UNSW have recently released their 2025 Strategy Update report, and a key focus of the Strategy is how UNSW’s teaching and research efforts can contribute to broader societal good, including supporting national productivity, and by extension, national prosperity. The focus for this lunch with Professor Attila Brungs, was building a productive, future economy. 

UNSW and the wider university sector, are well placed to contribute to the five pillars for improving national productivity, as set out recently by Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers as a top priority. The five pillars for reform outlined by the Treasurer include:

• Creating a more dynamic and resilient economy 
• Building a skilled and adaptable  workforce
• Harnessing data and digital technology
• Delivering quality care more efficiently
• Investing in cheaper, cleaner energy and  the net zero transformation

Universities will be central to the first three of these pillars, and are also able to contribute substantially to the other two. UNSW already has a strong track record of producing employable graduates and undertaking research that addresses major societal challenges, such as HIV, solar energy and clean drinking water.

Apart from discussing the important pillars, this lunch was also an opportunity for the Vice-Chancellor to set out his vision as to how UNSW and other universities can contribute to the pressing productivity agenda heading forward. 

After the Vice-Chancellor’s address, we had a panel of industry experts to discuss the important role of the University in improving national productivity. 

Our panellists were:

• Professor Attila Brungs, Vice-Chancellor and President, UNSW Sydney
• Sue Vercoe, Managing Partner, SEC  Newgate
• David Klineberg, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, VueMotion
• The Hon Gabrielle Upton FAICD FRSN, Non-executive Director, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and 
• Dr Sherman Chan, Chief Economist of Business NSW who  facilitated the panel.

The vote of thanks was moved by Samantha Devlin, CEO & Co-Founder, The Careers Department.