CDU’s 2021-26 Strategic Plan to guide the university into the future says Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman

Charles Darwin University’s 2021-26 Strategic Plan will guide everything we do to ultimately help us realise the mutual benefits of learning, undertaking research and working together … writes Vice-Chancellor SCOTT BOWMAN.

CHARLES Darwin University is an incredibly important institution. In fact, I would say it is the most important university in Australia. No other Australian university serves such a large area of the continent, in such remote locations and with such a small population to sustain it.

As the only university in the Northern Territory, we must deliver the training, education and research that matters to the people of the Territory. CDU is a university that occupies a unique place in Australia, and we acknowledge this with a sense of pride and a sense of responsibility. I am thankful for my role at CDU, as every day I am reminded of our important role in the education and preparation of students for their future careers.

And that’s why it’s essential that we have a firm university presence in the Territory to educate Territorians and deliver the workforce needs of our community.

There is no doubt that the higher education sector has been hit hard this year, with border closures preventing overseas students from studying in Australia, which has led many institutions to make difficult decisions to stay ahead.

Despite this, Charles Darwin University led the way in November 2020 when we were the first and only education provider in the country to bring in a flight of international students to Australia since the introduction of hard border closures due to COVID-19.

While we rely heavily on international students, we will continue to work with the Northern Territory and Commonwealth Governments to plan for the arrival of future flights.

Last month, we announced any staff travelling to and working on Aboriginal controlled land must be fully vaccinated. We’re proud to lead the way as an Australian university by showing the right way to respond to this virus to protect vulnerable indigenous communities in the Northern Territory. This is first for the Australian university sector and affirms CDU’s commitment to protecting these communities.

Charles Darwin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman AO. Picture: Che Chorley

This week we launched CDU’s new Strategic Plan. It’s a Plan that will set out our road map for the next five years towards a post-pandemic recovery to be Australia’s most connected university by being courageous and making a difference in the Northern Territory, Australia and beyond.

Our vision is bold – and it has to be.

The Territory requires bold and courageous thinking and actions.

We are prioritising what matters most to Territorians and our communities.

This includes our goal to be the most recognised university for Australian First Nations training, education and research. We will continue to partner with First Nations communities and organisations to provide education and training on Country.

We will strengthen our First Nations research focus and prioritise creating culturally rich and safe environments.

Our Strategic Plan is a great example of how by collaboratively working together across all levels of government, industry and community, we can realise our new five-year vision.

Our strategic goals include increasing enrolments for NT residents, enhancing rural and remote education and training, advancing our research capacity, environmental and organisational sustainability, and growing our reach and impact to develop more enduring partnerships to advance student and community success. Our focus is on being a university of choice for our students and our staff.

I’m most proud of the values we have agreed to as an institution. We will deliver on our vision by demonstrating courage, kindness, openness, leadership and innovation.

These values were agreed on through extensive consultation with our staff, our students and our wider community.

I haven’t seen many corporate values statements which include the words courage and kindness. Now, more than ever, is the time to lead with those attributes.

CDU is a great university. But I know, as with everything, we can always do better.

This Plan will guide everything we do to ultimately help us realise the mutual benefits of learning, undertaking research and working together to allow our communities to grow and prosper.

Scott Bowman is the Vice-Chancellor of Charles Darwin University