Deakin goes west

Deakin University today announced plans to establish a presence in Melbourne's west.

Speaking at a community forum - in partnership with The Gordon (TAFE) - with local business, employment and educational groups in the City of Wyndham, Deakin Vice Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander said the university would establish a facility in the west to deliver higher education for the area's rapidly growing population.

"The south-west of Melbourne is increasing its demand for higher education with a 30 per cent increase in students enrolling in university over the last two years and an anticipated population growth of 6.2 per cent per annum," she said.

"We plan to establish a facility that is stylish, engaging and meaningful to the local community to enhance awareness of Deakin's programs, to build aspiration for and to offer higher education and pathways into the undergraduate programs that we offer at our two campuses in Geelong," she said.

The plans for Deakin West include :

• A strong partnership with The Gordon to deliver both TAFE diplomas and higher education;
• Advanced teleworking infrastructure, including large interactive screens and audio visual facilities to allow staff and students to work and study;
• Wireless 'Deakin connect' rooms and workstations where staff and students can work while charging their mobile devices;
• Delivery of cloud-enabled higher education courses in Business, Commerce and Early Childhood Education;
• Delivery of diplomas by The Gordon to provide pathways to Deakin.

Professor den Hollander said that the higher education landscape around the world was changing rapidly with a focus on flexible delivery to cater for today's mobile and digitally-connected students.

"Through our new strategic plan launched last year, we have a commitment to transform the learning experience for students wherever they are physically, wherever they are in their capacity to learn and wherever they are in their career trajectory and life stage," she said.

Professor den Hollander said that Deakin would work with The Gordon in the new facility to offer a range of pathway programs for students and to cater for both vocational and tertiary education demand.

"By partnering with The Gordon, we will be able to offer options for students interested in TAFE diplomas through to research degrees without them having to travel long distances," she said.

Chief Executive Officer of The Gordon, Grant Sutherland said they are committed to delivering high quality education and training in the Wyndham region.

"We have a long history of collaboration and partnership with Deakin, and today's forum was designed for the local community to tell us what their needs and priorities are. The Gordon will deliver courses locally to meet industry and community needs and also provide an attractive option to study at our Geelong campuses," he said.

"We are also looking forward to commencing delivery of training at the Wyndham Trade Training Centres in 2014 and working closely with secondary schools in the region."

Deakin is currently exploring suitable accommodation options in Werribee and Hoppers Crossing for the new facility.

"This proposal is part of our plans to grow enrolments at our two Geelong campuses over the next five years so access to a reliable and frequent public transport service to Geelong is important," Professor den Hollander said.

A Deakin community engagement officer will be based in the new facility which is expected to be operational by the start of the 2014 academic year.