Western Sydney University was pleased to host the inaugural James Martin Institute Oration at the University's Parramatta City campus on Wednesday, 28 September.
The Oration was delivered by the NSW Premier, The Hon. Dominic Perrottet MP, who gave a headland speech on education.
"Education is the means of turning aspiration into prosperity," the NSW Premier said in his opening remarks. "It's the key that unlocks the door of opportunity."
The Premier presented the Government's new strategy to lift student success and well-being across the state, outlining a new trajectory for education in NSW.
Ahead of the Premier's speech, Western Sydney University Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Barney Glover AO opened the Oration.
The University's Chancellor Professor Peter Shergold AC, who is Chair of the James Martin Institute and The Hon. Sarah Mitchell MLC, NSW Minister for Education and Early Learning, then discussed the role of experts in policymaking.
"Every Minister I've ever met is time poor; the pressure on them is huge," Professor Shergold said. "They need the means to better and more easily access research that can influence their change agenda."
"The James Martin Institute's approach is based upon the most fundamental principle of collaboration," Professor Shergold said. "Collaboration to create a means by which academics can partner with Ministers, Ministerial advisors, and public servants in seeking to find solutions to the manifold challenges that face Australian democratic governance."
The JMI Oration brought together 150 senior policymakers, leaders from government, universities, business, and the community, as well as academic and education experts. Special guests had the opportunity to participate in a Q&A with the Premier and James Martin Institute Chief Executive Libby Hackett.
The James Martin Institute is an independent institute that will transform how public policy is made in NSW and beyond. It has been established through a partnership between Western Sydney University, Sydney University and the University of Technology Sydney, together with the NSW Government, which is providing a generous endowment supplemented by contributions from the three university partners.
