The University of Sydney has launched a refreshed Indigenous One Sydney, Many People Strategy 2025 - 2032, outlining its approach to transformational education, research excellence and deeper partnerships.
Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Mark Scott said, “One Sydney, Many People makes it clear that Indigenous knowledges and leadership are fundamental to our future.
“The University's campuses stand on lands that are home to the oldest continuous cultures in the world, and we celebrate this culture and how central it is to our work and study.
“Recognising and valuing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges is what is needed for us all to belong here now, no matter how or when we came.
“I thank the many staff who contributed to shaping a strategy that is institution-wide, ambitious and accountable and I look forward to seeing its implementation across our community.”
Left to right: Karl Hoffman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services), Professor Reuben Bolt, and Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Mark Scott at the launch of the One Sydney, Many People strategy. Photo credit: The University of Sydney/Matthew Venables
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LinkThe refreshed One Sydney, Many People strategy aligns with the University’s Sydney in 2032 strategy to bring together our strategic objectives under four integrated pillars and sets clear direction on the work that we will undertake over the coming years:
- Education is transformational – enabling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to thrive
- Research excellence – elevating 65,000 years of Indigenous knowledge into world-class research
- Partnerships – building trust, sharing knowledge and creating lasting impact
- Governance and leadership – embedding Indigenous leadership and cultural integrity across the institution.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services), Professor Reuben Bolt, said: “This strategy represents a step-change in how Indigenous leadership is understood and embedded at Sydney.
“One Sydney, Many People commits us to Indigenous leadership – not as an add-on, but as core business,” Professor Bolt said. “It recognises the profound contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to this place, and challenges us to lead with integrity and deepen our partnerships.
“Through this strategy, we invite our whole community to walk together, to listen, learn and take shared responsibility in building a University that honours Indigenous knowledges now, and shapes the future of our University”
One Sydney, Many People commits us to Indigenous leadership – not as an add-on, but as core business
Professor Reuben Bolt
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services)
Delivering outcomes
The new strategy builds on the outcomes of the previous One Sydney Many People 2021 – 2024 strategy, which delivered strong, measurable progress reinforcing our leadership in Indigenous higher education.
Under the previous strategy, Indigenous student enrolments increased by 18 percent including 35 percent growth in regional and remote participation. Student success rates reached 93.3 percent, while completions among Indigenous graduates increased by 33 percent since 2021. Targeted outreach and entry pathways strengthened the future pipeline, with Indigenous enrolments up 36 percent over three years. Throughout the previous strategy, residential programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students contributed to a 41 percent improvement in offer-to-enrolment conversion.
These outcomes were underpinned by sustained investment in culturally grounded support, partnerships and governance reform. The University’s Gadigal Centre continued to drive student success and belonging, supported by proactive, data-informed support systems and expanded capacity. Financial assistance proved critical to retention, with 44 percent of Indigenous undergraduates receiving degree-duration scholarships and retention rising to 85 percent. Alongside this, the University advanced Indigenous workforce development, community partnerships, curriculum Indigenisation, and major policy and governance reforms.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services), Professor Reuben Bolt, and Karl Hoffman attend a Smoking Ceremony ahead of the launch of the One Sydney, Many People Strategy. Photo credit: The University of Sydney/Matthew Venables
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LinkKarl Hoffman, Senior Manager, Strategy, said the latest endorsement from the University Executive and Senate reflects the collective effort behind the strategy and its clear direction for the years ahead.
“This new iteration of One Sydney, Many People is the result of deep consultation, careful listening and genuine collaboration across the University,” Karl said. “It provides a clear, accountable framework that brings our Indigenous strategy together and sets out how we will deliver meaningful, measurable change over the next seven years. Thank you to the many staff, students, and partners who contributed through consultations, workshops and feedback during the strategy’s development.”
Over the coming months, teams across the University will work together to design action plans and align delivery with the Sydney in 2032 strategy. Implementation will be supported by robust governance arrangements and formal reviews scheduled for 2028 and 2031.
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