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University of Adelaide Pride Points

Welcome to the University of Adelaide’s database of Pride Points.

Adelaide’s Pride Points provide a common position on our areas of excellence and leadership. It guides us in the themes we want to reinforce with our key audiences. From prospective students to industry, government and alumni.

These key messages can be used across communications channels and brand and marketing platforms.

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  • A confident and distinguished leader
    • The University of Adelaide is the market leader in South Australia and a challenger to the world’s leading universities.
    • One of Australia’s Group of Eight, research intensive universities.
    • Ranked in the top 1% of the world’s universities.
    • Consistently ranked by Times Higher Education, QS and ARWU in the top universities in the world.
    • Five Nobel Prize winners.
    • Over 100 Rhodes Scholars including Australia’s first indigenous winner, Rebecca Richards, in 2010.
    • 116 Fulbright Scholars.
    • Established in 1874, Australia’s third oldest university.
  • A university of global distinction
    • A reputation that stands alongside the world’s elite universities.
    • Academic staff who are global leaders in their field.
    • A history of research breakthroughs that have impacted the world.
    • Graduates that make an impact on the world.
    • 27,000 students with over 6,000 international students from more than 90 countries.
    • Priority partner relationships with nine leading universities.
    • Collaborative research partnerships with world leading institutions in specialist areas, such as the Global Institute of Chinese Medicine and the Australia China Centre for agriculture and health.
    • In 2017 our Confucius Institute celebrates its 10th anniversary.
    • Taking Adelaide expertise to the world with over 350,000 Massively Open Online Courses (MOOCs) learners from 200 countries.
    • Significant investment in new infrastructure while retaining the heritage and culture of what exists.
    • The University continues to invest in important infrastructure projects, providing purpose built learning environments and state-of-the-art technology and settings.
  • World rankings
    • Consistently ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide.
    • Ranked 79 in the Times Higher Education World’s Most International Universities.
    • Ranked 109 in the QS World University Rankings for 2017-18.
    • Ranked 139 in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) for 2016.
    • Ranked 142 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2016-17.
    • Top 200 in all five field measured by the ARWU: Medicine and Pharma, Life Sciences, Social Sciences, Sciences and Engineering.
  • Research with impact
    • A culture of world-class research excellence, innovation and leadership.
    • Five multidisciplinary and iconic research institutes tackling the world’s grand challenges.
    • A member of the Group of Eight, a collaboration of Australia’s most research intensive universities.
    • More than 4500 research staff and students working together.
    • Research improving the lives of millions.
    • Research solving world challenges, including:
            • Feeding the world’s expanding population
            • Managing natural resources
            • Sustaining our environment
            • Creating sustainable energy resources
            • Achieving a healthier society
            • Cyber security
    • Research that contributes to local, national and global wellbeing.
    • Research that transforms people, communities and industries.
    • Research that responds to global and national priorities, addressing the core issues and grand challenges faced by society.
    • Research that has a demonstrable impact on the economy, health, culture, public policy, the environment and quality of life.
    • Significant financial investment in research infrastructure, equipment, interdisciplinary research projects and fellowships.
    • In the 2015 Excellence in Research Australia results, more than 82% of the University’s research areas were rated ‘above’ or ‘well above’ world standard.
    • Our Professor Alan Cooper was South Australian Scientist of the Year 2016 (South Australian Government’s Science Excellence Awards) and had two articles published in Nature in March 2017:
    • A brighter future inspired by research
    • Our experts + Your problems = Solutions
    • Globally engaged experts at work
  • Pioneers
    Adelaide people make an impact on the world
    • A history of break-through research discoveries, including penicillin by Lord Howard Florey who was honoured a Nobel Prize in 1945.
    • Renowned Antarctic explorer Sir Douglas Mawson had a long association with the University that included 31 years as a Professor of Geology and Mineralogy.
    • A history of exceptional graduates including:
      • South Australia’s first NASA astronaut, Dr Andy Thomas who graduated from the University of Adelaide in 1973 with First Class Honours in Mechanical Engineering.
      • Australia’s first female Prime Minister Julia Gillard who studied Law and Arts at Adelaide from 1979 to 1981 and was introduced to politics as President of the Adelaide University Union and served as a student representative on the Adelaide University Council.
