Professor Carolyn Evans
Vice Chancellor and President
In the 1970s, the people of Queensland recognised the need for a new university—a university that would not just be a replica of existing institutions but one that would create new possibilities and opportunities. Griffith would be a university committed to interdisciplinarity including in the emerging area of environmental studies; to being part of the exciting new opportunities starting in Asia; to social justice; and to opening up the rich experience of university education to a wider group of people.
Each decade since, Griffith has pioneered new directions and shifted from being a relatively small, single-campus university to a large, multi-campus university providing comprehensive research and teaching across South East Queensland.
The next decade must be similarly transformative. Griffith graduates and researchers must be equipped with the tools and support to take on the challenges of the future with confidence, a depth and breadth of understanding and a strong commitment to Griffith’s values.
In this strategy, we outline how we will build on that proud history to create an exciting future for the University and the communities of which it is part.
Some key initiatives that will underpin the future of Griffith include:
- Committing to living our values in the way that we operate our university through major investments in sustainability; building on Indigenous student and staff strengths; and focusing on the success of an inclusive student and staff body. Our values will underpin the rest of our strategy.
- A major capital program over the coming decade that will see around $1.0B spent on physical infrastructure, including a substantial new development in the Brisbane CBD , and $350M on digital infrastructure; a major industry-oriented research facility at the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct; new buildings for sciences and social sciences at Brisbane South (Nathan) and welcoming of key partners at Logan.
- The expenditure of at least $25M over five years to establish six interdisciplinary Griffith Beacons—research groupings aimed at answering the critical questions of the future and translating research outcomes into real-world solutions.
- The creation of the Griffith Graduates of the Future program to provide an outstanding education alongside preparation for the workforce for our undergraduates.
- Up to $20M invested into educational technologies including the Virtual Learning Environment and the development of micro-credentials so that current students develop and can demonstrate employability skills, and to create digitally badged short courses to upskill worker learners.
- An increase in expenditure of greater than 50% on professional development for our staff with a focus on early and mid-career researchers and developing academic and general staff leaders.
- A visible, easy-to-open ‘front door’ to the University for partners, with additional expenditure for both research and teaching/learning partnerships to ensure that Griffith plays a strong role in creating work-ready graduates and forms relationships with industry that benefit the Australian economy.
Griffith continues to stand ready to educate students who are committed to learning, regardless of their background. We will help them face the future with confidence, competence and the knowledge and skills that will allow them to thrive in a rapidly changing world. We will continue to include them in our community when they graduate, entering into rich and mutually beneficial partnerships with our alumni. We recognise that the future will require new forms of education to help people acquire the skills that they need as the world of work undergoes rapid change.
We will undertake significant, socially relevant research with partners from across and beyond the University to try to ensure that the future is one that brings benefits to as many people as possible. This research will have positive outcomes—socially, economically and culturally—for the people of Queensland, Australia and the world. It will help us to be internationally recognised for the quality and impact of our work.
We will break down boundaries to undertake significant research that will help to create a better future.
We will work across disciplines, in partnerships and across countries to bring together the right teams to answer the big questions of today and tomorrow.
We will invest in the infrastructure that underpins our physical and digital campuses to build a strong and sustainable future for our university, placing it at the heart of key communities in South East Queensland. All of our investments in new buildings will include spaces that encourage and support active, mutually valuable partnerships.
We will hold fast to our values, believing that they remain important if the future that we help to create is to be one that is just and equitable. Since its inception, Griffith has created a wonderful history for itself. This strategy sets out an ambitious program for the next six years to secure our future as a university of influence, worthy of being ranked in the top echelons of world universities.
Professor Carolyn Evans
Vice Chancellor and President