C220/08
5 August 2008
The Vice-Chancellor of Curtin University of Technology, Professor Jeanette Hacket, today responded to community concerns and agreed to keep first and second year courses in Kalgoorlie.
Professor Hacket said that after serious consideration of a variety of issues, and taking into account the community’s concern over the decision to teach first and second year only at Curtin’s Bentley campus, she had decided to keep those years in Kalgoorlie to facilitate the achievement of objectives agreed at a meeting with Mayor Yuryevich, John Bowler and others.
These objectives were achieving a viable cohort of 30 first year students, improved access to student accommodation and improved regional funding under the Australian Higher Education Review.
However, she said this decision had been made possible only with the support promised by the community. The situation will be reviewed in 2010.
“We will intensify our local recruitment effort, and will be relying on the community, under the leadership of Mayor Ron Yuryevich, to play its part in attracting more students to Curtin in Kalgoorlie,” said Professor Hacket.
“We have identified several issues of concern to us including the ability to provide student accommodation in Kalgoorlie, and also the lack of a viable first year cohort choosing to study locally.
“The growth achieved in WASM Kalgoorlie has been through students wishing to study the first and second year of their course at our Bentley campus, and then come to Kalgoorlie for third and fourth year.
“Mayor Yuryevich’s group has said they can help raise student numbers, address other issues including accommodation and support the University’s efforts to obtain greater regional funding for higher education in Kalgoorlie.”
The Vice-Chancellor said the University would also consider a number of options relating to flexible teaching delivery modes, mixed modes of teaching and further using technology at the Kalgoorlie campus.
“These options have the potential to not only enhance student learning but to also reduce costs, which will help make leaving all years of teaching in Kalgoorlie more viable for the University.”
Professor Hacket said Curtin was committed to maintaining both education and research facilities at Kalgoorlie, and to expanding the footprint of the School to ultimately incorporate activities relevant to the Pilbara, Western Australia’s other great mining area.
“Our vision is for the WA School of Mines to be a world leader in minerals and mining education and research, and we look forward to working with the community and industry to make this a reality.”
Modified: 7 August 2008
