Team profile: UWS Gateway

Gateway has been designed to make it easier for government, industry, community and other groups to access the University. It provides a clear access point for external organisations wishing to connect with UWS in relation to partnerships, research, student recruitment, guest lecturing, facilities, events, awards and sponsorships, and other areas.

The Gateway also makes it easier for staff to find out about relevant engagement and collaboration opportunities, and to manage external enquiries. Any external enquiry that does not fit within your area can be forwarded to gateway@uws.edu.au and the UWS Gateway team will redirect it to the appropriate area.

Who works in the Gateway team?

• Suzie Wright, UWS Gateway Manager
• Keren Lavery, Engagement Facilitator, UWS Gateway
• Samantha Ewart, Administration Officer, UWS Gateway

What does the Gateway team do?

In 2014, the Gateway team processed more than 220 enquiries and built the infrastructure and tools needed to track them. The website (opens in a new window) with forms and links to key partnerships and projects is now up and running and we are planning our external communications and marketing strategy for 2015.  

The Gateway can connect external organisations with:

• Graduates and interns
• State-of-the-art office space
• Small business advice
• Guest lecturing opportunities
• Experts to speak at events
• UWS research and consulting services
• Training and education
• Venue hire (including sporting)
• Access to scientific equipment and facilities
• Alumni, scholarships and prizes
• The Centre for Greater Western Sydney
• Projects and partnerships with UWS.

The two key tools that the Gateway team uses to manage enquiries are:

• The new Microsoft Dynamics CRM, which captures, tracks, reports and facilitates the review and referral of enquiries
• UWS Gateway website, where organisations can go to get initial information about UWS (and linked to other areas of the UWS) and make contact with UWS Gateway.

The Gateway website (opens in a new window) is live and it is expected that most enquiries will come via this channel in the future. However, organisations can also make contact with us via the Gateway email address gateway@uws.edu.au and phone us on 9683 8161.

As the Gateway processes and systems are finalised, the Gateway team will be focusing on addressing enquiries from the various organisations that contact the University. These range from organisations wanting to recruit interns and graduates, to organisations wanting to partner and establish projects with us.

Where is the Gateway team located?

The team provides a virtual service; however, the office is based at the Female Orphan School in Parramatta and building AD at Werrington North.

Who does the Gateway team work with?

Gateway works closely with a wide range of UWS staff, depending on the enquiry. However, most enquiries will be referred via Directors of Engagement within the Schools, along with key business units.

We are working with many external organisations, including businesses, all levels of government, not-for-profit/community organisations, the education sector and individuals interested in working with the University of Western Sydney.

What would be a good example of the work that you are involved in?

Each enquiry to the Gateway is unique and requires a different response. Sometimes, it is a case of working out what the enquirer actually wants or needs before the enquiry can be referred to other areas of the University.

At times it will also be appropriate for the Gateway team to coordinate a project or facilitate a meeting between cross-disciplinary areas.

Gateway commenced early operations in May 2014, was online in October 2014 and has since facilitated a wide range of both local and international external engagements including collaborations with Woolworths, National Australia Bank (NAB), The State Records Office, Western Sydney Community Forum (WSCF), the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), the Consul General of South Korea and the Australia China Education Exchange (ACEE).

Some excellent examples of what the Gateway is working on include:

• Connecting the Department of Transport (who wanted to recruit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students for a research project), with the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment and Engagement, and UWS Careers.
• Working with Woolworths to recruit UWS students into the organisation's internship program across HR, marketing, commerce, public affairs, and supply chain.
• Connecting UWS Small Biz Connect with a not-for-profit organisation needing business advice.
• Meeting with NAB to set up a UWS working group to respond to their interest in the UWS Fast Forward Project in 2015.
• Working with  Bankstown City Council's Committee system to connect with manufacturers in the region and the NSW Business Chamber for opportunities in Shanghai.

What challenges does the team face?

The Gateway is both external and internally focused and has been set up to capture the many opportunities that are presented to UWS, and either facilitate or refer them on to the appropriate areas. 

The two major challenges that Gateway may face include:

• The sheer volume of enquiries and locating the appropriate expertise within UWS in a timely and appropriate way.
• Managing the appropriate "swim lanes" within UWS as we navigate a restructure of the organisation.

What is the team focusing on in the next 12 months?

The main focuses for the next 12 months will be to:

• Increase the profile of the UWS Gateway to Greater Western Sydney stakeholders and let them know how easy it is to connect with and do business with UWS
• Fine-tune and map systems and processes to manage enquiries and then reflect those back into the CRM infrastructure
• Continue to consult with other areas of UWS to understand how the Gateway can deliver excellent service to all areas of the University.