Strategic Plan 2024 - 2028

Tyla stands on campus looking into the distance with digital web graphics super imposed on the image.

We Change Lives

The CQUniversity Strategic Plan 2024-2028, We Change Lives reflects the commitment of CQUniversity’s people to its vision and values, and their steadfast belief in the transformational power of education when it comes creating life-changing opportunities and making our regions better.

The Strategic Plan 2024-2028 also sets out CQUniversity’s important role as an agent of profound social impact, by recognising that the University must play a role in the collective global pursuance of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As part of this, the new strategic plan has been designed in a way that seeks to embrace and acknowledge all 17 SDGs, through innovative teaching, training and research excellence.

Through our values-based approach to our People, our Planet and our Partnerships, we will not only shape our own future as an institution, but that of a more equitable, sustainable and just world around us.

Education Futures

The Education Futures project that commenced delivery in 2022, has influenced the determination of CQUniversity’s strategic goals and priorities and the subsequent development of our new strategic plan. The Education Futures project focused on “zooming out” to take a broader look at the global future of higher education, training and skills development to understand the future landscape and CQUniversity’s place within it.

Specifically, this discovery work, invited individuals and operational areas from across the University to identify and explore the current and emerging global trends, social shifts and industry needs that will impact the way future universities operate. The project built a foundation that will allow CQUniversity to meet future change and challenges, while also realising and creating opportunities. It also delivered a framework that will help to future-proof operations and establish a distinct and unique competitive advantage for CQUniversity. 

This knowledge has guided the development of the University’s new strategic plan for 2024-2028 and represents an exciting opportunity for CQUniversity to activate university-wide research and learnings from the Project. For more information about how the Education Futures project informed the new Strategic Plan please review the paper Our Context: Informing Our New Strategic Plan

Our Pillars

Our people are our purpose, and their success is our legacy. We recognise that we need to create transformative life opportunities through fostering the talents and enhancing the potential of our students, staff, alumni, and communities.

We are committed to creating an environment of lifelong learning where people feel empowered and proud to learn, work and grow with CQUniversity. We will be leaders in providing innovative, accessible, supportive and flexible learning, engaged workplaces and enriched societies.

The strategic goals underpinning this focus are:

Students

1.1 Access and Participation: Provide opportunity for all students, no matter where they are, to access high quality education and training that supports their unique needs and wellbeing.

1.2 Innovative Learning Experiences: Deliver vocational to doctoral education, bespoke training, and micro-credentials for students and industry partners, through self-paced, flexible and digital learning options that meet the diverse needs of our learners, creating accessible entry points and clear progression pathways.

1.3 Career Readiness: Provide a curriculum that is informed by world-class research, market intelligence and co-created with our industry partners, embedded with authentic work-based learning opportunities, and driven by relevance to the needs of our students and employers, so they can confidently meet the challenges of the future.

Staff

1.4 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Create an environment that brings out the best in our staff, strengthened by a culture of equality, inclusion, flexibility and innovation so our staff are inspired to achieve and excel, and so they are held in the highest regard nationally and globally.

1.5 Healthy Work Environment: Ensure a safe and healthy work environment with a focus on personal and professional growth, wellbeing and work-life balance, where values-driven behaviour is exemplified.

1.6 Service Excellence: Foster a service excellence culture that is underpinned by evidence-based, ‘no-blame’ real-time feedback and where continuous improvement is actively embraced to ensure our structures, processes and practices empower our vision.

Society

1.7 Alumni and Industry Networks: Connect and work with industry and our alumni to create, maintain and showcase a sense of belonging to the wider CQUniversity community.

1.8 Lifelong Learning: Respond to the needs of our communities, industry and wider society with targeted and relevant lifelong learning opportunities to enhance societal potential and research impact.

1.9 Social Innovation: Uphold the principles of social innovation within all aspects of our operations to support our students, staff, research, and the communities we serve to achieve positive social outcomes.

Aligned with the UNSDGs: 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17

Our planet is in our hands. We recognise that we need to contribute positively to our world by embedding sustainability, enhancing our digital and physical campus footprint, and driving research and innovation to address the challenges of our time.

