UTS BUILD

✍️To our BUILD community

We would like to share an important update about the future of the BUILD Program.

Following the recent review, the University has decided that BUILD will conclude at the end of 2026.

For almost two decades, BUILD has been shaped by students who have stepped beyond their comfort zones, engaged with complex challenges, contributed to their communities and connected with people from different backgrounds and perspectives.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of that journey, including the many students and alumni who shared their experiences and feedback during the review process. Your reflections highlighted the friendships, confidence, sense of purpose and commitment to community that BUILD has helped foster over the years.

While the program itself is coming to an end, its impact continues through the lives, careers and communities of the people who have been part of it.

Thank you for helping create that legacy.

Although BUILD is entering its final chapter, there is still more of the story to tell. Over the coming months, we'll be sharing student stories, community impact, memories and milestones as we celebrate the achievements of the BUILD community and work towards our final Completion Celebration later this year.

We hope you'll continue to follow along as we reflect on the people, experiences and impact that have made BUILD what it is. ❤️

📍If you are a current BUILD member, Spring Session 2026 will be your final opportunity to complete the program for recognition to your AHEGS. Keep an eye on our bulletins for upcoming activities and reach out anytime for advice at [email protected].

What if learning didn’t happen in a classroom — but on Country?

Join us at Barangaroo Reserve for an Aboriginal Cultural Tour led by Aboriginal educators, where Sydney’s harbour becomes a living classroom. You’ll walk through a six‑hectare headland of 75,000 native plants, hear stories of Warrane (Sydney Harbour), and learn how land, water and culture are deeply connected — past and present.

Visitors consistently describe the experience as peaceful, grounding and deeply meaningful, praising the guides’ knowledge and the way stories bring the landscape to life.

One reviewer shared: “We learnt so much about Barangaroo herself, the area and Aboriginal culture — all brought to life with passion and care.”

If you’re curious about Indigenous knowledge, sustainability, and seeing Sydney through a new lens, this fieldtrip is for you.

🌿 Walk on Country
Listen deeply
Learn differently

🎯Barangaroo Aboriginal Cultural Tour
📆 Thu 7 May
⏰ 10:15am - 12:30pm
📍On country
🔗 Link to register https://linktr.ee/utsbuild

You don’t need to delete your personality to be “professional.”

You just have to be intentional about how you show up.

If your future career is on your mind but your online presence feels confusing — this one’s for you. ✨

In our Professional Brand for Impact workshop, UTS students learn how to show up online on purpose — without pretending to be someone they’re not.

As BUILDer Yongqi shared:

“This was an eye‑opener. I didn’t need to erase my personal online presence — just curate the version of myself I want the professional world to see.”

In just 2 hours, you’ll learn how to:

✨ build a professional online presence
✨ separate private from professional (without losing yourself)
✨ use tools like LinkedIn & SEO to be visible to employers
✨ communicate your strengths with confidence

If you’re thinking about your future career but feel unsure how to ‘look professional’ without feeling fake — this workshop is for you.

🎯Professional Brand for Impact
📆 Fri 1 May
⏰ 1.00-3.00pm
📍On campus
🔗 Link to register - https://linktr.ee/utsbuild

“Through BUILD, I’ve come to understand what it means to be a global citizen—learning how to communicate across cultures and make a positive impact in my world, while gaining access to new perspectives.” - Tylah, UTS BUILDer

This is what learning beyond the classroom can look like.

If you’re keen to grow your leadership, global awareness, and purpose, discover more BUILD experiences via https://linktr.ee/utsbuild.

♻️✨Collective action in action!

Huge thanks to Lottie and the team at Banish Sustainability Hub for hosting our BUILD students once again and showing just how powerful community‑led sustainability can be.

From learning about recycling and the circular economy to seeing bottle caps transformed into custom-made pens ✏️🌈, this hands‑on experience brought sustainability to life in the best way.
 
“This visit gave me valuable insights into running a sustainable business — something that really resonates as I think about ethical practices in my career. Seeing how Banish combines innovation with purpose, and hearing Lottie share honestly about challenges along the way, was incredibly inspiring.

It showed me that business success and environmental responsibility don’t have to be separate — with passion and determination, you can do both and make a positive difference.”

— Domenic KS, BUILDer
 
🌍💚 PurposeDriven

♻️✨ Collective action in action!

Huge thanks to Lottie and the team at Banish Sustainability Hub for hosting our BUILD students once again and showing just how powerful community‑led sustainability can be.

From learning about recycling and the circular economy to seeing bottle caps transformed into custom-made pens ✏️🌈, this hands‑on experience brought sustainability to life in the best way.
 
“This visit gave me valuable insights into running a sustainable business — something that really resonates as I think about ethical practices in my career. Seeing how Banish combines innovation with purpose, and hearing Lottie share honestly about challenges along the way, was incredibly inspiring.

It showed me that business success and environmental responsibility don’t have to be separate — with passion and determination, you can do both and make a positive difference.”
— Domenic KS, BUILDer
 
🌍💚

Thinking about volunteering overseas?
 
What if good intentions aren’t always enough?
 
What if helping…actually creates harm?
 
One volunteer thought she was changing lives. What she learned changed hers.
 
Be inspired by the story of Sally Hetherington OAM, Human and Hope Cambodia founder, and critically examine voluntourism, unpack unintended impacts, and learn to make ethical choices that support sustainable development and empower communities.
 
Challenge your assumptions and explore better ways to help.
 
📌Volunteering vs Voluntourism? Ethical approaches to International Development with Helene Do, Chair, Board of Human and Hope
📆 Mon 30 March
⌚12-1.30pm
👉Register via Link in Bio
 
Join today to be part of the solution
 
*BUILD members earn 10 elective points attending this speaker session.