Senate endorsed the action plan and evaluation framework that underpins the University’s approach to implementing the new sector-wide National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence. Under the Code, which comes into effect in 2026, the University must develop a prevention and response plan, which aligns a whole-of-institution strategy to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. The Vice-Chancellor has signed off on a new policy, which comes into effect from 1 January 2026.

The Senate received an update on the University’s implementation of the Code which has been developed through consultation and engagement with affiliated organisations (such as the residential colleges and student representative groups), and broader staff and student communities. Following Senate endorsement, the University will take a number of steps to operationalise the Code, including communication with our students and staff. Senate will receive regular updates on implementation of the plan and the effectiveness of the policy.

Senate invited the General Secretary of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) to discuss the recent NTEU report on university governance. 

Senate received an outline of the integrated plan for the next three years in support of our Sydney in 2032 strategy. Senate stressed the imperative of the academic mission: delivering outstanding teaching and learning and research – and continually connecting our strategic goals to this mission. This work includes the Collective Excellence program, driving excellence in professional services and delivering the Digital Sydney program. Senate discussed other targeted priorities, including improving the student experience, broadening the diversity of our community, and progressing the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator. Senate also discussed overall governance of the integrated plan and how the University plans to improve delivery of strategic programs.

Senate received a brief update on the ‘Collective Excellence 2028’ program, which will enable measurable impact through integrating strategic University-wide education and research initiatives with locally designed faculty initiatives. University leadership have previously briefed staff about the development of the plan and will share the final plan with the University community following the annual closedown, in parallel with work to develop detailed measures and targets with the University’s faculties and portfolios. Senate will receive a further detailed report on the program in March 2026.

In a separate item, Senate also received an update on the institutional balanced scorecard that integrates the University’s key institutional performance indicators with leading indicators and operating measures across students, research, people, brand and reputation, finances, and operations. The University’s performance against our KPIs will be published in the Annual Report, which is approved by Senate.

Senate approved One Sydney, Many People 2025–32, our strategy to build on work of the 2021–24 Indigenous strategy. Following Senate approval, a formal launch event is being organised for early 2026 to engage our entire University community.

Senate discussed the University’s approach to international student enrolments and asked management to develop a detailed plan in early 2026. Ongoing diversification of the University’s student cohort also aligns with the Sydney in 2032 strategy’s aspiration to ensure our community thrives through diversity.

Senate received a detailed briefing on research strategy and support, benchmarking performance, the research landscape, and work underway to foster a connected, vibrant research ecosystem. Commercialisation metrics have seen a strong uplift along with application rates across all schemes, and recent success in the ARC Centres of Excellence scheme was a particular highlight. Notwithstanding several successes, research income remains an important area of focus, especially for income requiring external partnerships with government or industry, given the opportunity it presents.

Senate also discussed research priorities for 2026, including research strategy consultation and development, income diversification strategy, phase 2 of the Graduate Research School, a University-wide HDR strategy​, digital transformation​ that dovetails with the University’s broader work to improve its digital infrastructure and establishment of a venture capital fund.

In addition to the above, Senate received and discussed a number of regular reports on work health and safety, risks, cyber security, operational and financial performance, and well as reports from Senate committees.

The Chancellor briefed Senate on his recent engagements, or engagements by other Fellows of Senate deputising on his behalf.

In his report, the Vice-Chancellor provided Fellows of Senate with an overview of 2025, which marked the 175th anniversary of the University. He also briefed Fellows on the external operating environment and higher education policy developments, construction works scheduled for the end-of-year break to take advantage of the reduced student and staff presence on campus, and an overview of the recent examination and graduation season. He also updated Senate on preparations for the Semester 1 2026 admissions period.

Senate discussed the report from the Academic Board’s final meeting for 2025, which addressed strategic priorities, governance matters, curriculum reforms and quality assurance initiatives aligned with the University’s 2032 Strategy. Senate approved the revised Resolutions of Senate, which serve as the list of degrees, diplomas and certificates authorised by Senate to be offered and conferred by faculties and schools in 2026. Senate also approved the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2025 for implementation on 1 January 2026. The rule consolidates and updates the governance framework for HDR candidature, reflecting the University’s commitment to maintaining high academic standards and compliance.