UPDATE: The University of New England (UNE) is taking bold steps to redefine higher education with its newly announced strategy, focusing on community engagement and flexible learning. Professor Chris Moran, Vice-Chancellor, revealed that the Tamworth branch will play a pivotal role in this transformation.
In a groundbreaking statement, Professor Moran emphasized the need to shift UNE’s focus “far more towards our communities than the university itself.” This shift is part of UNE’s strategic plan for 2026-2035, titled “Connecting Individual Aspirations to Community Outcomes.” It comes in response to the evolving landscape of education, particularly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
85% of UNE students are now engaged in distance education, a significant departure from traditional university experiences where large lecture halls were the norm. Professor Moran stated, “The majority of the conventional university experiences that you or I might have had—no university really operates that way anymore.”
The university is now targeting mature-age students who require more flexible learning options, recognizing that many of them are balancing work and family commitments. “So not the cliché, leave school, go to university for three years and do the rest of your life,” Professor Moran explained, stressing the importance of adaptability in education.
This strategic pivot follows a recent misstep in UNE’s approach to curriculum development. In 2022 and 2023, UNE launched a series of short courses based on industry feedback, but Professor Moran admitted, “The mistake we made there was that we hadn’t actually married up the interests of the community with the needs of industry.” The response was underwhelming, highlighting the necessity for a more integrated approach.
One of the innovative strategies UNE is considering involves enabling health degree students to gain work experience in the health sector while they study. “We would like to help people be more able to be involved in the areas that they want to work in while they’re getting their degree,” Professor Moran said.
The Tamworth campus, UNE’s first dedicated facility, is on track for a 2027 opening. “I was down there [last week], and I was very happy to see what I call yellow goods [construction machinery] making their way around the site,” Professor Moran reported, noting that local suppliers from Tamworth are being prioritized for construction contracts.
Initially, UNE plans to focus on offering courses in health science, psychology, nursing, and social work at the Tamworth campus. There are also discussions about including programs in music, tapping into the city’s rich cultural heritage.
As UNE embarks on this new direction, the emphasis on aligning educational offerings with community needs positions the university to better serve its students and the Tamworth region. The university’s commitment to flexible and community-oriented education is expected to resonate with prospective students and industry partners alike, making it a significant player in the future of higher education.
Stay tuned for more updates on UNE’s transformative journey and its impact on local communities.
