The University of Canberra will receive $25.9 million under the Commonwealth’s Structural Adjustment Fund for a revised curriculum and new facilities as the higher education sector prepares for demand driven funding in 2012.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen Parker welcomed the investment in the University’s future.
“This funding will enable the University to build on several years of renewal and flourish in the new higher education environment,” Professor Parker said.
The funding will support the strategy of building the UC Group, led by the University of Canberra as a world-ranked research university, but including a teaching-only division, UC Schools and the existing UC College.
The funding also takes into account discussions around a merger between the University of Canberra and the Canberra Institute of Technology.
“The University’s position is to support a merger and we are awaiting the ACT Government’s decision on this,” Professor Parker said.
“Whatever the outcome, we believe there are opportunities for collaboration. Should future collaboration involve UC and CIT working together on a new institution, this funding could help provide it with a strong foundation.”
The original application for the grant was primarily to establish UC Polytechnic, a diploma-granting subsidiary of the University. In parallel, the Hawke and Bradley reports recommended that UC and CIT merge.
“This funding is great news for the ACT and region, it will see significant investment in education and, whatever the final model, students will benefit from an innovative, flexible and responsive education system,” Professor Parker said.
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