Curtin University has strengthened its city presence with the official opening of Curtin University St Georges Terrace by the Hon Peter Collier, Minister for Education, today.
Under a new lease agreement with the National Trust of Australia (WA), the Old Perth Boys’ School, has been transformed into a hub for community and stakeholder engagement.
Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry said the culturally significant building, located at the entrance to Brookfield Place, would be used to increase the University’s engagement with business and industry, connect with city-based alumni and prospective students, and to provide a central location for undergraduate and postgraduate course information.
“In order to achieve deeper and more effective collaboration and engagement between universities and the business community, we need to make ourselves much more accessible to industry,” Professor Terry said.
“This is exactly what the new site on St Georges Terrace is all about – it is designed to ensure that we more effectively engage with our city-based industry and business partners.
“Curtin St Georges Terrace, along with Curtin Graduate School of Business and the Curtin University Law School, both in Murray Street, will help strengthen the University’s links with the business, legal and commercial heart of WA.
“The internal fit out reflects its contemporary use, while conserving and respecting its unique mid-19th century architecture.”
Constructed in 1854, the Old Perth Boys’ School was the first purpose-built public school in Perth and has historic links to Curtin University through Perth Technical College and the Western Australian Institute of Technology.
“It is fitting that the Old Perth Boys’ School will once again have an educational use with Curtin University and we are pleased to have worked with the National Trust of Australia (WA) in conserving this important part of Western Australia’s heritage,” Professor Terry said.
