Uni Opens Campus At Castle Hill
The University of Canberra is opening a campus in Castle Hill. Details of the new Sydney Hills campus were announced by the University of Canberra on its website today (April 27).
The partnership with the Education Centre of Australia (ECA) will enable people to enrol on the University’s nursing degrees. The offerings, including the Bachelor of Nursing degree and a new Graduate Entry Master of Nursing degree, are planned to be delivered from Semester One and Two in 2022, subject to professional accreditation and regulatory approval.
University of Canberra Pro Vice-Chancellor, Students, Partnerships & International Professor Lawrence Pratchett says the partnership represents an exciting time in the University’s history.
“The partnership with the Education Centre of Australia and the establishment of the new Sydney Hills campus marks a period of growth for the University and an exciting opportunity to take our nursing courses further,” he said.
“We know there is high demand for health courses, particularly in this locale and internationally, so the establishment of the campus has received strong support from local community groups and council.
“The University is currently working closely with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) and the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) towards final accreditation. I am confident we will meet those standards and be able to proceed with the process,” said Professor Pratchett.
Hills Shire Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne, said having a university in The Hills is “a dream come true”.
“Having a university campus in the Castle Hill Town Centre will be a great asset with many added benefits to our Shire, including our residents having access to local tertiary education and having a skilled workforce. It will also create many economic benefits for the area, including driving our day and night time economy.
“I want to thank the Education Centre of Australia (ECA) for their work in bringing a university to our region. I also want to thank Jim Taggart, who is a passionate advocate for the Hills Shire. Jim worked hard with the ECA, and has been instrumental in trying to attract a full-time university presence in this community.
“It is my hope that the University of Canberra will grow alongside our town centre into the future and become a wonderful catalyst for vibrancy, creativity and place making that everyone will want to be a part of,” she said.
Mr Rupesh Singh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Education Centre of Australia said: “Education Centre of Australia (ECA) is very pleased to have collaborated with The Hills Shire Council and University of Canberra to have the opportunity to deliver positive experiences to our community, local families and international students.”
“ECA embeds the philosophy of enhancing student experiences by offering industry recognised courses that create highly employable graduates with current and relevant industry skills.”
Mr Manveer Perhar, UCSH Campus Director of Education Centre of Australia said the campus in Castle Hill “will give us and our children the option to study locally and gain quality education from one of Australia’s top Universities”.
The campus will be based in the former Castle Hill Day Surgery building on the corner of Cecil Ave and Terminus St, adjacent to council’s car park next to Castle Mall.
Hills Shire Council bought the two-storey building in 2016 when the Castle Hill Day Surgery relocated to the new hospital at Norwest.
“At the Sydney Hills campus, we look forward to providing exceptional student facilities,” said Professor Pratchett.
“These include computer labs, lab spaces, simulated hospital wards and high-tech teaching spaces to meet University course requirements for nursing.”
Students at the Sydney Hills campus will also have access to local and regional clinical placements and employment opportunities.
