A multi university campus in the Western Sydney Aerotropolis will make the Western Parkland City one of Australia’s pre-eminent learning centres.
Greater Sydney Commission chief commissioner Lucy Turnbull says the science, technology, engineering and maths focus of would underpin the Western Parkland City’s future, supporting high-skill, high technology jobs and advanced industries.
Plans for a “multiversity’’ higher education campus in the heart of the new Western Sydney Aerotropolis were unveiled by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian yesterday.
The NUW Alliance (the University of Newcastle, UNSW Sydney and the University of Wollongong) and Western Sydney University will join forces to deliver a world-class higher education and research presence in Western Sydney.
The so called multiversity will specialise in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and be part of the Aerotropolis precinct at Badgerys Creek.
By leveraging the expertise of the four institutions -students, employees and the wider community will have unparalleled access to innovative teaching and research.
The four universities will create one campus with strong links to local industry, tailored vocational education and training, and STEM-focused schooling.
“The Western Parkland City will be the equal of any Australian city for high quality university education,’’ Ms Turnbull said.
“World class educational opportunities will be a pillar of the Western Parkland City, alongside the aerotropolis, the airport and well-planned and highly liveable communities.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“This announcement builds on existing university investments in Campbelltown-Macarthur, Penrith and Liverpool, which all now boast university campuses.[/social_quote]
“This will help address the historic imbalance of jobs and education across Greater Sydney, which leaves 158,000 people each day making long commutes from the West to the Central and Eastern cities.
“By growing the opportunities in the West, this is an investment in intergenerational equity for current and future generations with jobs, education, hospitals, services and recreation within 30 minutes of where people live,” she said.
Chief coordinator for the Western City, Geoff Roberts, said the multiversity announcement was further evidence the vision of a Metropolis of Three Cities was becoming a reality and builds on what already makes Western Sydney a great place to live.
“We are seeing a major shift in opportunities to Greater Sydney’s west, supported by all three levels of government. Outstanding education, jobs, infrastructure, technology and great places to live will define the Western Parkland City,” Mr Roberts said.
“Only 16 per cent of Greater Sydney’s university places currently exist outside of the Eastern City, even though a third of our university students live in the Central and Western Cities.
“The Western Parkland City will be the envy of many for its health and education precincts, educational opportunities and forward-looking innovation and productivity focus, bounded by a unique and world heritage-listed natural landscape,” Mr Roberts said.
