Cash for Westmead Hospital precinct as University of Sydney partners with Western Sydney Health

THE University of Sydney will spend $60 million on the Westmead precinct to fund projects focused on data sciences, engineering, physics, business management and social sciences.

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THE brightest minds will be brought together as part of a partnership agreement between the University of Sydney and Westmead precinct announced today.

About $60 million will be pledged from the university, to fund new projects focused on data sciences, engineering, physics, business management and social sciences as the centre moves away from the traditional ­hospital model.

Funding will also go towards a new simulation ward with electronic dummies and actors that replicate medical situations for student training.

Education facilities will be upgraded and new academic programs phased in as the ­university boosts its presence in Western Sydney.

Concept image of Westmead Hospital redevelopment.

Health Minister Jillian Skinner said Westmead would be the “Harvard of the south”.

“Bring it on, I can’t wait for the work to go ahead,” Ms Skinner said.

University of Sydney Vice Chancellor Dr Michael Spence said the funding would significantly boost student numbers.

“Over time, the university will increase the number of students there to about 6000 from about 1200 at the ­moment,” Dr Spence said.

“The next era of strategic growth for the University of Sydney will be in and for ­Western Sydney.”

Funding will also go towards a new simulation ward with electronic dummies and actors. Picture: Stefanie Zingsheim

The University of Sydney money will include:

■ 5000m2 across two floors of the Westmead redevelopment’s new acute services

building, to become the central location of the University of Sydney’s Westmead

Campus

■ An upgrade and expansion of the current Westmead Education and Conference

Centre within Westmead Hospital, to provide innovative and versatile learning

environments

■ Refurbishment of student facilities at Westmead

■ A new simulation ward, which provides facilities for educating students in nursing,

medicine and allied health, and training staff at Westmead Hospital and The

Children’s Hospital at Westmead.