The NUW Alliance – a grouping of four leading Australian universities, The University of Newcastle, the University of Wollongong, UNSW Sydney and Western Sydney University- welcomes the evolution of the Greater Cities Commission
Wednesday, 15th December 2021 The expanded focus of the NSW Government’s, Greater Cities Commission to now include Newcastle, the Central Coast and Wollongong is an exciting alignment with the NUW Alliance’s footprint. The NUW Alliance spans NSW’s ‘Sandstone Mega Region’ – a geographic area home to more than 75 per cent of the State’s population and 25 per cent of Australia’s. The NUW Alliance is committed to delivering social, economic and sustainability benefits not only for NSW but for Australia. Fundamentally, the Alliance was created to take on the transformative projects for NSW that can only be realised through scale, commitment and collaboration. NUW Alliance, Chief Executive Officer, Professor Andy Marks said, “This expanded approach brings the NSW Government in-step with the NUW Alliance’s already significant work in job creation, industry innovation and social good across the mega region.” “The Government’s new focus is clearly a recognition that NUW Alliance initiatives across the Hunter, Illawarra and Greater Sydney, in areas like clean energy, rapid upskilling and advanced manufacturing are having an impact.” Professor Marks added. In the past year alone, the NUW Alliance delivered the TAFE partnered Multiversity, an Industry 4.0 series of courses designed to prepare Western Sydney workers – women in particular – for the high-tech jobs coming with the new Nancy Bird Walton International Airport at Badgerys Ceeek. With partners, UTS, the NUW Alliance last month also launched its research vision for industry set to establish at the new Airport. This 5-university consortium’s research plan constitutes the largest research entity in Australia. It draws together expertise across the Hunter, Illawarra and Greater Sydney in fields like, composites, nano-fabrication, neuromorphics, robotics and cyber technology to present a world-leading proposition to industry, while creating opportunities for local businesses. Commenting on the NUW Alliance’s extensive work in skills and innovation over the past year, Professor Marks said the focus was on learning from and supporting its communities. “As four universities with very close ties to our communities, we understand our regions’ strengths. In Newcastle, Wollongong and across Greater Sydney, we have been listening to businesses, workers and the wider community and we are deeply committed to helping them not just recover but renew and excel. It’s great to have the Greater Cities Commission onboard and up for that task too.”
