Highlights

Newcastle is named a top ten city in the Lonely Plant ‘Best in Travel 2011’ guide. The University is the first in Australia to partner with Lonely Planet to release a travel guide for prospective students.

A record $14 million is granted by the Australian Research Council for 38 projects across health, science, engineering and education.

More than $10 million in National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) funding is earmarked for a record 20 projects.

Laureate Professor Scott Sloan is selected to lead the $14.4 million Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Geotechnical Science and Engineering.

Seven researchers receive coveted Australian Research Council fellowships and eight NHMRC fellowships are awarded.

Dr Philip Matthias, Associate Professor John Anderson and Associate Professor Tracy Levett-Jones win prestigious Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) Awards for Teaching Excellence.

Associate Professor Peter O'Mara wins a 'Deadly Award' for achievement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

The Port Macquarie campus hosts its first formal graduation ceremony.

The University of Newcastle Chamber Choir, directed by ALTC Award winner Dr Philip Matthias, takes gold in two categories at the World Choir Games.

Eighty per cent of University staff report strong job satisfaction in the 2010 staff survey.

Through the University's philanthropic arm, UON Foundation, the community generously gives more than $4 million in 2010 – double the amount from previous years.

Donations and bequests to the University over the past decade reach more than $30 million.

Work gets underway on an $85 million program of works to support students, including new on-campus accommodation, upgrades to existing accommodation and additional parking.

Construction is on track for the new $90 million Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) building. Scheduled for completion in 2012, the state of the art facility will be home to 450 researchers.

The $20 million Ourimbah campus development continues with ground broken on a major upgrade to the library.