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University of New England (Australia)

Coordinates: 30°29′12″S 151°38′35″E / 30.4867°S 151.6430°E / -30.4867; 151.6430
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Not to be confused with University of New England (United States) or New England College.

University of New England
Coat of arms
Former names
New England University College of the University of Sydney
(1938–1954)
Motto
Latin: Ex sapientia modus
Motto in English
Out Of Wisdom Comes Moderation
TypePublic research university
EstablishedMarch 1938; 86 years ago (1938-03)
AccreditationTEQSA
Academic affiliation
ChancellorJames Harris[1]
Vice-ChancellorChris Moran[1]
Academic staff
531 (2017)[2]
Administrative staff
719 (2017)[2]
Total staff
1,282 (2017)[2]
Students23,847 (2017)[2]
Undergraduates15,848 (2017)[2]
Postgraduates6,101 coursework (2017)
729 research (2017)[2]
Other students
1,169 non-award (2017)[2]
Address
Elm Avenue
,
Armidale
,
New South Wales
,
2350
,
Australia

30°29′12″S 151°38′35″E / 30.4867°S 151.6430°E / -30.4867; 151.6430
CampusRural, 74 hectares (180 acres)[3]
ColorsGold, bottle green and black[4]
Websitewww.une.edu.au

The University of New England (UNE) is a public university in New South Wales, Australia. Founded in 1938, it was the first Australian university to be established outside of a state capital.[5] Its main campus is located in the regional city of Armidale mid-way between Sydney and Brisbane.[6] As of 2021, the university had approximately 26,000 students.[7]

In the 2019 Student Experience Survey, UNE recorded the sixth-highest student satisfaction rating out of all Australian universities, and the highest student satisfaction rating out of all public universities in New South Wales, with an overall satisfaction rating of 83.2.[8][9] The university ranks lower in research-based rankings of Australian universities.[10]

History

[edit]

Establishment

[edit]

Calls for tertiary education to be extended outside of Sydney began in earnest after World War I. Local MP David Drummond led a delegation to the state government in the early 1920s lobbying for a university college in Armidale.[11] A 1924 New South Wales royal commission, chaired by John Jacob Cohen, recommended that consideration be given to a rural university and the Armidale Teachers' College was established in 1928. An organised push to establish a university in New England began in the early 1930s, at the height of the New England statehood movement which sought separation of the region from New South Wales and its admission as a new Australian state. Prominent early advocates in addition to Drummond included Colin Sinclair, Earle Page, and Victor Thompson.[12]

A provisional council to raise funds for a university in New England was established in 1934. The New England University College was established in Armidale in 1938 as a child of the University of Sydney, with Page the chairman of the inaugural advisory council.[13] The college became fully independent as the University of New England in 1954, after the entry into force of the University of New England Act 1953 (NSW). The university established a faculty of education in 1967.[citation needed]

Transition to a network university

[edit]

The university underwent a major restructuring in 1989 with the University of New England Act 1989 (NSW), transitioning into a network university with multiple locations. These consisted of a campus at Armidale, which incorporated the former University of New England and the Armidale College of Advanced Education; and a campus at Lismore, incorporating the former Northern Rivers College of Advanced Education.[citation needed]

In 1990, the Orange Agricultural College joined the university. The network also included the UNE-Coffs Harbour Centre, which provided courses from within academic departments of the Armidale and Lismore campuses.[14]

Return to campus format

[edit]

In November 1993, the University of New England was re-formed once again, with the passage of the University of New England Act 1993 (NSW) and the Southern Cross University Act 1993 (NSW) through the New South Wales Parliament. This legislation had the effect of dismantling the network university. The University of New England from 1994 has only one campus, at Armidale. A new university (Southern Cross University) was created with campuses in Lismore and Coffs Harbour; the Orange campus was amalgamated with the University of Sydney.[citation needed]

The amalgamation of the former Armidale College of Advanced Education was complete by the time of the new legislation. In the same year, a law school was established.[citation needed]

2020s

[edit]

In 2020, the University of New England was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Early in the year, the university became a potential exposure site, and students and faculty underwent viral tests.[15] In September of that year, a staff restructuring was announced, with the goal of saving $20 million annually in wage costs and preparing the university for future opportunities, at the expense of 100 positions.[16]

