Bill Shorten's Vision: Empathy Over Elitism

Leading the charge is Professor The Hon. Bill Shorten, UC's Vice-Chancellor since early 2025. A former federal Labor leader and long-time advocate for social equity, Shorten has infused the rebrand with a communitarian ethos. He articulates a shift from 'prestige over people' to the opposite, urging the sector to 'stop worshipping sandstone – it's just rock'. This rhetoric challenges the sandstone universities' aura of exclusivity, promoting UC as a place where 'doors to education should be open to all, especially those with a heart to study'.

Shorten's comments at the UC Aitkin Lecture on March 12, 2026, underscored the need for flexibility. He highlighted how universities often treat students as 'blank slates', ignoring prior experiences. The rebrand counters this by championing Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), where vocational qualifications and life experience can accelerate degree completion. For instance, holders of diplomas from the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) in fields like nursing, IT, accounting, and graphic design can shave up to one year off a three-year bachelor's degree, significantly reducing costs and time.

Targeting Non-Traditional Students: Who is 'U Can' For?

The campaign zeroes in on the 80% of Australians who don't see university as their path post-school. This includes tradies seeking upskilling, single parents balancing family, migrants adapting to new careers, regional residents, and mature-age learners from 30 to 70+. UC already boasts 40% first-in-family students, a figure it aims to grow by fostering a sense of belonging and authenticity.

• Tradies and vocational workers: RPL credits hands-on experience toward degrees in high-demand areas like STEM and healthcare.
• Single mums and family carers: Flexible study options accommodate life commitments.
• Migrants and regional Aussies: Tailored support for cultural and geographic barriers.
• Mature professionals: Career changers benefit from accelerated paths, appealing to employers valuing 'old heads on young shoulders'.

Market research conducted in 2025 informed this focus, revealing desires for support, flexibility, and feeling 'seen'. Initial testing of the campaign showed 70% of respondents motivated to consider UC.

Campaign Mechanics: $2.7 Million Push for Visibility

Backed by a $2.7 million rollout within existing budgets – notably low per the Australia Institute's 2025 report – the campaign spans TV, social media, digital screens, billboards, bus wraps, and street signage. Creative agency Born crafted six real-life case studies of UC alumni, showcasing grit and transformation. One features Dion DeVow, a First Nations alumnus, emphasizing representation and community payback.

Slogans like 'Prove tradition isn’t the only way' and 'Expect empathy over elitism' cut through the noise, expanding reach to Sydney while rooted in Canberra. This multi-channel assault aims to rebuild the sector's 'social license' eroded by funding cuts – public contribution dropped from 90% in 1990 to under 50% today.

Key Initiatives: RPL, Partnerships, and AI Integration

RPL is pivotal: UC's process allows crediting prior work, potentially turning three-year degrees into two, slashing HECS-HELP debt. Since October 2025, a CIT partnership offers seven guaranteed pathways with direct entry and credit.Learn more about UC's RPL. ACT Skills Minister Michael Pettersson hailed it as 'nation-leading'; CIT CEO Dr. Margot McNeill praised accessible routes.

All courses now embed AI literacy, preparing graduates for employer demands while safeguarding assessments against misuse. Shorten proposes a Sovereign Wealth Education Fund – a 1% levy on big business profits, akin to Norway's model – to generate $5.2 billion annually for skills priorities, easing individual debt.Details on the funding proposal.

Expert Praise and Sector Reactions

Jarrod Kanizay's endorsement resonates in recruitment circles: 'This rebrand of University of Canberra is a masterstroke!' It aligns with industry calls for work-ready graduates amid AI disruption and STEM declines. While some worry shorter degrees dilute quality, Shorten insists on rigorous, competency-based outcomes.

UC's Centre of Public Ideas (COPI), launched March 2026, fosters policy debate, positioning the university as a thought leader. Early signs point to enrollment boosts, vital as Australia eyes 80% tertiary/VET attainment by 2050.

Broader Implications for Australian Higher Education

Australia's higher education faces headwinds: international fee reliance, enrollment stagnation, and VET-university silos. UC's model harmonizes these, potentially scalable nationally. By serving 'everyday Australians', it rebuilds trust, produces practical graduates, and addresses skills gaps in healthcare, tech, and trades.

Comparisons to global peers like Georgia State University, successful with disadvantaged students, suggest promise. UC plans Sydney expansion and specialist hubs, signaling ambition.Vocational pathways insights.

Photo by Alexander Serzhantov on Unsplash

Future Outlook: A Blueprint for Change?

If successful, 'U Can' could catalyze sector-wide shifts toward inclusivity and efficiency. Challenges remain – funding reforms, quality assurances – but UC's data-driven, empathetic approach offers actionable insights. For stakeholders, it underscores adapting to diverse needs in a post-pandemic, AI-driven world.

Prospective students: Explore RPL to fast-track your future. Educators: Embrace flexibility for broader impact. Policymakers: Consider Shorten's fund for sustainable growth. UC's rebrand isn't just marketing; it's a manifesto for higher education's next chapter.