The renaming of Curtin University

A name change signals the growing profile of the University.

In 2010, the University opened another new chapter in its history, changing its name from Curtin University of Technology to Curtin University. This change was championed across the University by those who felt the new name would better reflect the evolution of Curtin from an institution of applied technology to a fully-fledged university – focused on research and with a wide breadth of offerings. As the name change required an amendment to the Act under which Curtin was established, Curtin University operated as a trademark of the legal entity of Curtin University of Technology until the Act was finally amended in January 2017.

The renamed university has certainly moved ahead over the past decade, with the opening of a law school and medical school and the establishment of two new overseas campuses in Dubai and Mauritius.

It has also progressed planning for its Greater Curtin project that will see the Perth campus open its doors more broadly to industry and the community, creating a major urban hub for innovation and collaboration and creating facilities for students, staff and visitors to live, work and study on campus. Construction work on the first stage of this major project, known as Exchange, is currently underway and set to officially open in January 2022.

Curtin has also embraced the new learning styles and opportunities afforded by the digital age, including the development of more collaborative learning spaces that promote knowledge sharing and creation between students – despite geographical distances – as well as the establishment of Massive Open Online Courses, or MOOCs, that are delivering education to new audiences around the world.

In recent times, Curtin has also expanded its presence in the Perth CBD, returning to its educational roots with its occupation of the former two Perth Technical College buildings at 137 and 139 St Georges Terrace to expand its engagement with industry, alumni and the broader community.

Curtin has come a long way since its inception. From its roots in technical education through its evolution as an institute of technology and rebirth as a university, Curtin has stayed true to the writings of John Curtin, to “look ever forward.”