We are committed to advancing our stewardship to ensure a sustainable future for the University and, in turn, build sustainable regions through our presence and research that aligns with societal needs. We are focused on striking the right balance with our investment decisions to ensure a positive impact on the planet.

The strategic goals underpinning this focus are:

Sustainability

2.1 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Uphold sustainability practices that remain in favour of a healthy planet at every opportunity and ensure the results of our decisions are socially responsible and are removed of any injustice.

2.2 Sustainability Knowledge and Practice: Embed the principles of sustainability into our education, training and research to drive a consciousness and understanding of sustainability.

2.3 Financial Sustainability: Optimise the University’s business model to ensure our financial security and our ability to be agile and responsive in times of disruption.

Place and Presence

2.4 Campus Optimisation: Balance our physical and digital campuses and create a technology-enabled university that fosters an environment for discovery, creativity, connection and wellbeing – an environment that continues to preserve the student experience as our centrepiece through modernised operations.

2.5 Co-location and Collaboration: Open our campuses to industry, employers, community partners, start-ups and commercial operators to co-locate and establish embedded relationships that provide mutual benefits.

2.6 Presence and Reach: Embody our commitment to accessibility and opportunity by strengthening our partnerships with regional university centres, enabling us to expand our reach and enhance student access.

Research

2.7 Research Impact: Be the central hub for research in our regions by addressing the issues that matter most, cementing our unique power of place by undertaking research in practical and sustainable solutions, with national and international impact.

2.8 Researcher Training and Development: Support researchers who push the limits of current knowledge and share their research expertise and outcomes to improve productivity, prosperity, quality of life and global sustainability.

2.9 Entrepreneurialism: Deepen our entrepreneurial collaborations to encourage innovation and produce new technologies, new products and new businesses.

Aligned with the UNSDGs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17

Our success as a university relies on our engagement and collaboration with our partners. We recognise that we need to actively connect and collaborate to share knowledge and ideas that drive impact with mutual and wider benefit from our regions to the world.

We are committed to making a brighter future through drive and imagination in close partnership with our communities and stakeholders. We recognise and value our partners and actively develop our partnerships for the benefit of all.

The strategic goals underpinning this focus are:

First Nations Commitment

3.1 First Nations Voice: Collaborate with Australia’s First Nations peoples to strengthen our relationships with the custodians of the lands hosting the communities we serve, and work together with communities, government, and First Nations organisations to address injustice and provide equality of opportunity.

3.2 First Nations Success: Increase access to education, training and research for our First Nations peoples and provide the support systems for success.

Strategic Partnerships

3.3 Engaged Research: Collaborate with government, industry and community partners on research projects that matter to our regions and convert knowledge into tangible outcomes.

3.4 Alumni and Industry Partners: Engage and leverage our alumni and industry connections to create enduring relationships and opportunities.

3.5 Philanthropy Partners: Grow the culture of philanthropy across individual donors and social and corporate partners to enhance opportunities for our students and communities.

Regional Commitment

3.6 Create Aspiration: Enhance our commitment to schools-outreach and widening regional participation in education, training and employment.

3.7 Regional Impact: Be civic-minded and collaborative with government, industry and community in considering regional needs, seizing opportunities that deliver meaningful benefit for our local communities and industry.

Global Reach

3.8 International Partnerships: Collaborate with key international partners to expand our global reach, grow our international student diversity, gain access to international best practice and enhance our education and training capabilities.

3.9 International Research Collaborations: Develop a suite of international partnerships in key regions critical for research.

3.10 Global Exposure: Increase student access to international mobility opportunities, inward and outward, that encourages them to be global citizens and responsible leaders.

Aligned with the UNSDGs: 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17

Strategic Plan with Vice-Chancellor Nick Klomp

Queensland Government’s Objectives for the Community

The objectives for the community reflect the government’s vision for Queensland and outlines a plan to build future prosperity and growth across the state.

The objectives are long-term and can only be achieved by everyone involved working together. The objectives are Good Jobs, Better Services, and Great Lifestyle. 

