ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp

March 5, 2025

UOW celebrates 50 years of impact

Year-long 50th Anniversary activities announced

This year the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp of ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp (UOW) is celebrating 50 years as an independent institution.

As thousands of students return to the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp campus for the start of the 2025 Autumn session, they are being greeted by 50th Anniversary flags, signage and merchandise featuring imagery celebrating UOW’s evolution over half a century.

To mark the milestone, a calendar of events has been announced celebrating the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp’s achievements, highlighting the people and the community who have made UOW successful across the past five decades.

UOW has a rich history in delivering high-quality education and research. The planned celebrations aim to highlight the impact, inspiration and innovation of the people of UOW past and present.

The 50th Anniversary program, launched today (Wednesday 5 March), invites staff, students, alumni and the community to join in the anniversary celebrations throughout the year. UOW will host events, talks, seminars and reunions and share inspirational stories to honour the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp's legacy and inspire excitement about its future. 

Launching in March, 50 Voices shares the stories of the people who make UOW – from the labs to the library to the lawns. The multimedia project will share the stories of staff, students, alumni, volunteers, and community members about how UOW has shaped their lives, and how they in turn have helped shape UOW.

From July to December the UOW Gallery will present 50 Artist: 50 Years, showcasing works by 50 nationally, and internationally recognised artists affiliated with UOW, including alumni and staff. The exhibition highlights the diversity and significance of the UOW Art Collection, with many works rarely seen before.

The 50^th Anniversary Gala on 12 September will be an opportunity to honour and celebrate UOW’s impact in teaching, education, research and innovation over the past five decades and acknowledge the achievements of UOW graduates.

On 25 October the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp campus will host a Celebrity Cricket Match to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease research, featuring UOW ambassador Adam Gilchrist alongside local sports stars and personalities.  

Interim Vice-Chancellor and President Senior Professor Eileen McLaughlin said the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp has plenty to be proud of and the 50th Anniversary will be an exciting chapter in UOW’s history. 

“Fifty years is a milestone to be immensely proud of. UOW plays an integral role in the Illawarra, across the nation and globally. The ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp has made an indelible mark by embracing excellence and innovation,” Senior Professor McLaughlin said.

“Our community of students, staff, alumni and honoraries are our life blood and this milestone is a vital time to stop and appreciate the hard work and dedication of the people and valued partnerships that have made the institution what it is today, a global leader.

“Our 50th Anniversary activities offer the perfect opportunity to reflect on the many achievements over the years and the many success stories of our students, alumni and staff.”

Founded to provide tertiary education to support the region’s steel industry, in 1975 legislation passed to establish UOW as an independent institution. The ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp has since developed into an internationally recognised teaching and research institution ranked among the top one per cent of universities in the world.

From UOW’s first campus on the lands of Five Islands Dreaming, nestled at the foot of Mt Djeera (Keira), UOW has expanded to nine Australian and five international campuses.

For more information about the 50th Anniversary and the calendar of events please visit UOW’s website /50-years/.