A university of the 21st century: UWS collaborates with Telstra

The University of Western Sydney is taking an important step towards becoming Australia’s most connected university after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Telstra.

UWS and Telstra will work together to develop a range of initiatives and research projects that explore new frontiers in teaching and learning at UWS, and greatly enhance the University’s connectivity with schools and classrooms in Greater Western Sydney.

UWS Vice-Chancellor Professor Janice Reid signed the MoU together with Ms Nerida Caesar, Group Managing Director, Telstra Enterprise and Government.

Professor Reid said the University’s agreement with Telstra is an exciting one.

“This agreement signals the beginning of what we hope and expect will be a productive mutually beneficial relationship with Telstra. Twenty first century communications and information technologies are rapidly transforming our world – and higher education is no exception,” said Professor Reid.

UWS and Telstra will explore the numerous ways in which the latest technologies can be utilised for teaching, learning and research, as in the $40 million Climate Change and Energy Research Facility, based at the Hawkesbury campus.

Future projects include developing the university ‘classroom of the future’ – bringing 24/7 connectivity through Telstra’s high speed broadband networks, and the enhanced educational benefits that come from round-the-clock connectivity and more online interactions between academic staff and students.

“These projects also have the potential to revolutionise how we engage with primary and high schools in Greater Western Sydney and beyond,” Professor Reid said.

“Cutting-edge communication technologies will enable us to link with schools across the region and across the country – creating linkages between the University, school students and teachers at the simple touch of a button.”

These collaborations between UWS and Telstra on educational initiatives in Greater Western Sydney will also enhance the strong and productive relationships between the UWS School of Education and the Western and South Western Sydney Regions of the Department of Education and Training,

Ms Caesar said the partnership would help connect UWS students and staff to each other and the rest of the world.

“Broadband and other information technologies are fast redefining education and Telstra is delighted to be working with UWS to maximise the opportunities that these new technologies enable for students and academics,” Ms Caesar said.

“One of the first areas we will work with UWS on is to help it identify ways to gather, deploy and store sensitive research data in the Hawkesbury area, where UWS is conducting ground-breaking climate change research.”

“The backbone to this is the Telstra Next IP™ network that runs throughout the university and will help UWS realise its vision of being a leading university of the 21st century.”



For more information, contact the UWS Media Unit: media@uws.edu.au
Editors please note: Photographs from the signing ceremony are available on request.