Our university was established 70 years ago, following community demands for a world-class institution to meet the needs of our regions which are of great economic and social importance to NSW and to Australia.
Formed initially as a College of UNSW, in 1965 it became an autonomous university for the Hunter and Central Coast regions with the passing of the NSW Parliament's University of Newcastle Act.
Our aim ever since has been to help prepare graduates for life in an increasingly interconnected society and to provide the technologies and advice required by our partners in the community. While some industries have grown and others have shrunk, our communities have proven very adept at both facilitating transition and adapting to change. Since 1965 we have graduated over 148,000 students from 144 countries. However, most of our graduates are in our regions where they grew up.
While we are a university of and for our region, the University of Newcastle is also highly regarded globally and is ranked among the top 200 universities in the world.
This year it was rated #1 in the world for partnering for a more sustainable future, in the prestigious Times Higher Education Rankings produced by The Times, Britain's oldest national daily newspaper.
This achievement is important given the current interest in the Hunter's necessary transition to a lower carbon intensive economy. It reflects not only the work the university is doing in new energy research but also the ongoing work being done to improve the efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions of existing industry as they address the real challenges of their transitions.
None of this would have been possible without the spirit of open inquiry that is at the heart of what a university should be.
The recent media coverage and public debate concerning Mark Vaile's appointment as Chancellor of the University of Newcastle, and the campaign in opposition to that appointment, raise a number of important issues such as the role of universities in today's society, within the communities they serve, and good governance.
On this basis, it would be wrong of me not to publicly address the issues connected with these events. After all, the University of Newcastle is your university. First off, I would like to state the facts of the matter, and raise some important issues we all need to consider.
In June 2021 the University Council, its governing body, extended an invitation to Mr Vaile to become the next chancellor. The decision to offer Mr Vaile the position was agreed by the whole council following an established, thorough process. Mr Vaile had served as Australia's deputy prime minister, had a long connection with the region served by the university, and very strong connections in business and government - something necessary in our interconnected world.
Some opposition was voiced against Mr Vaile's appointment. Those opposed were well organised and conducted their campaign through the print and social media. Some loud voices came from individuals who have had no association with the University of Newcastle or connection with the region it serves. While Mr Vaile has a broad range of business interests, including renewable energy, his Chairmanship of Whitehaven Coal, a company based in the Hunter, was seen by some as a sufficient reason for opposing his appointment and demanding that the university rescind the invitation. Throughout this the University Council reiterated its commitment to his appointment. Despite having the council's confidence, Mr Vaile made the difficult decision not to proceed, as he believed that this course of action was in the best interests of the university. The council respects his unilateral decision.
The council of the university has 16 members drawn from the community, industry, academia and the student body. Best practice dictates that governing bodies draw upon individuals who in aggregate bring to the table the broadest range of experiences, knowledge, connections and viewpoints.
As with all effective governing bodies there are differences of opinion - that is the nature of healthy debate and is a function of the diversity the council takes pride in. Above all, the council has sought to be guided by our overarching responsibility to do that which is best for the University of Newcastle.
If individuals were excluded from the university community on the basis of views that might not universally appeal, or alternatively only the viewpoint advanced by one group was allowed to prevail, the university would become an insular, inward looking institution serving only a narrow group. It would wither and die.
A false impression has been created, by virtue of the invitation to Mr Vaile, and implicitly due to the Hunter Region having a strong industrial base and long association with the resources sector, that the University of Newcastle is not addressing the climate challenges we all face.
Quite the contrary. Our success in the Times Higher Education Rankings reflects not only our research into new clean energy technologies but also our track record of working with industry partners to improve operational efficiencies and greenhouse gas emissions from existing operations. Examples of the latter include the invention and commercialisation of the Jameson Cell, an innovative flotation cell now being used in 30 countries, and the development of technologies to bind greenhouse gases into reusable products.
We are leaders in conducting research into tomorrow's energy and resources technologies addressing renewable energy generation, transmission and storage. Our researchers are working to advance projects in hydrogen production, storage, utilisation and R&D to support the emergence of a hydrogen industry in the Hunter. Batteries and solar technologies, pumped hydro, biofuels and waste to energy, are among the clean energy solutions the university is advancing through its research towards a less carbon-intensive and more sustainable energy future.
That we are imbedded in a community with a rich industrial heritage only facilitates this. We recognise that the university has a very important role to play in the Hunter's transition to a new energy economy, and we remain committed to the university itself being carbon neutral by 2025.
The University of Newcastle serves and is part of a proud community with a vibrant history. 'Looking ahead', as our Strategic Plan is aptly named, articulates our vision to deliver world class educational outcomes for our community, our regions and the nation.
The university seeks freedom of speech and tolerance of all viewpoints. To grow and prosper, the University of Newcastle will remain open to all ideas and welcome every individual with a contribution to make, so it can remain, universitas magistrorum et scholarium - a community of teachers and scholars. And one dedicated to, and imbedded in, the Hunter and Central Coast regions.
