The University of Newcastle and Port of Newcastle have signed a memorandum of understanding, helping to create future learning and career pathway opportunities for students.
The organisations have pledged to collaborate across areas that focus on the region’s growth, economic diversification and social cohesion.
Port of Newcastle CEO Craig Carmody and University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky signed off on the five-year framework.
Professor Zelinsky said it was an exciting opportunity to collaborate with a high-performing organisation like Port of Newcastle.
“Through the Newcastle Institute of Energy and Resources, we will strengthen our work with the Port of Newcastle on new energy, including hydrogen, where I see huge potential for the region,” he said.
“Our university is committed to this region’s economy. Our research is critical for new industries, and our students will form the workforce for decades to come.
“The University of Newcastle teaches more than 39,000 students every year, and we need to prepare them for the workforce of the future. This means allowing them to work before they graduate and to make sure we’re shaping new degrees to what the region needs.
“I’m also particularly excited about the opportunity for us to work with Port of Newcastle on initiatives that provide more opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our community.”
Craig Carmody said they would now be able to create career pathway opportunities for students at a local level and support the development of new economies.
“Through this partnership, we will be able to identify collaborative opportunities in research and development, talent development and education, innovation programs, community engagement, diversity and new trades development that will be needed into the future to support the port’s diversification agenda and local industries as they evolve,” Carmody said.
“Our port is already a significant driver of economic prosperity in the Hunter, and this partnership with the University of Newcastle will, through educational and integrated employment opportunities, inspire the next generations of port workers and ensure the region has several significant growth industries to create jobs in the near future and for our children in the decades ahead.”
Information source: Media release, University of Newcastle