CQUniversity contributes directly to the three key objectives and their individuals measures by ensuring our communities benefit from research outcomes and have the knowledge and skills they need to secure meaningful jobs in a range of diverse industries. This ultimately delivers better outcomes to Queenslanders, especially those in regional Queensland.

Supporting Jobs

Good, secure jobs in more industries to diversify the Queensland economy and build on existing strengths in agriculture, resources and tourism.

CQUniversity supports this measure by continually innovating our learning and teaching practices to optimise and personalise the student experience and meet constantly evolving workforce needs. CQUniversity consistently delivers resilient, engaged, work-ready graduates who are not only jobholders but job creators.

Backing Small Business

Help small business, the backbone of the state’s economy, thrive in a changing environment.

CQUniversity supports this measure by being responsive to changing workforce needs in the design and delivery of programs and by leading research critical to the sustainability and prosperity of local industries and economies.

CQUniversity also aims to support local suppliers, including small business and Indigenous-owned business through its procurement policies and practices.

Making it for Queensland

Grow manufacturing across traditional and new industries, making new products in new ways and creating new jobs.

CQUniversity supports this measure by using our reputation as a provider of training and higher education to engage with industry and government on current and future workforce needs, and ensure graduates are equipped with the most relevant skills and knowledge. CQUniversity researchers also engage deeply with industry to deliver solutions to complex industry challenges and realise new efficiencies.

Investing in Skills

Ensure Queenslanders have the skills they need to find meaningful jobs and set up pathways for the future.

CQUniversity supports this measure through investment in new training infrastructure, resources and learning technologies. The University also invests in new training programs to support the changing needs of new and emerging industry in Queensland.

Backing our Frontline Services

Deliver world-class frontline services in key areas such as health, education, transport and community safety.

CQUniversity supports this measure by providing world-class research that informs policy and delivers knowledge in key areas such as health, education, disaster management and resilience and domestic violence.

CQUniversity also delivers world-class education and training in these areas, helping to ensure frontline services have access to skilled and qualified professionals.

Keeping Queenslanders Safe

Continue to keep Queenslanders safe as we learn to live with COVID-19 and ensure all Queenslanders can access world-class healthcare no matter where they live.

CQUniversity supports this measure by providing world-class health research that informs policy and delivers knowledge to communities across Queensland. CQUniversity also delivers courses in several health-related disciplines such as allied health, nursing, social work and psychology. This allows the University to deliver graduates that help to fill roles in areas where critical skills shortages exist, especially in regional and remote areas.

Connecting Queensland

Drive the economic benefits, improve social outcomes and create greater social inclusion through digital technology and services.

CQUniversity supports this measure by delivering world-class higher education and training through sophisticated online learning platforms. CQUniversity helped to pioneer distance learning in Australia and has been delivering education this way for almost half a century. With around half of the current student cohort made up of students studying off-campus, many of whom are based in rural and remote areas. This flexible approach to learning and teaching, and continued innovation in this space, has provided opportunities for thousands of students to complete qualifications, regardless of their geographical location or personal circumstances.

Educating for the Future

Give our children the best start by investing in our teachers and schools.

CQUniversity supports this measure through the delivery of world-class research in education and through the delivery of vocational and higher education courses that prepare students for careers as teachers in our schools and early learning facilities.

CQUniversity also engages in several school outreach programs that help to raise work and study aspirations among primary and secondary students.

Protecting the Environment

Protect and enhance our natural environment and heritage for future generations and achieve a 70% renewable energy target by 2032 and net zero emissions by 2050.

CQUniversity supports this measure by producing graduates who have the knowledge, skills and drive to apply global and sustainable thinking to address complex social, economic and environmental challenges.

CQUniversity also places a strategic focus on environmental sustainability through operational practices including the implementation of waste management and recycling programs on campuses, ambitions energy reduction targets and using renewable energy sources to power campuses. 

The University also conducts research in several areas that aim to support and protect the natural environment and hosts two dedicated research organisations focused on coastal marine ecosystems and hydrogen and renewable energy. 

Growing Our Regions

Help Queensland’s regions grow by attracting people, talent and investment, and driving sustainable economic prosperity.

CQUniversity supports this measure by working directly with community and industry to design and deliver training, education and research that strengthens and builds capacity in the regions. 

