The University of Newcastle has received a commitment from Federal Labor to invest $133 million towards a new campus in the Gosford CBD, including $28 million for capital works and $105 million for new student places on the Central Coast.
The investment would be a significant step towards achieving the university’s $250 million vision for an integrated multicampus presence on the Central Coast. It builds on the announcement in the 2019 Federal Budget of $18 million for the Gosford campus.
The new CBD campus will be built near the site of the Central Coast Medical School and Research Institute, due to open in 2020, and will complement the University of Newcastle’s Ourimbah campus, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
The funding announcement supplements the $85 million investment in the Central Coast Medical School and Research Institute already made by the Federal Government, University of Newcastle, and the NSW Government, as well as recent commitments made by the NSW Government.
University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky AO said the funding would help provide lasting opportunities for people living on the Coast.
“Our vision for the Coast is built on our core values of excellence and equity. People in this region are still less likely to have a degree than if they lived in Sydney,” Alex said.
“We want people on the Coast to have the opportunities they need to transform their lives. This future-focussed campus will help us deliver the best courses, staff and facilities, and build on our excellent pathways programs.
“The new Gosford CBD campus, alongside our Central Coast Medical School and Research Institute and Ourimbah campus, will provide people with more options to study locally, delivering positive, lasting change in our communities.”
The university will deliver a number of innovative, bespoke courses from the new campus, including digital communications, cyber security and data science, and innovation and entrepreneurship. These will be delivered alongside core programs tailored for the Central Coast community, such as public and community health and marine science.
The university will also partner with TAFE NSW to develop and deliver new courses, and ensure students can move more easily between courses at institutions.
The new Gosford campus will build on the university’s track record in innovation, entrepreneurship and partnership with the community. The campus will include an entrepreneurship and small business innovation centre, which will form part of the Integrated Innovation Network, a community learning hub and accommodation for up to 300 students.
IMAGE | University of Newcastle welcome $133 million funding commitment on Central Coast
