Creating opportunities for connection

These important developments have resulted in this edition of Alumni magazine having a distinctly NorthWest flavour.

New knowledge is at the heart of our mission

On the research front, we have a focus on longer-term funding to support work that is distinctively for and from Tasmania.

We have seen mission-aligned research projects funded, including a new Drought Resilience Hub for Tasmania, new Antarctic funding with partners the CSIRO and Australian Antarctic Division, and a new MS Research Flagship at Menzies.

The Tasmania Project has analysed 11,000 community survey responses, which has supported decision-making through the COVID period by policymakers, industry partners and community partners.

Our climate scientists continue to make a substantial contribution to the world’s understanding of the great questions of our time and here – uniquely positioned in Tasmania – we are seeking to help our place be a beacon to the world in embracing a carbon-positive future.

While scale is not a measure of our success, we have evidence that having a deeply place-based approach is not an impediment either.

This deeply mission-based research focus produced the largest research income ever last year, and we expect to exceed that again this year.

What’s important is that investment is focused on creating positive impact for Tasmania and Tasmanians, and from here using our distinctive strengths to have an impact for the world.

A mission for the longer term

Changing our focus from one which is measured by scale to one which is place-based is a long-term strategy, reaching out to 10 years or more. The support within the University and the wider community is indeed encouraging.

The world is also taking interest in what we’re doing. Word has got out that something interesting is happening here.

One of the reasons people are interested is because we are starting to achieve results around things that universities and communities have been grappling with for a long time – like student access and impactbased research.

This isn’t easy. It’s about having a shared long vision and having the tenacity to stick with it and work together to navigate some of the tough patches.

Indeed, it relies completely on working together. We want to thank all who share this vision, who have helped create it, and who are contributing to it.

We hope it will increasingly serve to strengthen your sense of pride and belonging to the University of Tasmania.

Introducing Rebecca Cuthill and Rob Blandford.

Rebecca Cuthill, Acting Executive Director, Advancement, has welcomed recently appointed Associate Director, Alumni Relations, Rob Blandford, to the Advancement Office. Rob Blandford said it was wonderful to arrive at a time of great energy, as the University focuses on contributing to a bright future for Tasmania.

“In my previous institution, I spent 14 years working in an engineering faculty and subsequently in an alumni relations team,” Rob said.

“I come to the University of Tasmania with a great enthusiasm for our alumni community and its enormous strengths and capacity to make a positive difference.

“Rebecca and I are grateful for the work undertaken by Rebecca’s predecessor, Kate Robertson, who recently retired from her position. We look forward to continuing the relationships and conversations already underway.”

The Alumni team welcomes your feedback and is here to make sure that you feel a sense of connection to your University. We are creating an environment to provide you with life-long opportunities to access educational, cultural and artistic engagement. We will introduce you to your peers to enable you to build circles of support and connection.

We invite each of you to play a special role in strengthening our alumni community to be a network of volunteers who not only support each other but can also influence the direction and the success of this institution.

Rebecca Cuthill and Rob Blandford at the official opening of the West Park campus in Burnie.

Professor Rufus Black, Vice-Chancellor