Goal #8
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
UNSW is committed to this goal and demonstrates its commitment through:
- harnessing of research in commerce and social sciences to deliver economic, environmental and social benefit.
- programs that deliver workforce ready graduates.
- our role as an employer of choice and implementing sustainable procurement.
- partnerships with universities and broader communities to create new opportunities for job creation, and reduce modern slavery.
Economic growth without the exploitation
Modern slavery is prevalent across the world, including in Australia, in a range of industries and global supply chains and the tensions between decent work and economic growth are immense. When economic growth is not inclusive, people do not have decent work or productive employment and inequality increases. As more wealth gets concentrated in a small fraction of the population, stress and tensions increase amongst social groups. Society as a whole benefits when more people are being productive and contributing to its growth. So how can we help?
UNSW Australian Human Rights Institute
In 2019 the UNSW Australian Human Rights Institute (AHRI) hosted the 'Innovate Rights' conference addressing Modern Slavery and exploring ‘What does a good modern slavery reporting and assurance program look like?'.
Overhauling Australia’s modern slavery laws
The video on the right, produced by UNSW students Claris Lai, Flora Wu, Kyle Zhang, Kyle Zhang and Qin Yan raises awareness about modern slavery in areas such as the garment and food industries.
UNSW Strategy in Action 2025
Universities are at the heart of the sophisticated global knowledge system shaping our future and UNSW has a key role to play. We aspire to improve lives globally, through partnerships, innovative research, transformative education and commitment to a just society.
The 2025 Strategy commits UNSW to:
Excellence
Deliver excellence in education and research that attracts the world’s best students and staff to develop capability and contribute to society.
Curriculum
Deliver a rigorous, innovative, and inclusive curriculum characterised by evidence-based pedagogies and assessments, to produce graduates equipped with the skills needed for rewarding careers in a changing world.
Knowledge exchange
Increase the percentage of UNSW staff engaged in Knowledge Exchange to enable the translation and impact of our research to advance social progress and sustainable economic prosperity.
UNSW 2025 Strategy Update
This document celebrates the key achievements of the first phase of the 2025 Strategy, highlighting where we have come from and where we are now. It also updates the framework against which we will assess, track and measure existing and new strategic initiatives over the next five years.
Sustainable Procurement Vision 2018-2025
UNSW's Sustainable Procurement Vision 2018-2025 aims to deliver outstanding environmental, social and economic benefits to UNSW students, staff and community through understanding and strengthening UNSW supply chains.
Work Integrated Learning (WIL)
In 2022, 9,605 students across all UNSW Faculties (Canberra and Sydney) undertook a WIL activity which strengthens students’ work readiness skills and enhances employability through integrating academic learning with practice.
Free virtual internships
Forage (formerly InsideSherpa) as part of UNSW Founder's Flagship accelerator Founders 10x, creates virtual internship programs for any student to upskill on tasks directly relevant to employers.
Career Discovery Mentoring Program
The Career Discovery Mentoring Program connects UNSW students with established industry professionals, providing students with opportunities to focus on career development during the transition from study to work.
Flexible Work Policy
UNSW is committed to developing a high-performing workplace culture that enables staff to integrate their work and other life responsibilities. In 2022, UNSW finalised the Flexible Work Policy, which better reflects the changing nature of the way we work.
Awards
Most Employable Graduates
For the third year in a row, UNSW Sydney was named AFR Most Employable University at the 2022 Top100 Future Leader Awards, with a record 42 students named in the Top100 Future Leaders Competition.
UNSW Founders
In 2022, The Australian ranked UNSW 1st for producing venture-backed entrepreneurs. This is a testament to the quality of the Founders Program and the hard work of the students, faculty, and staff involved.
UNSW Ageing Futures Institute
Population ageing is one of humanity’s most pressing challenges. The UNSW Ageing Futures Institute will conduct research and translate it into policy and practical outcomes, to enable optimal ageing for individuals and society.
UNSW Sustainable Development Goals 2022 Report
This report outlines UNSW's performance against the SDGs in 2022.
