Dean’s Industrial Steering Committee

The Dean's Industrial Steering Committee (DISC) membership is made up of senior executive from various industry and government sectors, and reflects the breadth of the Faculty's ten schools. The DISC was established to provide the Dean with direction and advice to ensure that the Faculty of Engineering at UNSW continues to offer the best undergraduate education in all engineering disciplines, appropriately specialised postgraduate courses, productive and stimulating research opportunities and continuing education programs for engineers in the workforce.

The DISC contributes to the Faculty's strategic planning process by providing insight into the needs of industry and the community.

In addition to ensuring that the Faculty's programs produce graduates with the skills and attributes sought by industry, the DISC is strongly committed to the promotion of engineering to Government and the community by demonstrating what engineers do and how engineering is important for Australia's future.

Mission

Members of the Dean's Industrial Steering Committee are committed to assisting the Faculty of Engineering to achieve its aspiration to be in the leading group of engineering schools in the world; recognised for the highest quality undergraduate programs and for research and professional practice of the highest international standard and to contribute to the economic prosperity of the nation through the skills of its graduates and through research and professional development support to Industry.

The Steering Committee meets three times each year, and members seek to:

  • Raise awareness of the Faculty and its activities amongst alumni, business, Government and the community
  • Review the Faculty's strategic plan and make suggestions for improvement
  • Consider the academic vision and achievements of the Faculty and provide an external view of the relevance of teaching and research agendas
  • Serve as a source of independent advice to the Dean with regard to strategy and external relations
  • Increase our engagement with our wider communities (and vice versa)
  • Build links between the Faculty and its stakeholders
  • Provide support and introductions to support fund raising and research funding activities
  • Advise and inform on external factors that will have an impact on the Faculty and its workings
  • Help raise the profile of the Faculty
  • Assist with Alumni activities and engagements
  • Be available over the phone or email to the Dean for independent advice with regards to a particular issue relating to strategy or engagement

Membership

There are up to fifteen Members of the Steering Committee. Membership is determined by the Dean, with industry representatives for each of the Faculty's ten schools. The Chair is appointed by the Dean from the Committee membership.

The Chair oversees the organisation and affairs of the Committee. The Chair makes recommendations to improve the Committee's usefulness to the Faculty and the University.