      • Home to the first and only father and son Nobel Prize team – William and Lawrence Bragg for their discovery and experimentation of X-ray crystallography.
  • Global and local partnerships
    • We collaborate and partner with global leaders for improved research impact and translation.
    • Researchers work closely with government, industry and the community, translating research into social and economic benefit.
    • Industry access state-of-the-art research facilities to deliver their own product and service innovations, e.g. titanium 3D printing and Australia’s second largest wind tunnel.
    • Our researchers are working with more than 400 government and industry partners per year on research contracts worth more than $40 million.
    • The Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences Building supports around 400 health science researchers and 1600 students, co-located with the new Royal Adelaide Hospital and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI). For our partners it means full integration of healthcare delivery, research and education on the one site, providing rapid translation of research into clinical practice and faster, more cost effective clinical trials.
    • The University supports early stage innovations with funding from the Commercial Accelerator Scheme which has totalled more than $3 million since its inception. Plus millions more leveraged from venture capital and angel investors as well as commercially focused support programs provided by Government.
    • Our partnership with global biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, gives researchers the opportunity to achieve joint publications in high profile journals. With access to their optimised compounds, technologies, multi-disciplinary science, services and know-how to see ideas develop into treatments for patients.
  • Recruitment - the why come here?
    Be surrounded by success
    • Top 1% globally.
    • Learn from the best minds to think like the best minds.
    • The integration of research in teaching.
    • Staff of international distinction.
    • A high achieving global alumni network.
    • Attracting the best students with the potential and ability to succeed.
    • A distinct education experience and graduate attributes aligned to career outcomes.
  • Education - endless possibilities
    • Education underpinned by world-class research.
    • Our ATAR entry scores reflect the high quality of our undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
    • Students experience an educational environment in which lecturers are active researchers and teaching is informed by the latest findings.
    • Relevant to changing requirements of employers and the needs of industry, government and the community.
    • An important contributor to the State Government’s agenda with 26% of the university’s 27,000 students being from countries other than Australia.
    • International students make up 26% of our student population and come from over 110 countries including: China, India, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada and the US.
    • Flexible learning options through face to face, blended and online programs.
    • Taking Adelaide expertise to the world through AdelaideX Massively Open Online Courses (MOOCs)
      • AdelaideX MOOCs have enrolled 350,000 learners from 200 countries, including the US, UK, India, Canada, Brazil, Germany, Spain, Mexico, France, Nigeria, the Netherlands, Egypt, Pakistan, Russia, China, Columbia, South Africa, Poland and Italy.
      • Over 80% of the world’s countries taking part in AdelaideX MOOCs.
    • A distinctive range of disciplines, each with their own points of difference.
  • 142 years of progressive thinking
    • A focus on tomorrow’s entrepreneurs through an education environment where lecturers are active researchers and teaching is informed by the latest findings.
    • An evolving learning syllabus supported by a strong focus on entrepreneurial training.
    • An innovation incubator that builds on our success in translating research for economic and social benefit.
    • The incubator fosters partnerships with industry, entrepreneurs, governments and the broader community, increasing leverage of our research into high-value commercial or social outcomes.
    • An eChallenge business start-up program that supports more than 2500 participants across nearly 700 start-ups with total cash and prizes worth more than $1.4 million each year.
    • 63 invention disclosures in 2015.
    • High performance in commercial contracts and patents, including:
      • 2nd in Australia for the volume of commercial contracts with industry and government.
      • 5th in Australia for overall value of commercial contracts with industry and government.
      • 7th of all Australian universities on number of patents.High performance in commercial contracts and patents, including:
    • A proud history of start-up ventures:
      • In 1987 Repromed Pty Ltd was established as a spin-out company providing clinical services in reproductive medicine. This venture has subsequently played a role in assisting 26,000 couples to achieve their dream of having a child using IVF technology.
      • Snap Network Surveillance Pty Ltd, is set to expand into the international surveillance market. Their software enables CCTV operators to efficiently track targets from camera to camera around the largest and most complex CCTV networks.
  • A history of firsts
    The first Australian university to:

