- Posted on 7 Aug 2026
- 3 -minute read
New UTS Institute for Education prepares future teachers and education leaders.
Key takeaways
- Prioritising programs and expertise to prepare graduates with an emphasis on equity and inclusion.
- UTS works with more than 200 partner schools across metropolitan, regional and rural NSW.
- The Institute will partner with schools, government, community organisations and industry to undertake research, evaluation and innovation.
The University of Technology Sydney has launched the UTS Institute for Education, strengthening its contribution to teacher education, learning design and educational leadership.
Dean of the Faculty of Design and Society Professor James Bennett said the Institute represented an investment by UTS in the future of teaching and learning in Australia.
“Nested within a world-leading faculty for creativity and innovation, the Institute offers students and education partners a learning environment unlike any other and will play a crucial role in strengthening the talent pipeline of passionate, future-ready educators in NSW and beyond.”
The Institute brings together UTS's education programs and expertise to prepare graduates who are ready to teach, lead and adapt in today's learning environments, with an emphasis on equity and inclusion.
UTS’s new Institute for Education will help deliver the confident, evidence informed, capable teachers who can make a difference in NSW public schools.
Head of the Institute Dr Kirsty Young said the Institute reflected UTS's commitment to preparing skilled graduates who can respond to the opportunities and challenges facing contemporary society.
“Education has a profound impact on individuals and communities – our future is shaped by the teachers standing at the front of classrooms and guiding our next generations.”
“The Institute for Education is focused on preparing educators to make a meaningful impact, from the very beginning of their careers though to senior leadership roles,” she said.
Secretary of the NSW Department of Education Murat Dizdar PSM welcomed the establishment of the Institute. “Education changes lives. Great teachers make it happen,” he said.
“UTS’s new Institute for Education will help deliver the confident, evidence informed, capable teachers who can make a difference in NSW public schools – ready from day one.”
Partnering for impact
Drawing on the university’s long-standing strengths in hands-on learning and industry engagement, students in the Institute will develop confidence and readiness through immersive professional experience placements, active engagement with schools and authentic learning opportunities that connect theory with practice.
UTS is ranked 71st globally for Education Studies in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 and works with more than 200 partner schools across metropolitan, regional and rural New South Wales.
Dr Young said these partnerships are central to preparing graduates who can meet current and emerging educational needs.
“Our students benefit from learning alongside experienced educators and gain valuable classroom experience throughout their studies,” she said.
“By working closely with schools and education systems, we ensure our graduates are developing the professional capabilities and adaptability needed to succeed in diverse learning environments.”
Programs and expertise
From 2027, the Institute will offer programs in Primary Education, Secondary Education, TESOL and Applied Linguistics, Learning Design and Technology, and Education Learning and Leadership, supporting learners from initial teacher preparation through to advanced professional learning and leadership development.
The Institute will leverage UTS's strengths in digital technologies and learning innovation, helping educators respond to increasingly technology-rich learning environments.
A distinctive feature of the Institute is its commitment to Indigenous education through the ‘Country as Teacher' philosophy, led by Professor Benny Wilson. The approach recognises the importance of Indigenous knowledges in Australian education and helps equip educators to develop culturally responsive teaching practices and stronger connections to place and community.
Alongside teacher preparation, the Institute will partner with schools, government, community organisations and industry to undertake research, evaluation and innovation that addresses real-world educational challenges and improves learning outcomes.
“We're committed to supporting teachers and leaders who want to make an impact through education, and to helping build the skilled, confident and capable teaching workforce our country needs,” said Professor Bennett.
“We look forward to showcasing the Institute at the university's upcoming Open Day on 29 August.”