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UOW Open Day draws 5,000 prospective students to campus amid governance scrutiny

The university welcomes record interest in degree programs while ICAC inquiry continues into contract management practices.

By The Daily Wollongong · Published 4 July 2026 at 5:08 am ·

1 min read

UOW Open Day draws 5,000 prospective students to campus amid governance scrutiny
Photo: Australian National Maritime Museum on The Commons / No restrictions

More than 5,000 people are expected to explore their future at the University of Wollongong's open day, as the institution welcomes prospective students and families to discover degree programs, scholarships and student life, according to UOW's official announcement. The event marks a significant draw for the Illawarra's largest tertiary education institution.

The strong enrolment interest comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the university's hiring practices. According to ICAC hearings, the institution's recruitment decisions in at least one department lacked proper oversight and may have been 'flawed' despite altruistic motives, with an emotional witness revealing the psychological toll the inquiry has taken on staff.

For Wollongong families and school leavers considering tertiary education in the region, the open day represents an opportunity to explore programs directly while the institution navigates governance challenges. UOW remains the region's primary pathway for higher education and a significant employer in the Illawarra economy.

Sources: uow.edu.au, illawarramercury.com.au, illawarramercury.com.au.

This article was compiled by AI and screened before publishing. See our editorial standards.

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Published by The Daily Wollongong

This article was produced by the The Daily Wollongong editorial desk and covers community in Wollongong. See our editorial standards for how we use AI.

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