What keeps water industry leaders up at night?

Join UNSW Chemical Engineering for a breakfast discussion on preparing future graduates to make an impact in the water industry.
About this Event

The water industry is facing increasingly complex challenges, from climate change, pollution and resource pressures to digitalisation and electrification.

These changes are reshaping the knowledge, skills and professional attributes required of engineers. They also raise an important question for universities:

How can UNSW best prepare the Chemical Engineering graduates of 2030 to enter the water industry with confidence, and make a meaningful impact?

This breakfast discussion will bring together water industry professionals, alumni, academics and students to explore what future graduates will need to succeed.

The discussion will focus on:

• The challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the water industry
• The impact of climate change, pollution, digitalisation and electrification
• The technical knowledge and professional capabilities industry will need
• The skills graduates need to transition confidently into the workplace
• How Chemical Engineering education should evolve to meet future industry needs
• How UNSW can prepare graduates to contribute from day one and create meaningful impact

The event will include an industry perspective, a panel discussion and networking over breakfast. Speakers and panellists will include water industry professionals, UNSW Chemical Engineering alumni, academics and students.

Whether you are an industry professional, academic, student, alumnus or representative of a professional organisation, this event will provide an opportunity to share perspectives and contribute to the conversation about the future of Chemical Engineering education and the water industry.

Event details

📅 Wednesday 4 November 2026
🕠 7:30 am – 9:30 am
📍CBD, Poly centre
☕ Breakfast provided

Contact

For all enquiries, please email .

At UNSW Chemical Engineering, we are shaping the next generation of chemical engineers to tackle the defining challenges of the 21st century, from clean water and sustainable resource management to energy transition, food security, resource recovery and advanced pharmaceuticals.

We prepare our students and researchers with the knowledge, skills and mindset to innovate at the intersection of science, technology and society. Driven by purpose and powered by collaboration, UNSW Chemical Engineering is helping build the expertise needed for a more sustainable, resilient and water-secure future.tainable, resilient and water-secure future.

Agenda

🕑: 07:30 AM - 08:00 AM
Networking breakfast
🕑: 08:00 AM - 08:10 AM
Welcome and introduction
🕑: 08:10 AM - 08:30 AM
Water industry perspective: What will we be looking for in graduates in 2030?
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:30 AM
Panel discussion