University of Wollongong Opens at Liverpool
The University of Wollongong has officially opened its new South Western Sydney Campus Campus in Liverpool.
Speaking to the Champion on Tuesday, Greater Sydney Commission chief Lucy Turnbull said the new campus would great much needed education opportunities for people in south west Sydney.
“It is a great opportunity for high school kids here because they will have greater opportunities if they can go to universities in places closer to where they live,” Ms Turnbull said.
“It makes it more likely that more kids in the area will get tertiary education and that is a great thing.
“It is an important step in building the economic infrastructure this region needs and it really does need to support the high levels of population growth that we expect.”
Ms Turnbull said the university would also create more cultural and social vibrancy in the Liverpool city centre.
“This will be an important part of Liverpool becoming one of the great smart cities around the Western Sydney airport,” she said.
“[Liverpool is] one of Lachlan Macquarie’s towns, it is a beautiful place with a beautiful river. There are a lot of great things here already and building university and health infrastructure around this city is a wonderful thing to do.”
The campus will be temporarily located in Liverpool City Council’s Moore Street building, until its new purpose built facility on Scott Street is completed.
While there are about 150 students currently enrolled, the campus is expected to accommodate 7000 students by 2030.
During the event, mayor Wendy Waller announced Liverpool council’s commitment to fund $30,000 in scholarships over the next three years.
Unveiling the plaque: Fowler MP Chris Hayes, OUW vice chancellor Professor Paul Wellings, Greater Sydney Commission chief Lucy Turnbull and Liverpool mayor Wendy Waller.
“Having the University of Wollongong here in Liverpool is a huge boost for our city and its people,” Ms Waller said.
“We are home to a vibrant and diverse community where 45 percent of the population is aged are under 30.
“We value the importance of education and the launch of this campus will mean a high-quality tertiary education close to home.”
Ms Waller said five, $2,000 scholarships would be available each year to financially or socially disadvantaged students living in Liverpool.
“Approximately 7000 students leave our area each day to go to university and that means they are on roads and trains away from their home and families,” she said.
“I look forward in seeing these funds go to good use and to help our young folk obtain a higher education at this very wonderful institution.”
