• Charles Sturt has launched the Gulbali Institute of Agriculture, Water and Environment
• The Institute will assist with the University’s goal of growing research by 2030, focusing on climate change, bushfire, biosecurity, water management and more
• The Institute’s name comes from the Wiradjuri phrase ‘Gulbali ngurambang’, which translates as ‘to understand country’

Charles Sturt University has launched the Gulbali Institute of Agriculture, Water and Environment (Gulbali Institute) highlighting a commitment to working with First Nations people in research and education, and driving benefits across Australia and globally.

The Institute will generate world-class research to optimise agricultural systems and production, improve the health of freshwater ecosystems and enhance biodiversity conservation.

Charles Sturt Vice-Chancellor Professor Renée Leon said the Gulbali Institute will help the University achieve the research goals it has set as part of the University Strategy 2030.

“The launch of the Gulbali Institute is an important milestone building on our strengths in applied research in agriculture, water and environment,” Professor Leon said.

“Impactful research is one of the cornerstones of the University’s standing as Australia’s leading regional university and we’re focused on delivering outcomes that will foster prosperous regional communities.”

Agriculture, water and environment, in addition to the fields of regional health, and cyber security and data science, has been targeted for strategic investment by the University.

The Institute’s name is derived from the Wiradjuri phrase ‘Gulbali ngurambang’, which translates as ‘to understand country’, reflecting the University’s intent for impactful research to build knowledge and understanding in agriculture, water and environment.

Charles Sturt University Vice-Chancellor's Chair of Australian-Indigenous Belonging Professor Stan Grant Jnr said the University and First Nations groups and individuals had worked together in naming the Institute.

“In accepting the name ‘Gulbali’ for this Institute, the University is showing its commitment to increasing First Nations access and participation in education and research,” Professor Grant Jnr said.

“It respectfully acknowledges the importance First Nations people place on the understanding of Country and this will be embedded in future research projects and practices.”

Charles Sturt Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Mark Evans said the Institute will build on existing partnerships and complement other major initiatives at Charles Sturt in the Riverina.

“The launch of the Gulbali Institute is a call to action for champions of regional Australia – researchers, students, and collaborators – to co-design research to solve core challenges in areas such as climate change resilience, bushfires, farm productivity, biosecurity, the wine sector and environmental and water management,” Professor Evans said.

Federal Member for Riverina Mr Michael McCormack said the establishment of the Gulbali Institute demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to work with Charles Sturt University to improve outcomes for farmers and the environment.

“Our farmers are the best environmentalists in the world, but we can always look to improve productivity and environmental management through emerging technology and research, combined with traditional knowledge, which is why the Gulbali Institute has been established,” Mr McCormack said.

“Charles Sturt University has already done a power of work in this space and this new institute for agriculture, water and environmental research will only enhance these efforts.”

The launch in Wagga Wagga showcased the University’s impactful AWE research to industry leaders, partners and our community, with a call to action for collaborators to co-design the vision and research focus for the Institute.

Other Charles Sturt-led AWE partnerships and projects include:

• The AgriSciences Research and Business Park (AgriPark) in Wagga Wagga
• The Global Digital Farm in Wagga Wagga, which is the country’s first ‘hands-free’ farm
• The $8 million Southern NSW Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, opened at the AgriPark in April 2021
• The $3.6 million Next Generation Water Engineering Hub