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Strategic Plan 2026-2030

Where ambition, community, creativity, and excellence lead to a better tomorrow.

Our ambition for the future is firmly rooted in our strong foundations. To be transformational, our globally impactful research must have local resonance, and our education must provide opportunities to transform lives and enable the communities we serve to flourish.

Strategic planning is more than setting a direction – it’s a shared journey. We’ve listened and reflected to produce our new UniSQ Strategic Plan 2026-2030. Developing a new statement of strategic ambition and new strategic plan signals a renewed commitment to embrace innovation, honour our distinct regional identity and deepen our partnerships with local and global communities and partners.

Our vision to be transformational is about delivering on our core purpose of serving our communities, working with and for them, involving local voices in decision-making, curriculum co-design, and campus life. Critically, it is also about transforming our ways of working to ensure that in these volatile and uncertain times, our University is able to adapt and respond to local and global challenges and the needs of the communities we serve.

As we look to the future, our ambition is clear: we will build on our strong foundations, foster tangible outcomes for our regions, and we will shape a better tomorrow, together.

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Our Statement of Strategic Ambition

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UniSQ Strategic Plan 2026-2030

Towards 2035

UniSQ is Southern Queensland’s University. We are shaped by our communities, driven by innovation, and committed to creating opportunities that transform lives locally and globally. We are committed to fostering inclusive learning and research environments that honour and celebrate the rich diversity, wisdom and cultures of First Nations people.

Vision

We will be Australia’s most transformative university - where ambition, community, creativity, and excellence lead to a better tomorrow.

Mission

We will meet the evolving needs of our students and communities by fostering industry-connected learners, creating opportunity, and addressing the challenges of today and tomorrow.

We are Southern Queensland’s University

Our Foundations

Founded in 1967, we were established to deliver accessible, industry-focused education in commerce, science, and technology for students across Southern Queensland’s country regions.

Our Present

Today, we support over 20,000 students, many through first-in-family and equity pathways; and a global network of 122,000 alumni. We are recognised for inclusive education and research that drives innovation and impact across agriculture and climate, advanced engineering and space, health, and regional development.

Our Future

Community and place remain at our core. We work alongside students, staff, alumni, industry, Southern Queensland communities, and globally, to shape a future that reflects shared values and aspirations.

Values

Respect for People, Place and Purpose - We value the diverse cultures and ideas that enrich our communities and acknowledge the lands where we learn, work, and build futures.
Integrity in Action - We act with honesty, transparency, and accountability, choosing what’s right over what’s easy, to build trust with our people and communities.
Excellence in practice - We pursue excellence, adapt to change, and measure success by the impact we create today and the future we shape.

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Strategic Pillars

Focus areas that support our vision and mission

Increase demand for and participation in tertiary education across our regions

Take a proactive, place-based approach to increasing the future student pipeline by partnering with schools, VET providers, industry and community organisations. Provide personalised support and learning models that enable every student to succeed.

Provide a market-oriented program portfolio and future-ready graduates

Ensure our education offerings align with student needs, employer and industry demand, and emerging workforce opportunities. Build flexible, contemporary curricula that align with regional priorities, national skills agendas, and future industries.

Deliver global impact through community-engaged research

Scale-up research that provides practical solutions to international, national and local challenges, co-designed with industry, government, university partners, First Nations communities, and the broader region. Demonstrate the public value of university research through measurable social, economic, and environmental impact.

Be a catalyst for regional prosperity

Activate partnerships and work closely with government, industry, and community leaders to establish place-based solutions that strengthen local economies, create new jobs, attract investment, address social issues, and enhance the life of the community; positioning UniSQ as a civic and economic anchor in its region.

Strategies

How will we reach our goals?

Build a student-centred, values-driven culture

Empower partnership, voice, and collaboration across students, staff, and communities.

Improve access and participation in Southern Queensland

Increase student numbers and load by stimulating demand and increasing inclusive pathways, non-traditional pathways and pre-commencement transition support.

Improve retention and progression

Provide engaging learning and co-curricular experiences, personalised wraparound support, careers guidance and learning conditions that foster student success.

Develop flexible, future-ready industry engaged education opportunities

Use next-generation teaching strategies and seamless digital, personalised learning including AI and high-quality online synchronous learning that elevates success, wellbeing, engagement, graduate outcomes, and enables continuous upskilling, career mobility, and lifelong and life integrated learning.

Focus on applied, industry-engaged education and research

Deliver practical solutions with both local and global economic and social benefits.

