UNSW celebrates 60 years of extraordinary achievement
This year our University celebrates its 60th anniversary. Not a long history compared to such august institutions as Oxford or Cambridge, or even some of our "sandstones" here in Australia. But a rich history and one I think that, by its very brevity, can lay claim to extraordinary achievement: we are one of the very few institutions of our age to be ranked among the top 50 in the world.
The journey from the University's incorporation in 1949, as the New South Wales University of Technology, has been remarkable. As Patrick O'Farrell noted in his colourful history of the first 50 years, (UNSW A Portrait, UNSW Press), this is a story of collective achievement - from leaders such as our first Vice-Chancellor, the visionary Sir Phillip Baxter, to the thousands of hard working and determined people who have contributed to what might have seemed, in 1949 at least, an impossible dream.
The brash, unorthodox newcomer, starting from nothing just six decades ago, has grown into one of Australia's premier universities - with 40,000 students, a 5,000 strong staff and a reputation for world-class research and teaching excellence.
In the words of our longest serving Chancellor, the late Gordon Samuels, this transformation was achieved "very much under the ordinary time for the course...(UNSW) was the epitome of the hungry fighter seeking success and recognition".
It is a history to be proud of - and while we are not planning lavish celebrations, we will be taking opportunities throughout the year to mark this important milestone. There will be a special anniversary lift out in the next issue of Uniken, while our alumni magazine, UNSWorld, will mark the occasion by featuring 60 of our outstanding alumni. We are also planning a special graduation event to be held in Beijing in October, to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China.
