Building the future - people
Building the future - infrastructure
In 2015 there was work across UON to deliver the key goals of our Global Partnership Plan and to engage and build sustainable international partnerships that deliver tangible outcomes for education, research and innovation.
Global educational achievements
UON's role as a educator of 'Australia Award' scholarship recipients was recognised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with UON receiving a score of 6 out of 6 against the defined KPIs.
UON's community spirit was further recognised in 2015 by winning the 2015 Education Provider Award at the New South Wales International Student of the Year Awards, held at the Sydney Opera House. The Award recognised UON's global partnership with Jesmond Park Uniting Church and its 'Cheap Chewsday' initiative. Cheap Chewsday is a monthly dinner that brings together students of all faiths and nationalities, fostering a valuable sense of inclusion and community involvement.
In 2015, UON achieved accreditation of the Bachelor of Engineering (Surveying) program by the Malaysian Board of Land Surveyors. The accreditation has importantly enhanced recognition of UON's programs in Malaysia.
New Colombo Plan
The Australian Government's New Colombo Plan supported eight UON projects across seven countries in 2015. Alumni mentors in Singapore and the Philippines played an instrumental role in welcoming and supporting UON's New Colombo Plan students.
Towards the end of 2015, five outstanding UON undergraduates received New Colombo Plan scholarships to study in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea in 2016. These five UON scholars will help lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific region in Australia and strengthen people-to people and institutional relationships.
The Confucius Institute delivered Chinese language and culture classes to year three and four students at Newcastle Grammar School.
In another first, the Confucius Institute's partnership with Central China Normal University (CCNU), designated by Hanban Ministry of Education, saw 10 UON students studying a credit-bearing course in Chinese language in 2015 as part of the exchange agreement. The partnership and collaboration between UON and the Confucius Institute (Hanban) also saw four UON Professors being funded by the China Studies Program to undertake professional development in China.
New education partnerships
UON is proud to operate within a global network of schools and partner agencies from Africa, the Middle East, and North America to the South Pacific. These networks and partner agencies are trusted by UON, alumni, students and parents in recommending and representing UON in-country.
A key achievement for UON's international education partnerships in 2015 was seeing the largest cohort to date undertaking overseas semester exchange programs, with 260 students attending exchange programs in collaboration with more than 120 partner institutions around the world.
Newcastle International College (NIC) at UON had over 100 students continue their undergraduate studies - NIC is the only Navitas College in the world which enables suitably qualified students to progress onto studying Medicine.
UON was pleased to welcome students from our new partner institutions - Wuhan University of Technology and Sichuan International Studies University in China, approved by the Ministry of Education in China.
Additionally, a group of 33 'Australia Award' students studying at UON under the De La Salle University, Philippines/ UON agreement commenced at Callaghan campus.
International student engagement
Through UON's award winning Student Experience Program (SEP) English language students engage with Australians through a range of non- classroom activities from day one. Our SEP program introduces a range of practical and real world opportunities for students to participate in the complete educational and social experience sought by international students.
Providing our students with an international perspective is key to the UON experience. In 2015, 2,775 students enrolled in iLead, UON's award-winning international leadership experience and development program. The program saw 21 students attend the University Scholars Leadership Symposium in Hong Kong. From undergraduate to postgraduate students, iLead enables exposure to international leaders and provides a unique experience in spending time overseas.
Internship for Chinese graduates
UON partnered with AustCham (Beijing) to establish an exclusive internship program for UON Chinese graduates in China. The UON-AustCham Internship Program offered 50 graduate placements of three months or more within AustCham member companies in China. In a first for an Australian university, the internship program was designed to help differentiate Chinese UON graduates in the highly competitive Chinese job market.
Research and innovation partners
Our International Research Visiting Fellowship Scheme continued to foster high-quality research collaboration and knowledge exchange between UON and key international institutions. In 2015, 16 scholars visited from China, United States of America, Canada, Switzerland, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Ireland, Scotland, Poland and Germany.
In 2015, UON progressed its research training internationally. UON's Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Vietnam International Education Department and the Ministry of Education and Training on research higher degree training and scholarships was renewed in April 2015 and 14 UON Vietnam International Education Department scholars commenced their programs. There was further development of a China Scholarship Council (CSC) UON Partnership with the establishment of specific initiatives for prospective CSC students in Australia. Attendance by UON staff at CSC International Graduate Scholarship fairs in Beijing, Nanjing, Wuhan and Shanghai received an extremely positive response.
In 2016, the focus of our global engagement will include:
Launching iLead Plus, a cornerstone of UON's Graduate Identity with a focus on enhancing global mobility, social responsibility and employability.
Establishing a student peer-to-peer mentoring program to provide support that complements UON's embedded services.
Enhancing the global reputation, standing and recognition of UON by strategic engagement with at least 20 world class universities and education and research partnerships with global education organisations.
Increasing outbound student mobility across all program levels, on semester exchange, Work Integrated Learning, internship, research experiences, short courses and study tours.
Increasing the global mobility of our academic and professional staff through strategic exchange and collaborations with trusted partners.
Download the 2015 Annual Report
Head of state honoured
In July 2015, UON conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws upon His Excellency Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, fourth President of the United Republic of Tanzan
Global Partnerships and Collaborations
UON continues to build its global footprint with partnerships across the world. We work with international partners to drive our research success
MOU with medical university
In July 2015, UON signed a MOU with Taipei Medical University (TMU).