21 August 2021

The NSW Vice-Chancellors’ Committee (NSW VCC) has welcomed the NSW Government’s announcement today regarding the establishment of the NSW RNA Bioscience Alliance – a partnership across all NSW universities – and the provision of support for a $15 million NSW RNA Production and Research Network.

The Alliance and Network will work closely with a new $25 million RNA Institute which has been established by UNSW Sydney and also announced today. Together, it is a significant boost to the State’s mRNA research, development and local manufacturing capabilities.

Convener of the NSW VCC, Professor Barney Glover AO, said this is a major initial investment in RNA research and development for NSW, which is set to transform the State into a world-leading mRNA vaccine manufacturing hub.

“The NSW RNA Production and Research Network and the broader NSW RNA Bioscience Alliance will bring together top scientists and researchers from the state’s leading universities, research institutes and hospitals to collaborate on RNA research and find therapeutic solutions for some of the toughest health challenges facing us right now,” said Professor Glover.

“The NSW VCC commends this initiative from the NSW Government, as well as the investment in the RNA Institute by UNSW Sydney. Together, it will create a strong, research-focussed RNA ecosystem and research workforce for NSW – something that is not only an immediate priority for our ongoing COVID-19 response, but will also lead to the creation of important new technologies and therapies to tackle other diseases and help protect the long-term health of our communities.

“It is our hope that this significant investment and collaboration between Government and the university sector will be a driver for future innovation and lead to a major vaccine producer establishing a base in NSW.”

Professor Glover said NSW universities look forward to further announcements in the near future, following the consideration by Government of a business case to develop RNA facilities in NSW.

“Investments such as these are critical to future-proofing the social prosperity and economic productivity of NSW. Universities look forward to working closely with government and industry, to utilise and translate our collective research strengths to achieve real impact for the communities we serve.”

26 July 2021

The New South Wales Vice-Chancellors’ Committee (the Committee) fully supports the decision of the NSW Education Standards Agency (NESA) to give more time to HSC students to work on their major projects and to prepare for exams to reduce the impact of the current COVID-19 lockdown.

The Convener for the Committee, Professor Barney Glover AO, said the universities “appreciate that the disruptions caused by the current COVID-19 lockdown have impacted on students’ focus, therefore the need for certainty is paramount.

“As we said in 2020, our position is that proceeding with the HSC examinations in 2021 provides certainty to students, parents and teachers as well as universities.

The Convener emphasised that the universities understood the difficulties faced by students and explained that universities will respond with appropriate arrangements.

“As we did successfully in 2020 when the pandemic began for that year’s cohort of students, we will continue to work flexibly with NESA and the Universities Admissions Centre to ensure that admission processes can adapt in an equitable way to any changes in Year 12 assessments,” Professor Glover said.

Given that completion of the HSC is the preferred admission pathway into many universities, Professor Glover strongly encouraged students to remain committed to completing the HSC in 2021.

Professor Glover also reminded students that there are alternative pathways into university such as bridging and foundational courses to build up knowledge and skills lost during the pandemic. “Universities look forward to welcoming this year’s graduating secondary students into courses commencing in 2022,” Professor Glover said. 

2 July 2021

This media statement is to be attributed to the Convener of the NSW Vice-Chancellors’ Committee (NSWVCC), Professor Barney Glover AO. Of relevance are the media statements made on 10 June 2021 by the NSW Treasurer, the Hon. Dominic Perrottet MP, and the NSWVCC.

The universities continue to work closely and constructively with both the State and Federal Governments regarding the plan for the safe return of international students to Australia. Noting of course that the current priority for the State Government is navigating out of the current COVID19 Delta outbreak.

For more information and FAQs, visit Study NSW: https://www.study.sydney/return

10 June 2021

The peak body for NSW and ACT universities has welcomed the recent announcement from the NSW Government to allow international students to return to NSW from mid-2021.

“We are grateful for this opportunity and thank Premier Gladys Berejiklian MP for her strong support of the sector. The universities also wish to thank the Treasurer, the Hon. Dominic Perrottet MP, and Study NSW for their dedication and extraordinary efforts”, said the Convener of the NSW Vice-Chancellors’ Committee, Professor Barney Glover AO. 

“The State’s universities have been working very collaboratively with the Government for over 12 months to develop a plan for the safe reintroduction of our international students to our local communities.  

“The economic and cultural benefits of international students to the state of New South Wales are well understood by the NSW Government.

“International students introduce different cultural and community perspectives and are important members of our academic community. They also create tens of thousands of jobs in sectors like tourism, retail and hospitality that are vitally important to our local communities and will help us accelerate out of the COVID-19 induced recession. 

“For the universities’ part, this industry-led, and funded plan allows us to safely welcome back our students who have been stuck overseas due to the pandemic and are keen to continue their studies with us in person. 

