AAUN is delighted to announce that The University of New South Wales, with its main campus in Sydney, has joined the Australia Africa Universities Network. We welcome the Vice-President International, Fiona Docherty and her colleagues to the AAUN Steering Group, Research teams and programs. We look forward to a valuable and productive partnership.

UNSW Australia (The University of New South Wales) is one of Australia’s leading research and teaching universities and has been committed to partnering globally since it was founded in 1949. UNSW brings new and existing strengths to AAUN, with multiple global networks such as Universitas 21, APRU, the PLuS Alliance, and engagement in the African region for over 30 years.

Key research areas and partnership opportunities
Mrs Docherty says, “UNSW looks forward to collaborating with AAUN universities on the areas of Public Health, Mining and Minerals and Food Security. UNSW has particular strength in the areas of women’s health, infectious disease control, global public health, and is researching across a number of important fronts from exploring alternative food economies and urban agriculture, to tacking malnutrition through food fortification, to ensuring rural agricultural communities have access to safe water and affordable energy.

UNSW is also keen to explore a theme relevant to both Australia and Africa –how to build a new model for Smart Cities based on the principles of: sustainable economic development, a high quality of life, sound management of natural resources, and participatory action and engagement.”

The university already has a number of active research and education partnerships with AAUN African members including The University of Cape Town and Makerere University and is keen to demonstrate its commitment to the AAUN Network by supporting collaborative research and education initiatives, building the capacity of academic talent across Australia and Africa, and collaborating to deliver sustainable solutions to the grand challenges facing both continents

UNSW will also look to deepen its institutional links in Uganda, and the wider region, through its new Institute of Global Development. The Institute has an ambitious goal to significantly improve the lives of others by working in close partnership with local universities and their communities.

Contact details 
We encourage AAUN members to explore directly with UNSW’s counterparts, including the inclusion of UNSW in the coming round of the Partner Research Development Fund.

The contact details of the UNSW AAUN Steering Group member will be communicated shortly. Marije Nieuwenhuis, Program Manager of AAUN is available to assist in these developments. We look forward to meeting UNSW delegates on 5 September 2016 at the AAUN Forum and AGM in Perth, to identify and facilitate the research, education and mobility opportunities further.

For more information on UNSW please visit the website.