Senate discussed the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) for teaching and learning, with the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning), Professor Adam Bridgeman, providing insights from a discussion paper that has been shared with the University community. Building on the University’s sector-leading assessment framework and development of the Cogniti platform, discussion focused on ensuring graduates have the skills to succeed in an AI-enabled world. Fellows highlighted the critical balance between equipping students to use AI effectively and responsibly, while ensuring their learning remains rigorous. They also emphasised the importance of supporting educators to build AI capability as students become increasingly fluent in the technology.

The Vice-Chancellor also updated Senate on the new AI Taskforce he has established to oversee the University’s approach to implementing AI. Early discussions have reinforced the University’s commitment to responsible and ethical AI adoption, capability development, sustainability and public benefit, while supporting integration within the broader Sydney in 2032 agenda.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Mike Ryan, briefed Senate on his first 100 days in the role. He highlighted some of the University’s many significant research successes and shared his observations on the University’s research strategy and performance, as well as the impact of key external dynamics, such as changing research funding models and international university rankings performance.

Senate discussed a regular update on work to improve the student experience, noting that Semester 1 2026 student experience results were broadly positive, with student success rates at an all-time high and unit of study survey (USS) scores approaching their all-time high. A Sense of Belonging Survey provides new analysis of what drives belonging, directly informing Semester 2 programs. A new Student Evaluation of Teaching (SET) survey replaces USS as the University’s primary teaching quality instrument from Semester 2.

The Chair of the Academic Board briefed Senate on the Board’s fourth meeting of 2026, which focused on several matters directly relevant to Senate’s oversight responsibilities, including the University’s response to artificial intelligence (AI), academic integrity in an increasingly sophisticated environment of contract cheating and examination misconduct, and a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape, including changes to the Higher Education Standards Framework and national security obligations.

Senate approved amendments to the University of Sydney (Academic Board) Rule to align it with the University of Sydney (Delegations of Authority) Rule relating to award course approvals. The amendments confirm that the relevant Academic Board committees responsible for course approval, accreditation and re-accreditation or discontinuation are the responsible bodies for approving award course changes, while the full Academic Board retains reporting and oversight responsibilities.

Senate also endorsed the discontinuation of admission to combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies degrees from 1 January 2027. The proposal, which had received prior approval from the Undergraduate Studies Committee and the Academic Board, followed a comprehensive review of the combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies degrees, informed by student feedback and consultation with educators, employers, and the broader University community.

Leaders from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences briefed Senate on the faculty’s efforts to build on recent progress in student experience, curriculum innovation, teaching quality and research performance through work under the University’s Collective Excellence program.

Senate Fellows discussed a range of themes with the Dean, Professor Lisa Adkins, and Faculty General Manager, Jessica Morris, including efforts to strengthen staff engagement (informed by Sydney Listens and other feedback), and to support academics in securing competitive research funding. Fellows welcomed efforts to strengthen partnerships across the University, emphasising the importance of humanities and social science perspectives to education and research in health, science and technology disciplines.

Senate received an update on student enrolment projections for Semester 2 and discussed potential strategic interventions to respond to major structural shifts in the international student market. Long‑term reliance on a small number of source countries continues to expose Australia’s higher education sector to geopolitical, financial and policy risks. Senate discussed key priority markets to enable continued diversification of the University’s student body, in addition to the need to consolidate in existing core markets.

The Vice-Chancellor updated Senate on his appearance before the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, where he outlined the steps the University has taken to help ensure all staff, students and visitors feel safe and welcome. (Read the Vice-Chancellor’s 15 July message to the University community)

Senate discussed related work to strengthen the University’s capability to support constructive disagreement, academic freedom and freedom of speech, while better aligning existing policies and programs. Fellows welcomed the focus on partnership between the Community and Leadership Portfolio and colleagues across the University to promote civility as a foundation of knowledge production, and on building on existing activity rather than creating additional workstreams.

Senate received an update on the University’s principles-led approach to strengthening complaint management, with a focus on improved reporting and building staff capability as a new model is embedded. The program has moved closer to completion following procurement of a new technology platform. Senate Fellows welcomed the update and encouraged prompt implementation of the improved approach.

Senate received an update on University leadership’s responses to the 2026 Sydney Listens staff engagement survey – a key input into the University’s strategic aspiration to be a better place to work and a place that works better. 2026 results have been shared more quickly than in previous years, enabling leaders to engage staff and commence action planning sooner. Senate will receive further reports in coming months on how the University Leadership Group is responding to learnings from Sydney Listens.

Senate endorsed a new Climate and Nature Transition Plan 2026–32, which succeeds the inaugural Sustainability Strategy 2020–25 and establishes the University’s long-term approach across four areas of focus: climate mitigation, climate adaptation and resilience, nature, and circularity. The plan, which will be published shortly, translates identified climate and nature-related risks and opportunities into 12 public targets, supported by implementation pathways, governance arrangements and performance measures.

Senate approved the University’s planned submission to the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) for registration of a new Sydney Conservatorium of Music location in Parramatta. This new teaching and research space reflects the University’s commitment to increasing its impact in Western Sydney as part of the Sydney in 2032 Strategy. As the University’s first non-health teaching initiative in Parramatta or Westmead, it will further strengthen the University’s presence and engagement in the Western Sydney community.

Senate discussed the Institutional Balanced Scorecard for the second quarter of 2026, which shows that the University’s overall performance remains broadly positive across the strategic KPIs that inform progress towards the aspirations in our Sydney in 2032 strategy. The University met performance targets for low-SES student representation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student representation, and staff engagement, with the latter exceeding both 2025 and sector benchmarks.

Senate Fellows noted broadly stable operational performance across cyber security, health, safety and wellbeing, central operations, risk, finance and human resources, while also noting that the University’s risk environment continues to require active Senate oversight. Key areas include heightened cyber threat activity and outside-appetite risks for infrastructure and maintenance programs that are either stable with mature responses or increasing in significance, as well as workforce matters including casualisation, recruitment activity and pay equity.

Senate noted the recent appointment of external members to Senate committees, which had been approved at the last meeting of Senate’s Nominations and Governance Committee. Dr Amelia Hill-Salter, a current member of the Senate Finance Committee, has been appointed as an external member of the Finance Investment Subcommittee from 1 August 2026 to 31 August 2028, and Jackie Lee-Joe has been re-appointed as an external member of the Senate Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee for a further term from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2028.

In addition to the above, Senate received reports from its Audit, Risk and Compliance, People and Culture Committee, Nominations and Governance Committee and Honorary Awards Committee. The Chancellor also briefed Senate on his recent engagements, or engagements by other Fellows of Senate deputising on his behalf.

Present: David Thodey AO (Chancellor), Professor Mark Scott AO (Vice-Chancellor and President), Shirley Chowdhary, Edwina Grose, Professor Jane Hanrahan, Weihong Liang, Susan Lloyd Hurwitz AM, Lisa McIntyre, Karen Moses OAM, Professor Joel Negin, Emeritus Professor Alan Pettigrew, Jason Yat-sen Li (part only)

Apologies: Professor Tom Calma AO, Professor Ben Saul

Absent: Ethan Floyd