    • Admit women into academic courses (1881)
    • Grant degrees in science (1882)
    • Provide a Bachelor degree in music (1886)
    • Take an x-ray for medical purposes (1896)
    • Establish a Conservatorium of Music (1897)
    • Make provision for the election of the first woman to a university governing body (1914)
    • Graduate a female Doctor of Music (1918)
    • Manufacture insulin (1923)
    • Discover the curative effect of penicillin in various infectious disease (1941)
    • Graduate a female who went on to become a Supreme Court Judge (1965) and Governor of an Australian state (1991)
    • Launch an Australian satellite (1967)
    • Appoint a female Chancellor (1983)
    • Detect gravitational waves with ultra-high precision optical sensors (2016)
  • An important character in history
    • Founded with a noble goal: to prepare for South Australia young leaders shaped by education rather than birth or wealth in a settlement free of old world social and religious inequalities.
    • Established in 1874 and teaching began in 1876.
    • First official lecture was in Latin and the Bachelor of Arts was the first degree offered.
    • First Vice-Chancellor, Dr Augustus Short, had a vision for a university open to investigate new fields such as the sciences, modern literature, art and moral philosophy; subjects other than narrow classics curriculum offered at Oxford University at the time.
    • That vision realised in 1882 when the University became the first in Australia to grant degrees in science.
    • Spirit of enquiry further embraced and the freedom to explore non classical subjects continued.
    • Before reaching the 1900s the university offered degrees in arts, science, law, medicine and music. Additionally mathematics, philosophy, languages and mining engineering were taught. These flagship degrees and disciplines continue at the university today.
    • From its early beginnings, the state of South Australia was a progressive state. It was free settled and the first Australian state to provide voting rights to women. Reflecting the values of the state in which it was founded, the University of Adelaide became the first in Australia to admit women to academic courses in 1881.
    • The history of firsts continued. The University's first science graduate was also its first women graduate, Edith Emily Dornwell who graduated in 1885. It was the first Australian university to establish a Conservatorium of Music, a Chair of Music and a Doctor of Music, and the first to grant that degree to a woman (in 1918).
    • The University of Adelaide also graduated the remarkable Dame Roma Mitchell who went on to become the first female: Queen's Counsel, Supreme Court Judge and Governor of an Australian state (SA).
    • The early pioneers of the University of Adelaide established the academic quality, first-class intellectual environment and distinctive features that remain today. In the 21st century, the University is recognised as a centre for excellence in higher education that nurtures curious minds and delivers world-leading research outcomes.
  • An established community partner
    • Established in 1874, the University of Adelaide is Australia’s third oldest and South Australia’s very first university. A long-standing member of the City of Adelaide and state of South Australia.
    • An iconic Adelaide institution contributing significantly to the health, wealth and wellbeing of the State and a vital part of the cultural, social and intellectual life of the community.
    • Over 140 years of excellence in research and education.
    • Fostering the dissemination of knowledge, sharing of information and inspiring through talent.
    • Public lectures have been held at the University since early beginnings in the 1800s.
    • Tradition of community engagement continues today through a range of activities including public lectures, Research Tuesdays, Elder Hall concerts, public tours and the annual carols on campus.
    • Our biggest day of the year is Open Day where over 12,000 members of the community explore the North Terrace campus.
  • Innovation and commercialisation
    • Igniting innovation. Creating prosperity.
    • Innovation happens when ideas are set free.
    • Innovation is continuous – more like a string of LED’s than one light bulb.
    • Combining academic creativity with commercial rigour.
    • Connecting today’s research with solutions for tomorrow.
    • Creating new industries and changing existing ones.
    • A culture of innovation drives us to constantly challenge the status quo.
    • The positive outputs of our innovations have improved lives, communities and industry.
    • Our researchers have made vital contributions to game-changing inventions throughout history including x-ray crystallography, insulin, penicillin, the Olympic torch and cauldron.
    • Our business incubator, ThincLab, nurtures start-up ventures through training and skill development as well as the provision of business operational services.
    • Through AdelaideX the University offers a free online entrepreneurial course.
    • Grains produced at our Roseworthy and Waite campuses have been wildly adopted by growers and have contributed to billions of dollars worth of harvested production. New wheat, barley, triticale and faba beans varieties have improved production qualities and drought resistance for growers.
      • For the $5 billion a year wheat industry the University is leading a research hub working on 1000 types of wheat varieties and plants from 57 countries to develop tolerance for Australian conditions.
      • Adelaide-bred varieties of barley represent over 50 percent of national production – worth more than $800 million.
      • Royalties generated from the plant varieties we’ve developed return around $3 million to the University each year which is reinvested back into further research.
    • The University’s Muradel spinout based in Whyalla, now employs 14 full time staff.
      • Green2Black technology producing biofuel from sustainable feedstock including tyres, biosolids and algae.
      • Aim is to cut cost of producing biofuel to less than $1 a litre.
      • Company hopes $10.5 million algal biofuel demonstration plant in Whyalla will be catalyst for a major new industry in South Australia and will scale up to full production by 2019.
      • Expansion to commercial production could lead to at least 100 new skilled and operational jobs.
  • Supporting Adelaide business
    These case studies are just an example of the many projects that demonstrate the University of Adelaide's high impact research and the economic benefits for South Australia and local business partners.

