Strategic Alignment

The Creative Encounter Mural Project was designed with the University's and the community's priorities in mind. We believe that the two are not mutually exclusive. 

The University of Canberra’s strategy, Connected - A Decadal Strategy 2023-2032, outlines three enterprise level objectives, namely, Connected to Canberra, Connected for life and Connected UC. This project aligns with the three strategic objectives as outlined below.   

1 – Connected to Canberra: the collaboration with MARSS and CH, who represent an essential component of Canberra’s cultural landscape, fulfils the university’s aspiration to build sustainable communities through deep collaborations that are locally focused and globally relevant. By bringing together Canberra’s vibrant and diverse communities, UC is linked with the social, economic and cultural success of Canberra, and will bring the life experiences of peoples from across the world, to our doorstep.    

2 – Connected for Life: The project will invite current and past students to contribute to the UC mural, creating links to the campus through an opportunity to visit, and make a mark (both literally and figuratively).   

3 – Connected UC: Our collaboration with MARSS through this project will see our potential pool of prospective students broadened and provide an opportunity for our staff and students to learn from MARSS about working with diverse communities.   

The project will offer a deep and impactful partnership with MARSS, CH and the networks with whom they work, as well as broaden access and opportunity for students, staff and alumni to come on campus where they and community can encounter and engage with each other. The project will seek to create a sense of belonging for students, staff and alumni by providing a physical space, and cultural avenue, through which they can contribute to the university’s creative landscape.   

Analysis of the project and its results will advance UC’s understanding of the educational and wellbeing needs of pre-entry, current and near completion of refugee and migrant cohorts. The project design is culturally grounded and culturally responsive and informed by the lived experiences of marginalisation of the project team. Employing an appreciative enquiry approach, the project will seek to take a strengths-based perspective to community engagement, with differentiated activities to meet the needs and interests of different groups.