The Faculty of Engineering has launched a pioneering three-year strategy centred on transformative student-focused education, research excellence with real-world impact, and a culture grounded in community, diversity and collective responsibility.
The Faculty of Engineering’s 2025–2028 strategy sets a clear path toward the Sydney 2032 vision outlining priorities that will guide excellence in teaching and research, drive innovation, strengthen collaboration, and maximise impact
“At the heart of this strategy lies a fundamental cultural transformation, deeply rooted in the University’s core values of excellence, trust and accountability.” Dean, Hesham El Gamal said. “This transformation seeks to redefine excellence as a collective responsibility shared by every member of our academic and professional community".
The strategy focuses on three key priorities:
- advancing student-centric education design;
- driving deep technological innovation and impactful collaborations; and
- fostering a culture of excellence built on collegiality, diversity, and shared responsibility.
This strategic plan reflects the collective vision of our entire community. More than a roadmap it is a clear statement of our shared values, aspirations, and commitment. Through our dedication to excellence, collaboration, and impact, we are shaping a future where our faculty stands as a global leader in engineering education and research
Professor Hesham El Gamal
Dean, Faculty of Engineering
Student-centric education design
Over the next three years, the Faculty of Engineering’s goal is to empower every academic to create a supportive and engaging learning environment that prepares students for their future careers.
A commitment to educational excellence will be demonstrated by encouraging and supporting staff through advanced teaching tools, interactive digital resources, timely feedback mechanisms, and immersive learning experiences—transforming education and embedding these approaches in professional development. The approach to education will be reimagined and include the learning experience in large cohort units of study.
“A research centre dedicated to advancing engineering and computing education through innovation, industry partnerships and global best practice will be established as part of the Engineering Strategy 2025-2028.
The Centre for Applied Research in Engineering and Computing Education (CARE) will investigate methods that leverage emerging technologies to ensure excellence in education for our engineering and computer graduates of the future. The Centre will enable staff to develop, pilot and evaluate ideas to drive excellence in the curriculum and teaching practices, and create a scholarly community of practice for academics, staff, and educational designers.
Deep technological innovations and collaborations for impact
Interdisciplinary teams will collaborate across the University to drive high-quality, high-impact research that makes meaningful contributions to knowledge and its real-world translation. By fostering collaboration and supporting bold, well-considered research directions, the aim is to spark significant advancements in industry and deliver societal impact.
The Faculty will launch two major initiatives to strengthen research culture and amplify impact.
The Sydney Engineering Breakthrough Challenge will incentivise revolutionary, high-impact research by addressing fundamental gaps in engineering knowledge and practice and pushing the boundaries of expertise within engineering disciplines. At the heart of the challenge is the recognition that the most innovative and impactful solutions often happen at the intersection of different perspectives within the broader domain of engineering research.
The Centre for Applied Research in Engineering and Computing Education (CARE) will investigate methods that leverage emerging technologies to ensure excellence in education for our engineering and computer graduates of the future. The Centre will enable staff to develop, pilot and evaluate ideas to drive excellence in the curriculum and teaching practices, and create a scholarly community of practice for academics, staff, and educational designers.
The Catalyst for Impactful Collaborations will unite teams across the University of Sydney and beyond to support the University’s 2032 goal of research excellence, with a focus on practical, solutions-driven outcomes. It will prioritise early to mid-career staff through networking, co-location, and inter-faculty collaborations.
Excellence through collegiality, diversity, and collective responsibility
In every endeavour, a culture of collective responsibility will be embedded and underpinned by values of accountability, responsibility and collegiality. Collective responsibility will enhance the performance of the Faculty while fostering individual excellence and modelled by leadership and senior staff. .
Accountability, transparent communication and collegial collaboration is core to the strategy. At the same time, the Faculty will enable and empower a diverse and inclusive Engineering community that values and supports all staff and students, helping to maximise the impact of its work.
Staff and student diversity will be advanced through targeted initiatives to actively recruit and support individuals from underrepresented groups, including tailored recruitment efforts, mentorship programs, and professional development opportunities.
The Women in Engineering program is an inclusive, multi-faceted initiative designed to support women students through outreach, targeted recruitment, scholarships, mentoring, networking, and ongoing academic and professional support.
There will be a focus on broadening career pathways of HDR and early career academics by offering support into different career paths across academia, industry and entrepreneurship. The Faculty will encourage students to pursue industry internships and attend workshops, academic panels, and industry events.
The development of the strategy was shaped through a deeply collaborative and consultative process. Staff at all levels were invited to contribute through a range of opportunities, including working groups, interactive workshops, and targeted consultations—ensuring a diversity of voices helped shape its direction and priorities.
“Reflecting on the thoughtful and insightful discussions that shaped this strategy, I’m inspired by the renewed focus and shared commitment to the cultural transformation underway in the Faculty.” Professor El Gamal said. “I look forward to seeing this collaborative effort drive meaningful change—for our staff, our students, and the society we seek to positively impact.”