UNSW’s Business School of the future

After 12 months of planning, UNSW Business School has launched an ambitious strategic plan to escalate its engagement with the business community in Australia and the Asia region.

Strategy 2020 will act as a blueprint for the School’s activities over the next five years. Under the plan, the School will build on its already outstanding levels of engagement with business in ways that create more career focused internationalised learning opportunities for students, increase support for high impact research, and enhance the School’s presence in the Asia region. 

The plan will also reinforce the School’s connections to companies at the leading edge of digital applications as it seeks to leverage advances in technology so as to enhance the student learning experience. 

Launching Strategy 2020, UNSW Business School Dean, Professor Chris Styles, commented: “The rapid pace of technological change means we need to be constantly experimenting, adapting and innovating, and working with organisations that are leaders in digital innovation.”  

“The Business School is known for providing a unique mix of theory and practice, giving our students genuine work experience during study and the opportunity to work closely with leading Australian and international companies.”

The Business School will also build on its global footprint through two-way engagement with Asia, increasing alliances by collaborating on Asia-relevant research, business school partnerships and mentoring through Asian alumni networks. 

One country will be named each year as a priority and the School will put in place sustainable connections – through businesses, universities and alumni - in that country. 

“We are in a unique position in Australia,” said Professor Styles.  “Asia is still the engine room of global economic growth and the Business School enjoys strong links in the region. We can act as a conduit for the exchange of knowledge and expertise between Asia and the rest of the world.”

There are more than 11,000 Business School alumni across Asia, including 4000 in Hong Kong alone.

Strategy 2020 will make greater use of technology in teaching, by increase its online offerings and through high tech classrooms and digital innovation, building on its existing flipped classrooms, interactive teaching tools and courses such as the new online MBAX suite of programs.

Strategic partnerships with industry and private donors will fund major programs in areas where the School has world-leading research strengths: population ageing, auditing and assurance, organisational design and women in leadership; as well as emerging strengths in entrepreneurial innovation in Asia and big data modelling for evaluating policy. 

“Universities are often criticised for their remoteness and disengagement from industry,” said Professor Styles. “We will have tangible, active engagement with industry that will enhance the career focused learning opportunities we provide our students and create research partnerships with real impact on business.”

Janine MacDonald +61 2 9385 5895 

Julian Lorkin  +61 2 9385 9887