    • We work in partnership with industry to develop innovative technologies that give organisations like the Australian Defence Force a real edge.
    • The University of Adelaide’s Institute for Mineral and Energy Resources (IMER) has a strategic partnership with OZ Minerals. We collaborate on research projects including geology, exploration, resource characterization, mind to mill optimisation, geometallurgy and infrastructure development.
    • The University of Adelaide’s Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) and the Adelaide Proteomics Centre have adapted technology used to identify bacteria in hospitals to improve quality control practices in the local brewing industry.
      • Beer contaminated by spoilage microorganisms can cost brewers thousands of dollars for expensive recalls and cause immeasurable damage to brand reputation.
      • IPAS is working with Coopers Brewery and The Hills Cider Company to further develop the technology.
      • Other microbrewers and small-batch beverage companies can also have samples tested using a fee-for-service program.
  • Staff and talent
    • The University of Adelaide attracts and retains staff from across Australia and around the world.
    • Staff who bring with them knowledge, experience, skills and intellectual property to South Australia.
    • The University of Adelaide helps to develop individual potential and support talent.
    • Creating opportunities for all staff.
    • Instilling great pride in our university.
    • Shaping our culture through strong leadership.
    • One of South Australia’s largest private employers.
    • Recognising and rewarding outstanding staff achievements.
    • Attracting and retaining world-class researchers, the most talented early career researchers and research students and preparing them for wider career readiness.
    • Nurturing an outstanding cohort of PhD students – our future researchers.
    • Maintaining the highest integrity, ethics and compliance.
  • Infrastructure and facilities
    • A vibrant campus lifestyle.
    • A blend of historical sandstone buildings and world-class innovative buildings.
    • Sandstone buildings include Bonython Hall, Mitchell building and Elder Hall.
    • Promoting a more sustainable environment on campus through healthy university initiatives for staff, students and the environment.
    • The university’s North Terrace campus is part of Adelaide’s North Terrace cultural boulevard, with the State Library, Art Gallery of South Australia and South Australian Museum. Waite Campus is the pre-eminent plant and agricultural science research site in the Southern Hemisphere.
    • Roseworthy Campus is an internationally renowned centre for excellence in dryland agriculture and animal production. It hosts the state’s only veterinary school and hospital, and houses world-class equine, companion and production animal health centres.
    • In 2017 we opened the $231 million Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences building alongside the new Royal Adelaide Hospital and South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI). Designed to transform the way our medicine, dentistry and nursing students learn and support world-leading medical research and professional practice.
    • The $42 million student hub in the heart of the North Terrace Campus brings together learning, social spaces and student services.
    • The $100 million Ingkarni Wardli building is home to engineering, computer and mathematical science researchers and students. And The Braggs $100 million facility houses the world-leading Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing.
    • The University has built the $37 million Veterinary Health Centre at Roseworthy, $25 million Plant Accelerator at Waite and a $6 million Dental Simulation Clinic.
 

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The University of Adelaide Adelaide, South Australia, 5005 Australia. CRICOS Provider Number 00123M

Telephone: +61 8 8313 4455

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Authorised by:Chief Marketing Officer, Marketing & Communications
Maintained by:Marketing & Communications
Last updated: 15 Mar 2019