Drive economic and social impact

Collaborate with government, industry, and communities to strengthen regional prosperity and resilience.

Provide a culturally safe, and inclusive environment

Foster belonging and wellbeing for all students and staff.

Empower and support our staff to reach their potential

Develop and leverage skills, resources, and culture that enable innovative teaching, impactful research, exceptional engagement, and high performance.

Embed health, wellbeing & safety in everything we do

Ensure these principles are integral to our culture, curriculum, and daily practices.

Enhance digital and physical infrastructure

Create smart, sustainable, and future-focused environments that enable learning, discovery, and community connection.

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Our University plans and reports

What you told us during consultation

After a week engaging with students, alumni, educators, government, and industry partners during our Regional Listening Tour, we came away energised and equipped with a clear sense of the priorities that matter most to our communities.

The following key themes are helping shape UniSQ’s path forward:

Integrated Pathways Are Essential: Education models that connect secondary school, VET, and university qualifications are critical for smooth transitions and stronger outcomes.
Flexibility Empowers Students: Flexible pathways that combine study and employment help students gain practical experience while learning, opening multiple career directions.
Lifelong and Stackable Learning Are Essential: Stakeholders highlighted the growing importance of continuous learning that supports career mobility and reskilling.
Soft Skills Matter: Participants identified communication, adaptability, and teamwork as vital to complement technical expertise and build career readiness.
Work-Integrated Learning is in High Demand: Hands-on experiences – such as industry placements, internships, and real-world projects – are increasingly valued by students and employers.
Career Literacy Must Start Early: Early exposure to career information and pathway options helps students make informed choices about their education and employment futures.
Regional Support Makes a Real Difference: Centres like the Country Universities Centre (CUC) play a crucial role in supporting students from rural and regional backgrounds.
Course Variety Keeps Talent Local: Offering a diverse range of programs allows students to study close to home, strengthening regional communities and retaining talent.
Stronger School-Industry-University Partnerships: Building deeper connections between education and industry will lead to better learning experiences and a workforce ready for the future.
Student Voices Guide the Way: Genuine listening – especially following challenging experiences – helps universities strengthen support systems and create a more positive, resilient student experience.
Setting Expectations Early Reduces Drop-Outs: Clear communication and early engagement help students feel prepared and supported, reducing attrition and improving success rates.

High-level feedback informing strategies for advancing the University’s Vision

Regional Identity and Community Engagement: Stakeholders strongly support embracing UniSQ’s regional focus. Local communities want to see greater engagement, partnerships with schools, businesses, and industry, and visible benefits from the University’s presence. Many emphasised UniSQ’s strength as a regional institution, distinct from metropolitan universities.
On-Campus Experience and Facilities: There is a clear desire to revitalise campus life and modernise facilities. Suggestions include improved accommodation, more welcoming and flexible spaces, and initiatives that enhance belonging – such as social events, live music, and markets.
Online Learning and Flexible Delivery: Online learning is recognised as a strength but could be further improved in quality, accessibility, and support. Stakeholders favour hybrid models that combine flexibility with strong educational standards and campus culture.
Student and Staff Wellbeing: Feedback highlights the importance of prioritising wellbeing across the University, including mental health support, flexible work and study arrangements, and a culture that values people over processes.

UniSQ by the numbers

We proudly support over 20,000 students—many through first-in-family and equity pathways—connect with 100,000+ alumni worldwide, and foster one of the country’s most inclusive and supportive learning environments.

80.4% graduate full-time employment (within four months of graduating)

48% of students are first in their family to attend university

30% of undergraduate and postgraduate students are from low SES backgrounds

154 ranking out of 1904 universities for research quality and 97.7 research strength score*

*Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024.

Our Research Institutes

These Institutes represent areas where we lead with purpose in research, education, and community impact.
Each Institute reflects our nationally and internationally recognised strengths, and our deep commitment to shaping a better future, locally and globally.

Institute for Agriculture, Climate and Environment

We lead research and teaching in sustainable farming, crop health, climate science, and the management of natural resources, helping communities adapt and thrive in a changing world.

Institute for Space, Defence and Advanced Technologies

Through cutting-edge work in propulsion systems, advanced materials, and astrophysics, this Institute tackles some of the most complex challenges in space and defence innovation.

Institute for Health

Dedicated to improving wellbeing, we focus on understanding health behaviours and tackling public health challenges that matter to our communities.

Institute for Community and Regional Development

We partner with regions to strengthen communities and economies, supporting vibrant, resilient places to live, learn and work across regional Australia.