An exciting new phase of the UNE Tamworth expansion has begun, with the launch of the vision for an innovative university offering in the city.
The university and stakeholders presented to business, community and political leaders the UNE Tamworth Plan at an event on 21 August, after extensive consultations with industry, government and community.
UNE is working in partnership with Tamworth to build a university presence that stimulates growth in the city and the wider area, strengthens educational outcomes across the region, and delivers on Tamworth’s ambitious Blueprint 100 strategy for the region.
UNE Tamworth will be rolled out in stages over the next decade, starting with undergraduate certificates in 2021. Courses will be offered with a mix of online and face-to-face delivery, and will include work-integrated learning in areas such as community services, education, sports management, sports science, business and entertainment management.
UNE Tamworth will comprise a main campus in the centre of the city and several Integrated Industry and Community Centres (IICCs) woven through the business and industry precincts. These will enable students to engage in work-integrated learning with local employers, ensuring they graduate with the skills needed for the jobs of the future. The centres will also serve as hubs for engagement with industry, to create knowledge partnerships and enhance innovation.
The first of the IICCs - the Centre for Entertainment Management - will be established in 2021, leveraging the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre (AELEC) as a learning space.
UNE Vice Chancellor and CEO, Professor Brigid Heywood, said the vision for UNE Tamworth was underpinned by a genuine commitment to industry- and community-driven education, knowledge creation and engagement.
“We are excited to be working with Tamworth to build an innovative and modern university presence that extends our current offering in Tamworth and strengthens the capacity of education to stimulate regional economic growth,” Professor Heywood said.
“We are taking the best ideas and concepts from educational institutions around the world to help us design and deliver an offering that is tailored to the needs of the Tamworth region, strengthen the Armidale-Tamworth corridor, and attract new partners.
“This approach includes engaging industry, local government and the Tamworth community in the design and delivery of UNE Tamworth so that students are ‘job ready’ when they graduate. The embedded model also creates an environment for building graduate-ready jobs.
“UNE Tamworth will provide education that is accessible and inclusive, helping Tamworth to train and retain local talent and increase education outcomes for the region.
“The existing workforce will also have opportunities to upskill for the jobs of the future, in an increasingly complex world, where upskilling, reskilling and professional development are key.”
UNE Tamworth is expected to deliver over $600 million in economic benefits to the region over the next 10 years, from the construction phase through to tourism revenue and student and university expenditure.
It is estimated that by 2031, the new campus will create approximately 120 local jobs per year (academic and professional), and a further 200 jobs in the community as a result of student, staff and university expenditure.
UNE gratefully acknowledges ongoing State and Federal Government support for UNE Tamworth.
