University of Wollongong opens Liverpool campus as Western Sydney University plans for 2018

TWO universities are going all out to cement their place in Sydney’s south west. University of Wollongong officially opened this week and Western Sydney University is right behind it.

An artist's impression of Western Sydney University's Liverpool higher education centre which is currently under construction.

• Uni of Wollongong’s free access program
• UWS unveils its southwestern Sydney plans

THE University of Wollongong celebrated its official opening in Liverpool this week but Western Sydney University is hot on its heels, with its teaching campus due to open early in 2018.

As the two battle to cement their place in Sydney’s southwest, it is Liverpool’s residents who will benefit from their presence.

UOW already has students enrolled in arts, business, business information systems, computer science and information technology while WSU plans to provide a suite of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in business, information technology and health.

It will also offer its college — a range of diploma programs which gives students direct entry to the second year of a WSU degree upon completion.

Greater Sydney Commission chief commissioner Lucy Turnbull at the University of Wollongong official opening. Picture: Melvyn Knipe

Lucy Turnbull chats with students. Picture: Melvyn Knipe

Greater Sydney Commission chief commissioner Lucy Turnbull was joined by Liverpool Mayor Wendy Waller, University of Wollongong chancellor Jillian Broadbent and vice-chancellor Paul Wellings to open the UOW campus on Tuesday.

UOW plans to offer the Bachelor of Arts/Laws and Bachelor of Business/Laws as double degrees and only announced its intensions to expand into Sydney’s southwest in May last year.

It will open its Western Sydney Nursing Education and Research Centre to train the next generation of nurses.

Professor Wellings described the southwestern Sydney campus as a shared vision and partnership between the university and Liverpool Council.

“Establishing a new campus is a major undertaking and to be standing here less than a year after the then-NSW Premier Mike Baird announced our plans ... is testament to our strong partnership,” Prof Wellings said.

From left, Fowler MP Chris Hayes, University of Wollongong vice chancellor Paul Wellings, Lucy Turnbull and Liverpool mayor Wendy Waller. Picture: Melvyn Knipe

It operates over two floors in Moore St with plans to move into a purpose-built site in 2020. The first cohort of students started their studies in February.

WSU wouldn’t confirm if it had secured all levels of its Elizabeth St site, under construction, located next to Westfield.

WSU assistant vice-chancellor strategy and projects Andy Marks said the university would announce its plans in more detail soon.

Dr Marks said the ­significant high-rise campus presence would expand its already large-scale clinical presence at Liverpool Hospital.

“The campus will upscale the university’s intensive support of business and innovation at its LaunchPad start-up incubator on Moore St,” Dr Marks said.

To continue its partnership with UOW, Liverpool Council has thrown $30,000 in scholarships for UOW students.

Liverpool Council mayor Wendy Waller. Picture: Melvyn Knipe

They include five $2000 scholarships for financially or socially disadvantaged students from the Liverpool region each year for three years.

Cr Waller said having a university campus in Liverpool would make a huge difference to the young people.

“It gives them a chance to build a solid footing for their future without leaving their local support networks and without the burden of a lengthy commute,” Cr Waller said.