In a move to more closely align with its strategic vision, the Curtin University Council, in discussion with Navitas Ltd, made a decision late yesterday to close its Sydney campus by early 2017.
The Sydney campus in Chippendale, which opened in 2005, currently has over 800 international students enrolled in Curtin undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Curtin University provides the curriculum, quality oversight and branding, while education partner Navitas manages the campus and delivers the programs.
Curtin Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry said that although the Sydney campus was returning a financial surplus, the University had a very clear vision for its future global positioning. Based on the outcomes of two independent expert reviews, the University had concluded that a Curtin presence in Sydney did not fully align with its current focus or vision.
“We acknowledge this decision will impact a number of our students, however the gradual phasing out of our programs means that students who are due to complete their degree before the end of the second trimester in 2016 will be unaffected. Those students, who are the majority of our current students, will complete their studies at the Curtin Sydney campus.” Professor Terry said.
“Curtin has identified recommended options for all other students that ensure they can complete their studies with no impact on the expected course duration or cost, either at another Curtin campus, or in an equivalent course at the University of Technology Sydney or another approved higher education provider.
“We are very appreciative that UTS has agreed to assist Curtin students during this transition period.”
The Vice-Chancellor of UTS, Professor Attila Brungs, confirmed the transfer option.
“UTS would be delighted to welcome students from Curtin Sydney and we will ensure they are fully supported to successfully make the transition and join the UTS community,” Professor Brungs said.
Professor Terry said Curtin’s very strong focus now was to ensure students could complete their course at Curtin as smoothly as possible, or if necessary, be supported during their transition to another course within the coming year.
“All our students have received written advice today and we have arranged a series of information sessions to ensure they clearly understand how this change is likely to affect them and that they are aware of the ongoing support that is available during the transition period,” Professor Terry said.
“Curtin has enjoyed a strong relationship with Navitas in the operation of the Sydney campus over the last ten years and I thank the staff for their continued support of students during this transition We look forward to continuing to develop our partnership with Navitas in other areas of our operations.”
“We have managed the Curtin Sydney campus since 2005 with great outcomes for students and the University. Our priority now is to keep supporting the students to achieve their academic goals throughout this transition, as well as further progressing our already productive relationship with Curtin University in regard to our two other partnerships – Curtin College in Perth, and the managed Curtin Singapore campus,” Mr Rod Jones, Group CEO of Navitas said.
Curtin University has recently been ranked in the top 300 universities in the world in the highly-regarded Academic Ranking of World Universities, released by Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Curtin has a student population of over 50,000.
