LUMEN Winter 2019 - Flipbook - Page 3
ViceChancellor’s
Welcome
As an alumnus and Vice-Chancellor of this
University, I have spent a great amount of time
thinking about what defines a university.
The University of Adelaide is not its campuses,
staff, students or university council. It is the group
of people who identify as the University of Adelaide,
and, of course, this is largely made up of our alumni,
including you and me.
At last count, we have more than 146,000 alumni
in more than 130 countries around the world.
Together, we form a global community whose
collective achievements have an incredible societal
impact. Staying connected with our global family is
important. You are part of that world that keeps
us in touch with the rest of the world; that spine
that connects the university to industry
and community.
I have had the pleasure of meeting some of you
at alumni receptions held this year in Sydney,
Shanghai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh
City and New York. I look forward to meeting many
more of you at planned future events both close to
home and further afield in the lead up to our 150th
celebrations in 2024.
As you would be aware, the University released its
new strategic plan Future Making earlier this year.
The plan outlines our trajectory over the next seven
to 10 years and sets out an ambitious path, charging
us with the role of future maker – for the future
economic, social and cultural benefit of our State,
and of us all.
No longer will our University be just a commentator
on society, we will become an active participant in
society. We commit to listening to the voice of our
community, aligning ourselves with industry and
community needs and aspirations.
Our alumni play a significant role in the plan. Closer
engagement with our graduates, past and present,
will strengthen our knowledge of external trends and
bring a sharper global perspective to our community.
Our alumni also offer current and future students
experience and wisdom to guide them during their
studies and beyond. We are also working hard to
create more opportunities for you to participate in
the life of your alma mater.
Our alumni are our greatest ambassadors and agents
of change. As we look back over our history, we see
a tradition of excellence. We have five Nobel Prize
winners associated with the University of Adelaide
and 111 Rhodes Scholars.
Our alumni’s achievements were celebrated recently
at the University’s Annual Town and Gown evening,
where many people from across our community,
including alumni, key industry and government
stakeholders and other supporters came together to
celebrate our University and it’s place in this
dynamic city of ours.
It is important from time to time to draw people with
shared interests into the larger University of Adelaide
community. In fact, we are reinvigorating our
campuses to make them more welcoming for our
staff, students, affiliates, alumni and the broader
community. We are also developing a year-round
events program to engage our communities in the
social and intellectual fabric of the campus. This is
part of our plan to become The Beating Heart
of Adelaide.
I think we all recognise the power of a great
education; the meaning it has given our lives. Like
me, I’m sure you have a great sense of pride in our
University. Now we are trying to build that sense
of belonging.
I hope you feel inspired, as I have, by the alumni
whose stories are contained within this edition
of lumen.
Thank you for maintaining your connection with the
University of Adelaide.
Happy reading.
ALUMNI MAGAZINE - WINTER 2019
01
