Quiet education revolution taking place in Liverpool

The University of NSW is set to establish a presence in Liverpool after signing a memorandum of understanding with the local council.

It is not clear what that presence will be, nor when it will take place.

According to a media release from council, the aim of the memorandum of understanding is to “foster a close working relationship between Liverpool Council and the university, partnering in various projects and exchanging information’’.

The signing of the memorandum came after a summit of education and business leaders to discuss Liverpool’s evolution into an education hub.

Academics from Western Sydney University, the University of NSW and the University of Wollongong shared their vision for Liverpool’s future.

They outlined plans to expand their presence in Liverpool’s city centre, aiming to increase the current student population from 9,000 in 2024 to 50,000 by 2050.

Following the roundtable, a panel of local university students spoke about their aspirations for Liverpool, emphasising a desire for a sustainable, globally connected, socially responsible, cohesive, and safe city with a vibrant evening economy.

Liverpool has witnessed a demographic shift towards a more educated and professional population where a young dynamic workforce is emerging, driven by an eagerness to contribute meaningfully to their community and secure their future in south-western Sydney.

This is reflected in statistics which show:

• Between 2011 and 2021, university attendance among Liverpool residents surged by 70 percent, from 6,616 to 11,253;

• In 2021, 20.1 percent of the Liverpool LGA’s population (36,588 people) held a bachelor’s degree, compared to 15.7 percent (24,888) in 2016;

• Projections indicate a further increase, with an expected enrolment of 15,000 additional students in university and TAFE courses in Liverpool by 2024;

• The percentage of individuals in the Liverpool LGA completing year 12 rose to 57.5 percent in 2021 from 52.1 percent in 2016.