NEWS
Our strategic plan to 2020
In March, #shapeRMIT was created to invite the entire RMIT community into an open conversation about the University’s future – and thousands rose to the challenge.
Through workshops, online discussions, forums and presentations, staff members, students, alumni and partners contributed their feedback and ideas to #shapeRMIT.
The result, Ready for Life and Work, RMIT’s strategic plan to 2020, sets out what makes us different as a university, and outlines a simple but powerful vision for a global university of technology, design and enterprise.
The strategy centres on three broad directions, offering life-changing experiences for students, uniting passion and purpose in academic and professional staff, and shaping the world around us through research and teaching.
Not surprisingly, at its core, the plan is focused on graduating students ready for life and work.
The premise behind #shapeRMIT has been simple: contribute feedback on any aspect of RMIT and your idea, big or small, could shape the University’s strategic plan to 2020.
More than 1000 people registered for the online discussions at shapermit.com. Feedback on everything from IT systems to student facilities and staff performance were plucked from these online forums and presented to the most senior decision-makers at RMIT, the University’s Council.
From the onset, there was a clear call from the RMIT community to simplify processes and systems to deliver clear and timely information. There was also emphasis placed on enhancing employment opportunities for graduates and creating a strong digital focus for staff and students in the future.
Aside from interacting online, there were events to engage students such as the Founders’ Celebrations in July, which included a #shapeRMIT forum chaired by RMITV alumnus and media commentator Waleed Aly. Celebrity power saw the project’s hashtag trend nationally on social media.
The week of celebrations also saw the birth of the #shapeRMIT hoodie. Hundreds of staff and students grabbed the new accessory, with many being worn around campus.
In late August, a Directions Paper outlining proposed strategic directions and goals was released, promoted by giant posters on buildings around campus. A month of public consultation followed and this feedback informed the final draft endorsed by Council late last month.
This month, there will be a series of launch activities to promote the University’s strategic goals to 2020 and celebrate the voices that have shaped them. Join us!
Engagement with #shapeRMIT:
- Total website page views: 82,974
- Individual sessions (unique and returning): 22,782
- Unique users: 13,527
- People registered for online discussions: 1009
- 5 for 5 comments: 933