UTS nabs community gold

The classification by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has been the leading framework for community engagement in the US for the past 17 years. And now it’s made its way to our shores. 

At a conference on Tuesday 21 November 2023, Engagement Australia announced UTS and the Australian Catholic University as the inaugural recipients of the Australian classification. 

UTS is, and always has been, an outward-looking university. As a public institution, working with and for community across our research, education and practice is fundamental to our purpose. We can only realise our mission for public good through robust, collaborative two-way partnerships.

Professor Andrew Parfitt, UTS Vice-Chancellor and President

‘The launch of the classification has come at a pivotal point in Australian higher education,’ says the Honourable Professor Verity Firth, UTS Pro Vice-Chancellor (Social Justice and Inclusion), who chairs the National Advisory Committee for the Carnegie Elective Community Engagement Classifications in Australia. 

Professor Firth nods to the Universities Accord Interim Report released earlier this year, which ‘Declares community engagement to be a central part of university missions, calling for the sector and government to recognise and formalise this.' She describes the Carnegie classification as a rigorous and independent way to do so. 

Walking the talk 

Rounding out an exciting week, UTS's long-standing history of community engagement was demonstrated on Wednesday 22 November, during the Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion's Social Impact Showcase. 

The event highlighted a year of exceptional community engagement, bringing students, academics and community partners together. UTS Shopfront, a program that pairs UTS with community organisations to create coursework projects responding to a real business need within the organisation, was front and centre. 

Throughout 2023, Shopfront engaged 1900 students across 183 community-based projects, providing students with real-world experience and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference. 

Being recognised for the ‘Diverse and long-running efforts across the university to embed co-creation and partnerships as part of our curriculum, scholarship, and practice is a testament to our extended community’s dedication to positive social impact,’ said Professor Parfitt.