A History of Engagement

Community action played a key role in bringing a university presence to Wollongong and its region more than 50 years ago. Since that time, the University of Wollongong has acknowledged unreservedly its responsibilities, under its Governing Act, to provide education and research facilities, to disseminate knowledge and to conduct research with regard to the needs of the community. The University Act also recognises the University’s function to participate in public discourse and provide cultural, sporting, professional, technical and vocational services to the community.

The University has been a primary factor in the region’s shift from its traditional economic base of heavy manufacturing industry and coal-mining to a more diversified and sustainable economy.

As a regional university, the University of Wollongong has forged strong links with the regional community. It has become a major driver of regional development, is the second largest non-government employer in the region and injects more than $500 million into the regional economy each year.

The University is well connected with communities it serves. A major feature of this is its multi-site structure, with its main campus located in Wollongong, NSW and satellite campuses in Nowra, Bega, Batemans Bay, Moss Vale and Loftus.

Internationally, the University contributes significantly to Australia’s growing reputation as a provider of quality education through its programs that attract overseas students to study in Australia and through its provision of off-shore courses at the University of Wollongong in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and partner institutions in other countries including China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand.