UWS and the global education services provider, Navitas Limited, have signed an agreement to establish a pathway college for international students on the university’s premises in the corporate precinct of the Parramatta CBD.
The college will be named UWS International College (UWSIC) and jointly owned by both parties with each committing a maximum of $2.5 million towards its establishment, in the university’s Parramatta City campus, in the 15-storey, former McNamara Centre, on the corner of George and Smith streets.
The joint venture, which will be governed by a board of directors with equal Navitas and UWS representation, has an indefinite term, but a two- way exit mechanism is available after five years based on an independent expert’s valuation.
UWSIC is expected to commence teaching international students in October 2015.
It will deliver diploma and foundation programs including business, communication, engineering and IT courses with plans to provide further diplomas as the college becomes more established.
Students who successfully complete the program will be eligible to continue their studies in degree courses at UWS.
With the establishment of UWSIC, the university’s UWSCollege will focus on domestic students providing foundation studies, English-language and diploma courses to students, on campuses in Western Sydney and Lithgow.
UWSIC follows start of construction of a new $35 million science building at the university’s Parramatta campus, at Rydalmere (WSBA, April 2015).
Other expansion of UWS is already underway elsewhere in the CBD with expectations that it will take up residence in a 14-storey, 26,500-square-metre building, in 2017, being constructed on the corner of Smith and Macquarie streets in excess of $220 million,.
The “flagship campus tower” which will accommodate over 10,000 students, will complement the UWS campus, at Rydalmere.
In another expansionary move, UWS has opened its state-of-the-art $30 million Werrington Park Corporate Centre, in Penrith, which aims to provide established and emerging businesses with contemporary office space and links to the latest research and innovation.
The centre is the first step in developing a 58-hectare business park precinct which is expected to generate 6000 knowledge jobs in areas such as health, engineering, digital communication and education over the next 20 years.
Plans are already under way for a partnership with an Australian biopharmaceutical company to be located at the centre, as well as a Western Sydney science centre modelled on Questacon, the National Science and Technology, in Canberra.