Campus

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The University of New England is on several sites in Armidale. The northern campus is five kilometres to the northwest of the city centre, in a rural and bushland setting. Part of this campus includes the original property presented by T R Forster to the University of Sydney for the establishment of a University College. This property comprised the old homestead, 'Booloominbah', with several other buildings and 74 hectares of land. Since the original gift, other generous benefactors have presented properties to the university, whose Armidale site now comprises some 260 hectares.[17]

Booloominbah Homestead at night

Booloominbah and the vice-chancellor's residence Trevenna were designed by architect John Horbury Hunt.

The Newling campus of the university includes the Newling Centre, home to the New England Conservatorium of Music, and other buildings associated with the former Armidale College of Advanced Education.

The university possesses rural properties close to the campus, providing facilities for teaching and research. In addition, there are the 'Tullimba' rural research property at Kingstown and the Douglas McMaster Rural Research Station at Warialda.[17]

The University of New England has one of the most extensive residential college systems in Australia. Around half of UNE's on campus students live in one of the colleges.[18]

The university has a vibrant metro campus, UNE Sydney, set in a strategic position at the hearth of Parramatta CBD. As stated on their website "The campus is designed to meet the learning and support needs for our predominately online city-based students and on-campus international students in select courses".[19]

In 2020, the university revealed plans to construct a campus in Tamworth by 2031.[20] The university has a study centre in Tamworth and Taree called UNE Tamworth, and UNE Taree, as well as a network of regional study centres in north-west New South Wales and in the New England region.

Research

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University rankings
Global rankings
QS[21]1001-1200
THE[22]-
ARWU[23]501–600
U.S. News & World Report[24]750
CWTS Leiden[25]959
Australian rankings
QS[26]46
THE[27]-
ARWU[28]24–26
U.S. News & World Report[29]32
ERA[31]26[30]

UNE undertakes fundamental and applied research in many disciplines. Its scholars and scientists have established international reputations through their contributions in areas such as rural science, agricultural economics, educational administration, linguistics and archaeology. Collaborative research with other institutions includes projects with the CSIRO and the high-profile Cooperative Research Centres. Through its research UNE seeks to assist in the economic, social and cultural advancement of Australia and in the advanced training of undergraduate and postgraduate students.[32]

UNE's principal research flagship is animal genetics and livestock breeding, which is serviced by the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU)[33] and delivered commercially by the Agricultural Business Research Institute (ABRI).

Other research flagships include: Rural Education which is undertaken by the National Centre of Science, Information and Communication Technology, and Mathematics Education for Rural and Regional Australia (SiMERR)[34] Rural Communities, Landscapes and Practices which is led by the Institute for Rural Futures (IRF).[35]

Other targeted areas of research include:[32]

  • Environmental and Agricultural Change: Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation; Marine and Freshwater Biodiversity; Terrestrial Biodiversity; Natural Resource Management; Rural Futures; Australian Fauna; Vegetation Research; Sustainable Agriculture; Agricultural Genetics; Animal Research
  • Rural Health: Rural Medicine; Health Services Management; Bioactive Materials; Health Psychology; Gender, Health and Sexuality
  • Rural and Regional Education: School Science and Mathematics Education; School English and Literacy Education; Special Education and Diversity in Schools
  • Economics and Public Policy: Agricultural Economics; Applied Economics and Policy; Local Government; Business and Management; Higher Education Management and Policy
  • Asia Pacific Region : Failing States – Rising States; Empowering People, Developing Infrastructure; Conflict and Governance; Peace Studies; Migration
  • Frontiers and Boundaries: Australia's Regional Frontiers; The Arts, Media, Culture and Society; Ancient Societies; Language and Cognition; Believing and Thinking; Mathematics, Nonlinear and Complex Analysis
  • Law: Natural Resources Law and Policy; Law and Institutional Arrangements for Rural Communities
  • Security: Crime, Criminology and Justice; Biosecurity; IT Security
  • Water Perspectives: Water through History – Water Stories; Water Policy; Water Resources

Academic faculties

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The research and teaching staff of the University of New England, Australia, is divided into three faculties that together contain nine multi-disciplinary schools.

  • Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education
    • School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
    • School of Education
  • Faculty of Science, Agriculture, Business and Law
    • School of Environmental and Rural Science
    • School of Science and Technology
    • School of Law
    • UNE Business School
  • Faculty of Medicine and Health
    • School of Health
    • School of Psychology
    • School of Rural Medicine

The university offers over 200 programs[36] in 23 discipline areas.

The field of peace studies has historically been a focus within UNE, commencing in 1982.[37] The University offers majors in peace studies at undergraduate level, as well as research higher degrees in peace studies.[38][39]

Residential colleges

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The University of New England has one of the most extensive residential college systems in Australia. Around half of UNE's on-campus students live in one of the colleges.[18]

As at 2019, the residential colleges are:[40]

Administration

[edit]

The current Chancellor is James Harris FRSN, who succeeded John Watkins in 2014.[41] Brigid Heywood succeeded Annabelle Duncan as Vice-Chancellor in July 2019.[42] However, Heywood resigned in August 2022 after criminal charges were laid against her.[43] UNE’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Evans acted in the Vice-Chancellor role until a suitable replacement, Chris Moran, was found in 2023.[44][45]

Student representation

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UNE's student body began in 1940, and is currently encapsulated by the University of New England Students' Association.[citation needed]

Events

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Frank Archibald Memorial Lecture

[edit]
Robert, King of Gumbathagang tribe, c.1900

The Frank Archibald Memorial Lecture Series is named in honour of Frank Archibald, aka "Bubba", an Aboriginal man who was born in Oban, near Guyra,[46] around 1885[47] and died on 18 October 1975, aged an estimated 106 years old. He was the eldest grandson[46] of "King Robert"[47] (aka "King Bobby",[48] "King Malawangi",[49][50][51][52][53] "King Billy" or Robert/Billy/Bobby King), whose photo hangs in the Armidale Museum.[46]

As a revered Elder, Archibald could speak seven different Aboriginal languages and understand another two, as well as speaking English. His surname derives from his Scottish father. He was of the Gumbangeri people on his mother's side, but was also initiated into his wife Sarah Morris's people, the Dhungatti nation. A Catholic priest, Father Kelly, helped Archibald to build a house, completed in 1957, in which many relatives came to live. Archibald was revered by the Armidale Koori and community for his knowledge of so many Aboriginal issues, particularly in the education of his people and others.[46]

The Frank Archibald Memorial Lecture was founded by Lynette Riley,[54] with the inaugural lecture given in 1986 by Eric Willmot. Since then, speakers have included:[46]

Controversy

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According to a 2017 Australian Human Rights Commission report based on optional surveys given to students, UNE had the highest reported rate of sexual assaults at universities in Australia, with 4% of respondents saying they had been sexually assaulted; the average rate across all universities was 1.6%.[55][56] Under a previous 2016 freedom of information request UNE had reported there were 22 officially reported cases of sexual assaults on campus over the previous five years, resulting in two expulsions, no suspensions and seven warnings.[57] In February 2017 vice-chancellor Annabelle Duncan said that past UNE policies dealing with sexual harassment did not allow management to handle some cases satisfactorily.[58]

On 1 August 2022, the incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Professor Brigid Heywood, was charged with allegedly assaulting a teenage girl at a club in Armidale on 8 March. Heywood was issued with an attendance notice to appear at Armidale Local Court on 26 September.[59] On 5 August, UNE accepted her resignation.[43]

Coat of arms

[edit]
Coat of arms of the University of New England
Adopted
Granted by the Kings of Arms, 20 May 1955.
Crest
On a Wreath Or and Vert, issuant from a Coronet composed of sprigs of Wattle Vert fructed Or and Acorns also Vert set alternately upon a Rim also Or, a Cresset Sable enflamed Gold.
Helm
A closed Helmet, mantled Vert doubled Or.
Escutcheon
Azure, a Cross Or surmounted of an open Book proper bound and clasped Sable edged of the second, in the first quarter a representation of the Constellation of the Southern Cross, on a Chief Gold three Tudor Roses Argent on Gules barbed and seeded also proper.
Supporters
On either side a Lion guardant Or each gorged with a Cord tasselled Vert pendent therefrom a Bugle Horn Sable garnished Gold.
Compartment
A field of Grass Vert.
Motto
Latin: Ex Sapientia Modus ("Out Of Wisdom Comes Moderation")
Symbolism
The name of the university and the surrounding area (New England) inspires emblems of both Australia and England, with the Southern Cross, and the Tudor Rose in the escutcheon, and the sprigs of Wattle and acorns of English oak trees in the coronet of the crest.[60] The gold lion supporters also represent England, while the green and gold colours of the arms represent the national colours of Australia. The black hunting horns and the green cord on the lions are taken from the family arms of Thomas Richmond Forster, one of the founders of the university who also donated Booloominbah and surrounding land for its establishment as a university college in 1937.[60][61] The black flaming Cresset in the crest and the open book in the escutcheon represent learning and enlightenment.[60] The motto is taken from Agricola (4.5) by Roman writer Tacitus, and was adopted in 1954 by the university council at the suggestion of two lecturers from the Department of Classics, Frank Letters and John Duhigg.[60][62]

Alumni

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See also: List of University of New England (Australia) people

As of 2011, more than 106,000 people hold qualifications from UNE, with many in senior positions in Australia and overseas.[63] There is an active alumni network which contributes to the university, enabling the institution to continue expanding its work and offerings.[64]

Notable alumni include:

