The universities yesterday published a “vision statement for a South Australian university for the future” outlining the “ambitions and aspirations for a potential new university” if the proposed merger goes ahead.

According to the six-page document, the proposed amalgamated university – to be called Adelaide University – would have three “strategic pillars”: teaching and learning, research, and engagement.

It would aim to deliver the best “student employment outcomes” in Australia and be ranked among the top five universities in the country for “student experience”.

The document states Adelaide University would also be ranked in the top one per cent of universities globally and would work to be recognised among the world’s top 100 universities on an “ongoing and sustainable basis”.

“We would develop a particular focus on programs which respond to South Australia’s and the nation’s skills shortages, and which are connected to industries central to our economic growth,” the document states.

“We want our online curriculum to be the highest quality in Australia – and we would aim to deliver inclusive online education to more students than any other Australian university.

“Importantly, the university would – in its own right – become an economic powerhouse for the state.

“On day one, the university would be the largest services exporter in South Australia and among the largest exporters overall.”

Students, staff and graduates of the universities of Adelaide and South Australia have been asked to provide feedback on the vision statement, with the consultation to end on April 21.

The vice-chancellors of both universities sent emails to stakeholders yesterday saying the feedback from the consultation would be used to develop a business case for the proposed merger.

“As a member of the UniSA community, we particularly value your perspective on the opportunities, risks and considerations that we should think about when developing the business case,” University of South Australia Vice-Chancellor David Lloyd wrote.

The University of Adelaide’s Vice-Chancellor Peter Høj said in his email: “Our community has a proud history of exploring new frontiers and embracing opportunities that deliver innovation and positive impact.

“We come together during times of challenge, as witnessed in recent years, to collectively identify solutions.”

The universities have until the end of June to submit their business case to their respective councils, which will have the final say on whether the merger should go ahead.

If the councils approve the merger, Adelaide University would be operational from January 1, 2026.

The universities and state and federal governments signed a “statement of cooperation” in December, which committed the institutions to undertake the business case.

If the proposed merger goes ahead, a transition council would be created with up to 14 members plus a chancellor, with each university nominating half the members. UniSA would nominate the chancellor and, in the first instance, the leadership would be shared between two co-Vice-Chancellors.

A successful merger would immediately make the new university the largest educator of Australian students in the country.

The state government has offered an unspecified financial sweetener to the institutions to “maximise the transformational opportunities being pursued”.

A state government spokesperson told InDaily this morning that the universities had committed to work together to consult staff, students, unions and their broader communities during March and April this year.

“The Malinauskas Government took a promise to the state election to chart the process for a possible university amalgamation in South Australia,” the spokesperson said.

“The release of the universities’ joint vision statement, as part of this process, is an exciting step towards the possible realisation of this vision.

“We look forward to a final decision by mid-2023.”