The University of Wollongong has revealed it will spend more than $300 million on its campus facilities over the next five years, as it embraces a more traditional look.
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UOW on Monday launched a new five year strategic plan, accompanied by a $1.8 million “brand refresh”, with Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Wellings telling staff the institution faced “complex social, environmental and economic challenges”.
“We know the Illawarra is going through a huge change at the moment, and this is really a chance to say how do we place the university at the heart of that conversation,” he said.
“[We need to] make sure that we’re producing graduates for the future, and jobs for the future.”
Prof Wellings said the $300 million would be spent on student facilities – such as a new IGA supermarket, pharmacy and the privately-run accommodation towers which are under construction.
The university will also build a new molecular and life sciences building and spend about $50 million updating the arts and social sciences amenities.
It plans to increase its presence in Sydney, and aims to double the number of students in Dubai over the next decade.
“Overseas we anticipate growing our investments in Dubai and Hong Kong and putting in new facilities in both locations,” Prof Wellings said.
Prof Wellings told staff the university would move towards “a more efficient use of resources”, but said this did not mean there would be a reduction in staff.
This contrasts with the university’s previous five year plan – adopted just three years ago, in 2013 – which resulted in a major restructuring of the institution as 11 faculties were reduced to five.
“I think we’re not expecting very large staff changes other than responding to the growth, what we are expecting to do is to invest in digital technologies and better systems,” he said, noting about $10 million a year would be spent on new technology for students and staff.
The $1.8 million red and blue visual “refresh” – which can be seen already on buses around Wollongong – was led by Surry Hills design agency Frost, a media spokesman said.
It represents “the rich red of the Illawarra flame tree set against a dark navy blue background that is indicative of UOW’s established place as a top-ranking Australian institution with growing international reach”.
“The brand and image change is actually about tradition,” Prof Wellings said.
“Our advisors helped us with this, and world-wide you can see a flight back to traditional, asserting the long heritage that universities have played in society.
As well as a redesign of the logo and brand, the university has embraced a new motto: stands for purpose.
The brand roll out will include new signage across multiple campuses, wraps for cars and buses, a brand positioning exercise and new photos, the spokesman said.
The university last “refreshed” its brand in 2014.