The Convener explained that the universities will focus first on students who are in desperate need to progress their studies, for example in the disciplines of medicine, science, engineering, teaching, nursing and midwifery, and Higher Degree Research.

“The Government’s success in managing the COVID-19 pandemic gives it the opportunity to strategically position NSW and Australia as the preferred destination for international students around the globe. But we need to act quickly. Students keen to study overseas are making decisions now about where they can go in 2022.  

Ensuring Australians are safely able to return home and allowing international students to come back are both important milestones in our State’s recovery.” 

Noting that the next step is for the Commonwealth Government to review the NSW Plan, the Convener urged the Commonwealth Government to expedite this review and support the State’s efforts.

22 May 2020

As school students make their way back to school, New South Wales universities wish to assure HSC students that they recognise that the COVID-19 pandemic has being a disrupting force to students’ studies.
The New South Wales Vice-Chancellors’ Committee (NSWVCC), which represents all NSW-based universities, supports the joint decision of the NSW Education Standards Agency (NESA) and the NSW Department of Education to hold the HSC exams in 2020.
On behalf of the NSWVCC, UOW Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Wellings encouraged HSC students to stay the course.
“NESA’s decision to run year 12 examinations gives students certainty and a clear pathway to university entry.
“We appreciate that the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted on students’ focus, but the need for certainty is paramount.
“Proceeding with the HSC examinations provides certainty to students, parents and teachers as well as universities.
“Year 12 students and others aspiring to further study in 2021 are strongly encouraged to remain committed to completing the HSC in 2020,” Professor Wellings said.
Professor Wellings assured all students, teachers and parents that universities would assist as much as possible via admission processes and wished to remind students that there are alternative pathways into university such as bridging and foundational courses to build up knowledge and skills lost during the pandemic.
“As in all previous years, NSW universities work closely with the NESA and the Universities Admissions Centre to ensure that university admission processes and pathways are as equitable and transparent as possible.
“This will continue for 2021 admissions with universities taking the impact of these disruptions into account in assessing applications for admission, especially for certain student groups that are more likely to have been disadvantaged by the disruption.
“2020 is proving to be a disruptive year for the higher education sector, but we urge all students to remain focused on achieving their best possible results under the circumstances.
“Students should feel reassured that all universities are looking forward to welcoming this year’s graduating secondary students into courses commencing in 2021, and that universities have learning support arrangements to assist university students with reaching their potential.” Professor Wellings said.

25 April 2020

New South Wales universities have today welcomed the announcement the decision to proceed with 2020 HSC examinations despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The New South Wales Vice-Chancellors’ Committee (NSWVCC), which represents all NSW-based universities, acknowledged that students’ focus is being disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but supported moves to maintain the annual exams schedule.

NSWVCC Convener, UOW Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Wellings, CBE, backed the decision taken by the NSW Education Standards Agency (NESA) to proceed with HSC examinations.
“NSW universities welcome NESA’s decision to run year 12 examinations on the normal timetable because it will give students certainty and a clear pathway to university entry.
“We appreciate that the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 have impacted on students’ focus, but the need for certainty is paramount.
“Proceeding with the HSC examinations provides certainty to students, parents and teachers as well as universities.
“Year 12 students and others aspiring to further study in 2021 are strongly encouraged to remain committed to completing the HSC in 2020,” Professor Wellings said.

The Committee assured all students, teachers and parents that universities would assist as much as possible via admission processes.
“As in all previous years, NSW universities work closely with the NSW Education Standards Authority and the Universities Admissions Centre to ensure that university admission processes are as equitable and transparent as possible.
“This will continue for 2021 admissions, with universities taking the impact of these disruptions into account in assessing applications for admission.
“2020 is proving to be a disruptive year for the higher education sector, but we urge all students to remain focused on achieving their best possible results under the circumstances.
“Students should feel reassured that all universities are looking forward to welcoming this year’s graduating secondary students into courses commencing in 2021,” Professor Wellings said.

On 19 September 2019, the Deputy Vice-Chancellors (Research) Committee hosted an event at Parliament House showcasing the amazing impact our collective research endeavours is having on the well being and prosperity of NSW. The Committee was delighted to have the Hon. Sarah Mitchell, NSW Minister for Education & Early Childhood Learning, and the Hon. Gabrielle Upton, NSW Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, speak at the event and launch the publication.

The New South Wales Vice-Chancellors’ Committee (NSWVCC) membership comprises the Vice-Chancellors of the fifteen universities based in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. The NSWVCC is an unincorporated forum for universities to engage with State and Territory Ministers, government departments and agencies, and the community.

Contacts

Convener
Professor Alex Zelinsky AO
Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Newcastle

Deputy Convener
Professor Renée Leon
Vice-Chancellor and President, Charles Sturt University

Professor Andrew Parfitt
Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Technology Sydney

Secretariat
Catriona Reid
Executive Officer
Email: executive_officer@nswvcc.edu.au