As a major employer in regional Queensland, CQUniversity also attracts students and staff to the regions to live, work and study. Many of whom go on to remain in the regions to build their careers and families. 

Building Queensland

Drive investment in the infrastructure that supports the State’s economy and jobs, builds resilience and underpins future prosperity.

CQUniversity supports this measure by delivering skilled professionals to industry, helping to better equip current and future workforces. CQUniversity also invests in new infrastructure projects, including large projects in partnership with government to support the delivery of future education and training in the regions. 

Honouring and embracing our rich and ancient cultural history: Create opportunities for First Nations Queenslanders to thrive in a modern Queensland.

CQUniversity supports this measure through its First Nations research, education and workforce strategies and through its nationwide engagement with First Nations communities and students. 

Through these strategies CQUniversity aims to increase First Nations employment ratios at the University, increase research outputs that benefit First Nations communities, support First Nations researchers, increase access to and improve equity in education and training for First Nations students, and embed First Nations knowledge and principals with the curriculum.

Frequently Asked Questions

CQUniversity conducted direct consultation with several key stakeholders including partners within industry and the community. Our Council members, students, staff and alumni were also invited to share their ideas and thoughts and surveys were conducted throughout both the strategic planning process and through the delivery of the Education Futures project that preceded the strategic planning process.

Education Futures – Understanding Our Position

8 months of consultation

Global Trends

  • 2 workshops with ~20 identified staff working in related fields.
  • Over 600 staff responses to the opportunities and threats survey.
  • 1 council workshop.

Our Markets and Industries

  • 79 unique feedback submissions by regional industry partners.
  • 495 student responses to the student preferences survey.

Our Regions and Products

  • 10 regional workshops.
  • 2 workshops with the tertiary education senior leaders.

Foundational

2 months of consultation 

Our Purpose, Vision and Values

  • 1 executive visioning workshop.
  • 1 council visioning workshop.
  • 1 town hall staff forum.
  • Over 300 staff responses to the strategic charter survey.

Strategic Plan

months of consultation

Our Strategic Goals and Priorities

  • 1 executive strategic directions and priorities workshop.
  • 345 staff responses to the strategic directions survey.
  • 1 council planning and strategy workshop.
  • 1 town hall staff forum.
  • 10 region engagement/ industry advisory committee workshops.
  • Over 500 responses to the new strategic plan survey from students, staff, alumni, donors, partners and stakeholders.

The CQUniversity Strategic Plan 2024-2028, We Change Lives, was approved by the University Council on 5 July and launched on 28 July 2023, with implementation of the plan set to commence on 1 January 2024.

The delivery of the new strategic plan will be led by CQUniversity’s Vice-Chancellor and President however, everyone who works at CQUniversity, regardless of their role, will have an important role to play in realising the strategic goals outlined within the plan.

Official reporting against the Strategic Plan 2024-2028, We Change Lives, will commence at the end of 2024 and be officially reported in the 2024 Annual Report that will be published in early 2025. Operational level reporting will also happen at regular intervals to ensure operational areas are on-track to achieve their goals.

The overall direction of the new strategic plan builds on the achievements of the previous strategic plan Our Future is You: 2019-2023. However, in developing a new strategic plan, the University has reflected on the results of consultation and the learnings from the Education Futures project to sharpen its vision and refine our strategic pillars, goals and priorities; to reflect our future-focus towards genuine accessibility, collaboration and connectedness across education, training and research. The new strategic pillars (People, Planet and Partnerships) capture the purpose and vision of the University and what it needs to become in order to overcome future challenges and realise new opportunities.

As an agent of profound social impact, CQUniversity recognises the important role it must play in the collective global pursuance of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We believe it is critical to embrace the 17 SDGs and acknowledge that it is well within our capabilities and our values to work towards the creation of a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future for all.

The development of the new strategic plan was influenced by our values-based approach to our People, our Planet and our Partnerships, and the realisation that we must not only shape our own future as an institution, but that of a more equitable, sustainable and just world around us.

Questions about the new strategic plan can be directed to communicate@cqu.edu.au.