I was delighted to participate in the 2025 UNSW Awards Ceremony (read more in this week’s Inside UNSW), where more than 30 recipients were recognised and celebrated. These awards are a testament to the dedication, creativity and passion of our learning and teaching community, which ultimately benefit our students.
Emerging Indigenous Executive Leaders program graduation
Last Thursday evening, I had the great pleasure of presiding at the Emerging Indigenous Executive Leaders Program (EIELP) graduation (pictured above) This year is the ninth and largest cohort to complete the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) program – 52 Indigenous leaders from 30 organisations. The graduates represent government, corporate and community sectors, from organisations including Services Australia, NSW Aboriginal Affairs, University of Sydney and NAB.
The EIELP is a life-changing opportunity for these established and emerging leaders to connect culture, Country and community to their roles as organisational leaders. The program has now supported close to 300 leaders, many of whom have gone on to lead major initiatives, shape policy, drive cultural change and create space for the next generation to rise. UNSW is proud to stand alongside them on this journey. I would like to thank and acknowledge the incredible people at AGSM and our Indigenous leaders who had the vision and courage to create such an innovative program almost 10 years ago.
Photo credit: Salty Dingo
Executive Director UNSW Public Policy Institute appointed
I am pleased to share that Rebecca Razavi has been appointed Executive Director of the UNSW Public Policy Institute, taking up the role in late January 2026. A UNSW alumna, Rebecca is currently a Visiting Fellow at Oxford University’s Oxford Internet Institute and has more than 20 years’ experience across the public and private sectors.
Headquartered in Canberra, the institute will draw on public policy expertise across the University to deliver practitioner-oriented education, research partnerships and thought leadership, engaging policymakers and practitioners in the public policy ecosystem nationally, regionally and globally. I am sure you will all join me in welcoming Rebecca!
Themes from VC visits during 2025
Thanks again to all my colleagues who took the time to join me at my visits to faculties and divisions throughout the year. I really appreciated it as a great opportunity for me to meet colleagues and to discuss topics most on your minds. This year also, to introduce the UNSW Strategy: Progress for All pillars, I focused on real-world examples, from across the University, of where we are already turning the dial and was delighted to receive such a positive response.
I am pleased to share some of the common themes that emerged from your questions during the year, including the implementation of the UNSW Strategy: Progress for All and of the new Academic Calendar, how productivity is measured, the size of UNSW and the Campus Development Plan.
Community Day – always joyous!
I don’t hide it – I love Community Day! It was such a thrill to see lower campus come alive, packed with UNSW staff, their families and friends. You might remember that on Wednesday, 26 November, the weather forecast wasn’t optimistic, but the sun shone on us.
It looked to me as though everyone – tall and small – had a great time, participating in creative activities, enjoying the musicians and roving performers, and eating! Read the wrap-up in Inside UNSW.
Photos (above and top): UNSW Community Day 2025. Photo credit: Jacquie Manning
There’s more to read in Inside UNSW …
- I encourage you to read this edition’s staff profile of Dipankar Chakraborty, UNSW’s Managing Director, South Asia. Based in Delhi, he leads a team of 13, who are responsible for the University’s engagement within the region.
- A core research theme of UNSW Art & Design’s Associate Professor Oliver Bown is categorising what generative AI takes from its training data and how that’s understood by different stakeholders. Read more in AI Insider.
A reminder that UNSW year-end shutdown begins at 5pm on Monday, 22 December and the University will reopen on Monday 5, January 2026. Read about campus operations during shutdown.
Thank you all for your contributions to what has been a wonderful year at UNSW. I wish you a relaxing, restorative and safe holiday season, and I look forward to seeing you in 2026.
Best regards
Attila
Professor Attila Brungs
Vice-Chancellor and President
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