June 3, 2015
University of Wollongong government and community engagement activities
The University of Wollongong rejects the inferences of political bias and impropriety in relation to its government engagement activities made by The Australian in the unbalanced article published in its Higher Education Supplement today (‘Cash to Political Parties Queried’, Wednesday June 3, 2015 p.33)
Rather than being an ivory tower institution isolated from the world its graduates are being prepared for, the University of Wollongong has always actively engaged with all levels of the community in Australia and overseas - from senior business leaders and elected representatives through to some of the most marginalised and disadvantaged people in Australia.
The University of Wollongong:
- directs research efforts towards tackling significant local, state and global challenges;
- helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses in a region with high youth unemployment;
- provides campuses in NSW regions which otherwise would have no local access to higher education;
- invests around $1 million annually in a broad range of community engagement activities
- has spent almost half a million dollars since 2005 partnering with community groups via its Community Engagement Grants Scheme;
- has twice been named Commonwealth University of the Year because of its community engagement; and
- last week had its long-term engagement with China recognised in the Westpac China-Australia Business Awards.
Fostering a relationship of mutual understanding and cooperation with both sides of government over a long period of time has been crucial to the University of Wollongong's community engagement success.
As an international institution, the University of Wollongong is invited to attend a wide range of functions. It has chosen to attend those functions which were aligned to its goals and objectives, and which provided opportunities to engage with relevant political representatives currently in government or considered likely to attain government in the near future.
Prior to its defeat at the 2011 elections, the University of Wollongong fostered a close working relationship with the NSW Labor government, attended many ALP-hosted functions, repeatedly welcomed senior ministers and MPs on campus and partnered with the government on the Illawarra Telecommunications Task Force.
Similarly at Federal level, in the period 2001-2010 the University of Wollongong sought to foster understanding and cooperation with opposition Labor MPs and, later, government ministers.
Mr Canio Fierravanti has led the University of Wollongong's government relations activities since 1999 and representative duties are a significant part of this role. In many cases, Mr Fierravanti has been accompanied by senior officers of the University.
The University of Wollongong recently conducted an internal review of past political engagement activities and has ensured all required reporting has been undertaken and that past payments for attendance at ticketed political functions were made in accordance with the policies and procedures in place at the time.
It is normal practice for such a review to be included in the regular audit activities of the University, overseen by the UOW Risk and Audit Committee. The NSW Auditor General is the external auditor of all NSW universities.
Following this review, the UOW strengthened its procedure to enhance transparency and probity measures related to the selection, payment and reporting of attendance at ticketed political functions. The revised procedure has been published on its internal staff intranet.
The University of Wollongong has welcomed the recent release of the NSW Auditor General’s report which contained findings relating to this form of engagement by universities. UOW is actively reviewing this report before determining what further changes, if any, need to be made.
Media contact
Andrew Herring, Media Communications Manager
Tel: +61 2 4221 5501
Mob: +61 409 787 446
Email: andrew_herring@uow.edu.au