UNE-Tamworth collaboration a boost for creative industries

Published 19 May 2021

The meeting builds on UNE’s developing relationship with Tamworth industry representatives and political champions, which aims to ensure that academic offerings for the city is aligned to Tamworth’s economic growth goals and skills gaps as identified by industry.

In his presentation to the group that included representatives from visual arts, theatre, fashion design, music, education, Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council, local government and local businesses, Prof. Noble highlighted the value of an arts education saying it is significant that two-thirds of the CEOs of ASX200 companies in Australia have an arts degree.

“Our meeting is not about the benefits to UNE, but about what we can do together to make a difference in the world,” Prof. Noble said.

“It’s about the exchange of knowledge, experience and conversations, and an exploration of partnership opportunities for projects and research. I think we can do some exciting things together over time, both formally and informally.”

Some of the ideas explored at the meeting included conducting HASS intensive schools in Tamworth; academic offerings in the fields of visual arts, curatorship, and art/music as therapy; and the concept of an Indigenous academy.

“We talked about integrating Aboriginal cultural knowledge and learning into the curriculum. While we don’t know exactly what that will look like it would be very exciting to find out,” Prof. Noble said.

Professor Noble concluded his presentation by inviting attendees to regular future meetings.

“I will be travelling to Tamworth monthly to continue the conversation around accessible offerings in the arts and social sciences. We are off to an excellent start and it is important that we keep the momentum going.”

UNE has been working closely with Tamworth stakeholders to improve access to higher education opportunities for the region and to identify areas of teaching, learning and research that is relevant to local industry.

The delivery of Tamworth-specific education and research offerings are coordinated through the UNE Tamworth Industry Academic Advisory Group (TIAAG), which is chaired by Professor Debra Dunstan, UNE Director of Place-based Education and Research, and include members representing local council, industry and Indigenous stakeholders.

TIAAG also provides advice to the UNE Tamworth Steering Group, which is leading the push for a UNE campus in Tamworth.

“We’ve had monthly meetings since October last year,” Prof. Dunstan said “and it is encouraging to see the growing goodwill, trust and positive ground swell of activity amongst members. It is our intention to arrange similar meetings in the future between UNE’s Heads of Schools and different industry groups as we focus on their specific training needs.”

“To further emphasise our commitment to Tamworth and our genuine intent to build meaningful relationships, the UNE Council will hold its next meeting here on 20th May. There will be a full program of activities around the theme of Places and Spaces.”

Tamworth University Reference Group member and retired educator Adele Mazoudier also praised the new university model and implored Tamworth stakeholders to take the opportunity presented in this next phase of consultations.

“UNE Tamworth is going to be different and it’s up to us to make sure it is different,” Ms Mazoudier said. “We’ve got some very talented local people in this room … We’re only limited by our imagination.”

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