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Creating Australia’s first major university in three decades is no mean feat. 

The number of moving parts is quite daunting. But the challenge is well underway, and a significant milestone was reached mid-year when the new Adelaide University was officially launched. 

On that day some 3,000 academic and professional staff from the two founding institutions gathered for the unveiling of our new identity, and separate events and communications were delivered to all key members of our community, including alumni and students. 

has established a strong identity, captured through a new brand story and creative expression. A selection of in-demand coursework degrees is now in market and applications have opened for international students to commence from 2026, providing the essential lead time needed to consider their study options which typically start 18 months before enrolment. Applications for Australian students will open mid next year. 

Chancellors from each of the three universities (���˴�Ƭ, University of South Australia and Adelaide University), along with representatives of the three University Councils and our two co-Vice Chancellors were part of the launch event. 

���˴�Ƭ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Høj AC described it as “a truly momentous occasion”. 

“I’m so pleased that we can come together to mark this significant milestone in our shared histories and personal journeys. This is a time to celebrate how far we have come, to create new connections, and to continue to build our Adelaide University community.” 

Adelaide University Chancellor Ms Pauline Carr said: “For much of the past year, we’ve talked about a vision. A vision of a university shaped by the challenges and opportunities for today. A university purpose-built to shape a better tomorrow. 

“It is a vision that draws equally on the values of excellence and equity. Today, we move from a point of vision to a place of reality. Looking ahead, we still have a lot of work to do before our first Adelaide University students commence and we open the doors to our research partners and collaborators. 

“A key aim of Adelaide University is to ensure teaching and research are respected equally and align to the needs of our community. We look forward to working with partners in industry, government, higher education, and other areas, to realise that aim and deliver outcomes that make life better. 

“We also celebrate the proud legacies of the University of South Australia and the ���˴�Ƭ. I have great confidence in how the new Adelaide University will grow from these foundations, well into the future.” 

Part of the creation of our new University was ensuring it will be both contemporary and comprehensive, acknowledging the strong legacies of the past, and building on them. 

More than 6,000 staff, students, industry, alumni and community partners have been a part of that discussion and had a vital role to play in defining a new identity and brand. 

University of South Australia Vice Chancellor and President Professor David Lloyd explains the development of the elements of that new identity, and our new logo: “The Adelaide University logo is based on a monogram of our initials, tilted forward to convey momentum and future focus with an angle that echoes the Adelaide Festival Centre – the beating cultural heart of our home city. 

“The monogram balances stability with agility. Its curvature and shape echo the shields of our founding institutions and embodies the broader State of South Australia with harmony and openness. 

“The colours within our brand expression also hold meaning. Dark blue honours our shared heritage and inspires trust. Our accent colour, North Terrace purple, represents optimism, wisdom and independence. Bright blue is future facing – digital first and vivid. South East limestone is grounding, with a nod to the limestone quarried in regional South Australia and our buildings along North Terrace, while adding warmth, humanity and balance. 

“Much like the State of South Australia with its rich history of firsts, Adelaide University will become a place that propels many significant firsts – for our students, researchers, alumni, partners and the communities we serve.”

Written by Mark Douglas, Editor of Lumen.