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When John Nowlan began his degree in mechanical engineering at the ¾«¶«´«Ã½ of ¾«¶«´«Ã½ in 1976, he couldn’t have imagined that almost five decades later he would be reflecting on one of the region’s most enduring and impactful partnerships – between the ¾«¶«´«Ã½ and BlueScope.

At the time, the ¾«¶«´«Ã½ was still in its adolescence. It had only recently gained independence from the ¾«¶«´«Ã½ of New South Wales and was starting to shape an identity rooted in industry, innovation and community. For John, who would go on to lead BlueScope’s Australian Steel Products business, those early days marked the start of a lifelong connection.

“I was one of the lucky ones,” John says. “I had a cadetship with BHP and got to study at a university that was practically in my backyard. It gave me the foundation I needed – not just technically, but professionally and personally.”

John speaks with quiet pride about his time at UOW and his long career at BlueScope. But what’s most prominent is his belief in the value of collaboration. He sees the partnership between the steelworks and the ¾«¶«´«Ã½ as a significant force for the Illawarra – one that has shaped lives, promoted innovation and helped the region transition from a heavy industry stronghold to a knowledge-driven economy.

A photo of the group of Mechanical Engineering cadets John (top row, centre) started with in 1976.

A partnership built in steel

The relationship between UOW and BlueScope is deeply rooted in the steelmaking history of the region. Port Kembla has long been the industrial heart of ¾«¶«´«Ã½, and the steelworks – once part of BHP and later BlueScope – has been one of the city's largest employers for generations.

In the early days of the ¾«¶«´«Ã½, it was common for local students to earn cadetships or apprenticeships at the steelworks while studying. The work was tough, but it paid dividends – not just for the students, but for the companies that benefited from their growing expertise.

“We had people in the labs, on the floor, in the control rooms, in maintenance and engineering – many of them UOW students or grads,” John recalls. “There was always this sense of practical application. You weren’t learning in a vacuum. You were solving real problems.”

That practicality became a cornerstone of the relationship. Over the decades, UOW and BlueScope have worked hand-in-hand on joint research projects, engineering innovations and workforce development initiatives. The ¾«¶«´«Ã½’s world-leading research in materials engineering and the broader engineering professions, and its longstanding Steel Research Hub have helped BlueScope address key challenges, from improving product performance, improving process efficiency to cutting carbon emissions.

John was featured in the UOW Gazette in 1983. Pic credit: The Illawarra Mercury, South Coast Colour, and Marilyn Johnson.“Some of the work we’ve done together has been transformative,” John says. “It’s helped us evolve, stay competitive and stay relevant both in Australia and globally.”

People at the core

Despite the scale of the collaboration, John is quick to point out that at its core the partnership is about people.

“We’ve seen hundreds, probably thousands, of UOW graduates come through BlueScope over the years,” he says. “They bring a level of energy and expertise that keeps the business fresh. And because they’re local or put their roots down in the Illawarra many of them stay. They build careers, raise families and contribute to the community.”

That community connection runs deep. Generations of families have ties to both institutions. It’s not uncommon to hear stories of parents who worked in the mills and children who studied at UOW, or of students who started as cadets and ended up in senior leadership roles.

“There’s a mutual respect,” John says. “The ¾«¶«´«Ã½ values the real-world knowledge that industry can offer, and we value the new ideas and innovation that the ¾«¶«´«Ã½ brings.”

In 2024, John came full circle, receiving a ¾«¶«´«Ã½ Fellowship in recognition of his remarkable journey and collaboration with UOW through BlueScope. Pic credit: Michael Gray.

This relationship has only strengthened over time. BlueScope continues to support scholarships, sponsor research, and create pathways for students to transition into the workforce. Meanwhile, UOW tailors many of its programs to meet the needs of local industries – not just steel, but advanced manufacturing, energy, and engineering more broadly.

Looking to the future

Now, as the ¾«¶«´«Ã½ marks its 50th anniversary, John sees the moment as both a celebration and a call to action.

“We’re at a tipping point,” he says. “The world is changing rapidly, especially in areas like decarbonisation, automation and digital transformation. If we want to meet those challenges, we need strong partnerships. We need to keep breaking down the barriers between academia and industry.”

He believes UOW is uniquely positioned to lead in this space, thanks to its deep roots in the community and its global reputation for applied research.

“We’ve got all the ingredients right here,” he says. “World-class researchers. Smart, motivated students. An industry that’s hungry to adapt and improve. We just need to keep working together.”

For BlueScope, that means investing in the next generation of talent, continuing to support research and development, and embracing new ways of working. For UOW, it means staying flexible, responsive and connected to the needs of business and the broader community.

“I think the next 50 years will be just as exciting – maybe even more so,” John says. “Because the challenges we’re facing are big. But the opportunities are even bigger.”

Illawarra – the vision

The story of UOW and BlueScope is, in many ways, the story of ¾«¶«´«Ã½ itself. A city that has transformed, diversified and grown, but never lost its identity. A city that knows the value of hard work, education and sticking together.

As UOW celebrates 50 years it does so with a strong sense of place – and a deep appreciation for the partnerships that helped it get here. The partnership with BlueScope is more than just a chapter in that story. It’s part of the foundation.

And for John, that legacy is something worth celebrating.

“It’s about more than steel,” he says. “It’s about trust. It’s about people backing each other, helping each other succeed. That’s what this partnership has always been about. And I think that’s what will carry it forward.”