The article was originally published on The Western Sydney University’s Website
Western Sydney University is investing up to $40 million over five years in three new Research Fellowship Schemes and expanding its innovative 21C Curriculum Project.
Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Barney Glover AO, said these new initiatives will provide the highest quality learning and teaching opportunities to Western Sydney and build on the University’s already world-class research expertise.
“This new investment will deliver extensive benefits to our students, our community and our partners and leverage existing strengths in the Schools, Institutes, Strategic Research Initiatives, and other emerging areas of strength across research and teaching,” said Professor Glover.
Funding will be provided to support the following Research Fellowship Schemes:
- The Research Fellowship Scheme – will invest in 50 research-focused fellows. Targeting high-performing early and mid-career researchers whose work aligns with the University’s research strengths, Western will build on its already established and rapidly emerging cohorts of research excellence.
- The Distinguished Visiting International Fellowship Scheme – will target international research leaders, including those from industry. The scheme will support fellows at the University for six to twelve months to enable broad and sustainable collaboration with our researchers.
- The Outgoing International Fellowship Scheme – will support Western’s researchers to travel to universities with which we partner, allowing them to spend up to two months in-residence working on joint research projects and outputs.
The University’s Academic Division will also use this investment to enhance the quality of teaching and learning to improve graduate outcomes. This will be done through the expansion of the University’s 21C Curriculum project – a large-scale curriculum reform, focused on meeting the challenges of sustainability, the digital revolution, and the future of work.
New initiatives will include:
- The development of transdisciplinary curriculum with flexible degree options;
- New leadership opportunities for staff and students;
- New global opportunities for partnership and collaboration;
- Expansion of the Advance Higher Education Fellows program to further recognise teachers of international standing; and
- The introduction of the Western Teaching Academy to recognise our outstanding teachers.
Collectively, these initiatives are an investment in Western’s capacity, capability and quality, advancing the University’s strong international reputation.