Students have poured back to Australian Catholic University’s Blacktown campus for a welcome fair and the start of Semester 1, as the university enters the third year of its partnership with Blacktown City Council (BCC).
The two entities have just renewed a Heads of Agreement to provide higher education to students in the heart of Western Sydney. ACU and BCC have forged a strong collaboration since the council endorsed ACU’s bid to establish the new campus, which opened to students in 2021.
In that time, residents of Blacktown have embraced the opportunity to attend university in their own community. The Main Street campus attracts students enrolling in university degrees, high school students taking part in pathway programs, conferences on campus that are showcasing ACU research, as well as providing networking possibilities for industry partners.
More than 1,200 students enrolled in more than 30 courses across four faculties have just commenced Semester 1, around double the inaugural cohort. That number is expected to double again over the next few years, with prospects to expand further once a second building in Warrick Lane opens in 2029.
While the campus is taking shape in the centre of town, the university is actively involved in the development of Blacktown Exercise Sports and Technology Hub – BEST – at the Blacktown International Sports Park, which will host ACU’s exercise and sports science higher education and research programs.
ACU Campus Dean Dr Valentine Mukuria said the partnership would continue to flourish in a community that had welcomed it so warmly.
“You only need to look at the bustling campus this week to see what a success this partnership has already been in bringing education, research and growing industry connections right to the door of Blacktown and the greater Western Sydney region. We could not be more delighted with the generous spirit of collaboration and support that Blacktown City Council has extended to us. It has been a whole of community endeavour to bring this concept to life, and will continue to be a deep collaboration as the next stages of our commitment continue to unfold.”
Mayor of Blacktown City, Tony Bleasdale OAM said “Blacktown City Council is delighted to have ACU in our city. ACU staff and students help enliven Blacktown city centre, and help enrich our entire community. Our partnership continues to develop, and I look forward to a very bright future for ACU in Western Sydney”.
With thanks to ACU.