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Council Members".
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "UNE Overview". University of New England. Archived from the original on 24 April 2019. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  3. ^ "UNE Armidale".
  4. ^ "Academic Dress of the University of New England" (PDF). www.une.edu.au.
  5. ^ "About UNE". University of New England. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  6. ^ "Armidale". Archived from the original on 16 July 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2010.
  7. ^ "2021 Narrative Report" (PDF). www.une.edu.au. April 2021.
  8. ^ "2019 Student Experience Survey" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  9. ^ Baker, Jordan (10 March 2020). "UNSW students least satisfied in the country, survey shows". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  10. ^ "World University Rankings: Australia". Archived from the original on 4 December 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  11. ^ Belshaw, James (1979). "David Henry Drummond, 1890 - 1930: the formative years". Armidale and District Historical Society: Journal and Proceedings. Vol. 22. pp. 18–42.
  12. ^ Wilks, Stephen (2020). 'Now is the Psychological Moment': Earle Page and the Imagining of Australia (PDF). ANU Press. pp. 200–201. ISBN 9781760463687.
  13. ^ Wilks, p. 202.
  14. ^ "Amalgamation and its aftermath". University of New England. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  15. ^ Messenger, Andrew. "Coronavirus: UNE staff, students tested for COVID-19 as university prepares outbreak plan". Armidale Express. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  16. ^ Bernasconi, Amelia; Craig, Haley (24 September 2020). "Uni of New England slashes more than 100 jobs in restructure". ABC News. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  17. ^ a b "History". University of New England. Archived from the original on 25 February 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
  18. ^ a b "UNE Accommodation". University of New England. Archived from the original on 3 August 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  19. ^ "UNE Sydney".
  20. ^ Furlong, Caitlin (21 August 2021). "University of New England unveils plans for Tamworth campus by 2031". ABC News. Archived from the original on 13 March 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  21. ^ "QS World University Rankings 2025". Quacquarelli Symonds Limited.
  22. ^ "World University Rankings 2024". Times Higher Education.
  23. ^ "Academic Ranking of World Universities 2024". Shanghai Ranking Consultancy.
  24. ^ "U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Rankings". U.S. News & World Report.
  25. ^ "CWTS Leiden Ranking 2024". Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University.
  26. ^ "QS World University Rankings 2025 - Australia". Quacquarelli Symonds Limited.
  27. ^ "World University Rankings 2024 - Australia". Times Higher Education.
  28. ^ "Academic Ranking of World Universities 2024 - Australia". Shanghai Ranking Consultancy.
  29. ^ "U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities in Australia". U.S. News & World Report.
  30. ^ Hare, Julie; Ross, John (4 December 2015). "ERA Research Excellence Rankings Analysis". The Australian. Archived from the original on 4 August 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  31. ^ "Australian University Rankings". Australian Education Network.
  32. ^ a b "Research". University of New England. Archived from the original on 8 December 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  33. ^ "Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit". University of New England. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  34. ^ "SiMERR Home". SiMERR National Research Centre. Archived from the original on 3 August 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  35. ^ "The Institute for Rural Futures". University of New England. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  36. ^ "Browse Courses". University of New England. Archived from the original on 24 October 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  37. ^ Celebrating 40 Years of Peace Studies at UNE. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  38. ^ Peace studies at UNE. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  39. ^ UNE Study Peace Studies. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  40. ^ "Residential Colleges". University of New England. Archived from the original on 11 January 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  41. ^ "New England grazier James Harris named as UNE's new Chancellor". University of New England. 20 November 2014. Archived from the original on 12 April 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  42. ^ "Professor Brigid Heywood appointed as next Vice Chancellor of UNE". University of New England. 18 April 2019. Archived from the original on 16 July 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  43. ^ a b "University of New England vice chancellor Brigid Heywood resigns after being charged with assault". MSN. Archived from the original on 5 August 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  44. ^ "University of New England vice chancellor resigns after schoolgirl assault charge". 5 August 2022. Archived from the original on 8 August 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  45. ^ "Professor Chris Moran appointed next Vice- Chancellor and CEO".
  46. ^ a b c d e "Frank Archibald". University of New England. Archived from the original on 3 June 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  47. ^ a b ""King Sized" Aboriginal Chief saw coming of the white man" (PDF). Dawn. December 1962. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 July 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2022 – via AIATSIS.
  48. ^ "First Nations' culture recognised in playground naming poll". Mirage News. 19 February 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  49. ^ Wright, Kate (30 November 2019). "Place Remembered: Unearthing Hidden Histories in Armidale Aboriginal Community Garden". Australian Humanities Review. Archived from the original on 4 June 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  50. ^ "Indigenous History". Armidale Regional Council. 11 June 2020. Archived from the original on 4 June 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  51. ^ "Lord Jersey's Visit to Armidale". Australian Town and Country Journal. Vol. XLVI, no. 1206. New South Wales. 25 February 1893. p. 12. Archived from the original on 22 August 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  52. ^ "Vice-Regal Visit to Armidale". Evening News. No. 8027. New South Wales. 21 February 1893. p. 4. Archived from the original on 22 August 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  53. ^ "Lord and Lady Jersey in the north". The Daily Telegraph. No. 4262. New South Wales. 22 February 1893. p. 4. Archived from the original on 22 August 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  54. ^ "Lynette Riley - Oorala Aboriginal Centre's Founder". New England Focus. 3 October 2011. Archived from the original on 5 November 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  55. ^ "Search how every university in Australia ranks for sexual harassment and assault". The Age. 1 August 2017. Archived from the original on 4 August 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  56. ^ Bagshaw, Eryk (2 August 2017). "'We should all be shocked' leader of university with worst results comforts students". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 5 August 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  57. ^ Funnell, Nina (10 October 2016). "Full list of universities exposed by sexual assault investigation". News Limited. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  58. ^ Bagshaw, Eryk (27 February 2017). "'Devastating' report shows universities are 'failing' students". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  59. ^ "University of New England vice-chancellor Brigid Heywood charged with teen assault". Archived from the original on 3 August 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  60. ^ a b c d Low, Charles (1971). A Roll of Australian Arms. Adelaide: Rigby Limited. pp. 23–24. ISBN 0-85179-149-2. OCLC 246821.
  61. ^ "UNE Origins - Australia's first regional university". University of New England. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  62. ^ "Important Decision By N.E. University Council". The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser. Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. 3 May 1954. p. 6. Retrieved 23 September 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  63. ^ "Alumni of Distinction and Award Winners". University of New England. Archived from the original on 18 December 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  64. ^ "Alumni and Giving". University of New England. Archived from the original on 23 February 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2017.

Further reading

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  • Margaret Ann Franklin, The New England Experience: Inside Stories of U.N.E., 1938 to 1988, Armidale, N.S.W.: U.N.E. Alumni Association, 1988.
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