Mission possible

by Michèle Nardelli

Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Høj Type the words mission statement into Google search and you might be surprised by what you’ll learn.

The Suzuki Talent Education Association of Australia is committed to providing "exceptional quality in musical education"; Oxfam wants to ensure a fair world where people control their own lives and where "their basic rights are achieved and the environment is sustained"; and the Australian American Fulbright Commission exists to "further mutual understanding between the people of Australia and the United States through educational and cultural exchange".

There are hundreds more synopses – all offering a snapshot of the style and ambition of organisations and individuals alike.

This quick Google search highlights something invaluable about statements of vision, mission and values – something even the most cynical can’t deny – they clearly reflect organisational ambitions.

Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Høj (pictured) believes the role of these statements should not be underestimated.

"It is important for any organisation to be self-reflective and to take a look at its environment," Prof Høj said.

"At UniSA we had not revisited our own stated directions for more than 10 years – a lot has changed in that time.

"While there will always be some people who view it as an exercise of peripheral interest – the response from staff across the University has shown there was a much bigger appetite for refreshing our vision and mission than we initially thought.

"We’ve had lots of input, some very robust discussion and I think it has excited new energy about our direction and the future."

The new UniSA Vision, Mission and Values statement was approved by the University Council at the end of April. As with all positive evolution, the statement retains elements of enduring institutional values but also encompasses and articulates some new directions.

"UniSA was the first university in Australia to develop and set down a list of important qualities its graduates should possess when they leave the University to start their working lives, but we really did not have a bright mirror of those qualities in our institutional commitments," Prof Høj said.

"This closes the loop for us and gives new and existing staff a clearer picture of what underpins our operations and our goals. It is also a powerful external communications tool, speaking to all the important questions about UniSA – why we are here, what our role is and what difference we seek to make in society.

"I like to think of the new statement as a kind of credo or a least something that lights our path for the future."

UniSA’s Vision, Mission and Values statement

Vision

UniSA will be a leading contributor to Australia having the best higher education system in the world, supporting the world’s best educated and most innovative, cohesive and sustainable society.

Mission

UniSA educates professionals and citizens to the highest standards; creates and disseminates knowledge; and engages with our communities to address the major issues of our time.

Values

Scholarship	UniSA promotes and sustains open intellectual enquiry characterised by high standards of ethics and integrity. Academic rigour, excellence and relevance underpin our actions in research and its application, in teaching and learning and in engagement with our communities.
Engagement	UniSA’s teaching and research connects strongly with the issues of our local, national and international stakeholders—students, alumni, staff, partners, professions, government, industry, academic peers and community groups.
Social justice	UniSA gives effect to reconciliation with Indigenous Australians and builds social cohesion by achieving equitable educational access and outcomes across our diverse student community, through research that aims to improve the quality of life and by acting responsibly as a corporate citizen.
Sustainability	UniSA contributes to environmentally, economically, socially and culturally sustainable development, and we aim to reduce our own environmental impact.
Innovation	UniSA anticipates change and acts quickly to seize opportunities and solve problems.
Openness	UniSA is outward looking, welcoming diversity and the wide range of perspectives it brings, international in outlook, collaborative, creative, agile and enterprising.