Universities have always helped shape the economic and social trajectory of cities and nations. But Adelaide University arrives at a time when South Australia is confronting a profound set of questions about its future: how we grow the economy, how we build a skilled workforce, how we retain talent, how we ensure opportunity is shared more equally and how we position ourselves competitively in an increasingly complex global environment.

What makes the formation of Adelaide University unique is the level of ambition and alignment that sits behind it.

There is genuine goodwill, motivation and support across all levels of government, industry and the broader community to ensure the new university succeeds. That kind of collective ambition is rare, particularly at this scale. It creates the conditions for something genuinely unique to emerge, not simply another higher education institution but a university designed with the explicit purpose of helping shape the future prosperity of South Australia.

Around the world, the eyes of other universities – and, indeed, other cities – are now firmly on Adelaide.

Under the new leadership of Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Nicola Phillips, the institution is beginning to articulate a vision that reaches well beyond the operational mechanics of a merger. The focus is shifting towards a long-term strategic vision that considers the kind of institution Adelaide University wants to become over the next decade, and more importantly, what kind of state it can help South Australia become.

In a recent conversation with Prof. Phillips, hosted by the Committee for Adelaide, three clear priorities stand out.

The first is equity. Access and opportunity are being positioned not as secondary considerations but as foundational principles explicitly stated in the university’s founding act and core to its vision for excellence. That matters enormously for South Australia. Too often, conversations about education focus only on those already predisposed to participate. The greater challenge – or perhaps opportunity – is creating an aspiration for higher education where it may not already exist, particularly across outer metropolitan, regional and disadvantaged communities.

If Adelaide University succeeds in expanding participation and unlocking pathways for people who may never have previously considered higher education attainable, the long-term economic and social dividends for the state will be profound. Equity is not simply a moral objective, it is an economic imperative, and a more inclusive education system ultimately means a larger, more capable and more productive workforce.

The second priority Prof. Phillips focused on was industry integration and the profound opportunity Adelaide University presented for local businesses.

For decades, universities and industry have often operated in parallel, rather than in partnership. Adelaide University is intent on changing that model by embedding collaboration with business and industry from the outset, co-designing research, workforce capability and skills development in real time, rather than relying solely on downstream commercialisation.

That approach has the potential to become one of South Australia’s greatest competitive advantages. At a time when the state is rapidly expanding in sectors such as defence, advanced manufacturing, health, space, clean energy and digital technologies, the ability to align education and research directly with workforce and industry needs is critical. The university has an opportunity to act not only as a knowledge institution but as a strategic enabler across the state economy.

That opportunity does not lie solely with the university. For local industry, this is a once-in-a-generation chance that must be fully embraced. Now is the time for industry to connect, advocate, re-imagine and partner with Adelaide University to ensure its success. The university already works closely with local industry to inform and deliver curriculum that aligns with the skills needed. Now is also the time to utilise and push the boundaries of research, establish new and improved partnerships and be ambassadors for transformational change.

The third priority is trust and accountability. Large institutions only succeed when communities believe they exist to serve the public interest. Prof. Phillips’ emphasis on transparency and accountability reflects an understanding that Adelaide University must earn and maintain public confidence as it grows into one of the country’s largest universities and supports more than 70,000 students.

That trust will matter because the institution’s influence will extend far beyond campuses and classrooms. Universities shape migration patterns, workforce pipelines, innovation ecosystems, civic identity and global reputation. In many respects, Adelaide University will help define how Adelaideans see themselves and importantly, how the world sees our city.

There is also a strong commitment to opening up the university and its grounds as “public arenas” and ensuring that world-class research is matched by a strong student experience. Technical expertise alone will not be enough to prepare future leaders for an economy and society undergoing rapid technological, geopolitical and social change. Developing adaptable, creative and community-minded graduates will be just as important as research rankings or commercial outcomes.

None of this will happen overnight. Establishing an institution of this scale is inevitably complex, and some early teething issues are to be expected during the first months of operation. But the broader trajectory, long-term vision and the passion and commitment by Professor Phillips and her predecessors and colleagues is seriously impressive.

What is emerging is a university with the potential to become deeply embedded in the future success of South Australia, economically, socially and culturally.

The real opportunity here is not simply building a bigger university. It is for academics, researchers, industry, government, students and the community to work together to create an institution, a city and a state that is truly innovative, more equitable, more globally connected and more confident about its future.

Sam Dighton
Chief Executive
Committee for Adelaide