You can search for courses, events, people, and anything else.
The Centre for Western Sydney has a full calendar of community and industry focused events that aim to raise awareness of the opportunities and challenges that face Western Sydney and advocate for positive change.
For information on upcoming events, request to join our mailing list by emailing cfws@westernsydney.edu.au
'Digital Equity and Education' launch event
4 December 2024
The Centre for Western Sydney is proud to partner with the Whitlam Institute and Wester’ly on the report Digital Equity and Education: A NSW Case Study.
From a survey of 445 NSW school staff between April and June 2023, our research found alarming levels of digital exclusion among certain groups and a significant disparity in digital equity based on location.
The report was officially launched by Vice-Chancellor, Distinguished Professor George Williams AO and the Hon. Jihad Dib MP.
For more information visit our news page: New report reveals the extent of the digital divide between NSW school students
'Unleashing Creativity' launch event
21 November 2024
A new report, produced in collaboration with Western Sydney Creative and the City of Parramatta, highlights the economic and cultural value of Western Sydney’s creative sector.
'Unleashing Creativity: Strategies for Growing Western Sydney’s Creative Industries’ was launched at Parramatta Town Hall by Chancellor Professor Jennifer Westacott AO.
For more information visit our news page: Report recommends strategic investment to unlock Western Sydney’s creative potential
'Unleashing Creativity' launch event – Video Highlights Reel
For more video content, visit the Centre for Western Sydney YouTube channel.
'Unlimited Potential' economic strategy launch
7 November 2024
Western Sydney University has launched an ambitious 30-year economic blueprint aimed at reshaping the future of Western Sydney. The plan will deliver higher incomes, better job opportunities, and an improved quality of life for residents, by accelerating the region from a peripheral economy into a national economic powerhouse.
Unlimited Potential: Western Sydney’s Economic Strategy was launched by Chancellor Professor Jennifer Westacott AO.
For more information visit our news page: 30-year strategy to transform region into Australia’s next economic powerhouse
Strengthening Social Cohesion Conference
22 August 2024
There has never been a more important time for this event to take place, with economic pressures, local and geopolitical issues, and divisive rhetoric continuing to take their toll.
This two-day event brought together representatives from community, government, and industry across the nation to tackle these critical issues. Attendees accessed a blend of plenary sessions, concurrent workshops, and immersion sessions geared towards equipping them with the knowledge and skills to, individually and collectively, deliver solutions that improve social cohesion and the lives of the people they work with.
In Conversation with Distinguished Professor George Williams AO
22 August 2024
The remarkable, self-driven transformation of our Western Sydney region was the centrepiece of a special ‘In Conversation’ event featuring new Western Sydney University Vice-Chancellor, Distinguished Professor George Williams AO.
Speaking to an audience of industry, business and community leaders in one of his first public engagements since commencing as Vice-Chancellor, Professor Williams outlined his vision for the University and reinforced its important role as an anchor institution for Western Sydney.
In Conversation with Distinguished Professor George Williams AO
In Conversation with Distinguished Professor George Williams AO - Video Highlights Reel
For more video content, visit the Centre for Western Sydney YouTube channel.
International Women's Day 2024
8 March 2024
Western Sydney University Chancellor, Professor Jennifer Westacott AO, launched our report ‘Unlocking Women’s Potential: Labour force participation in Western Sydney’ at the University’s International Women’s Day (IWD) event in 2024.
The event, sponsored by Westpac, Western Sydney International Airport and Business Western Sydney, was held at the University’s Parramatta City campus. For more information visit our news page: Gender equity: “It’s where you live that counts”
International Women's Day - Video Highlights Reel
For more video content, visit the Centre for Western Sydney YouTube channel.
'Unlimited Potential' economic plan launch event
22 February 2024
The Centre for Western Sydney delivered on behalf of Western Sydney University Chancellor, Professor Jennifer Westacott AO, a comprehensive blueprint that will build on the region’s existing advantages and propel Western Sydney to the forefront of the global economy.
'Unlimited Potential: Western Sydney’s economic plan' was launched by the Chancellor at an event at the University’s Parramatta City campus, featuring NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney, The Hon. Prue Car MP. For more information visit our news page: Western Sydney University unveils ambitious economic plan for the region.
'Unlimited Potential’ Economic Plan Launch Event – Video Highlights Reel
For more video content, visit the Centre for Western Sydney YouTube channel.
Home Truths: The real housing story in Western Sydney
9 November 2023
The Centre for Western Sydney report, ‘Home Truths: The Real Housing Story in Western Sydney’, demonstrated that the region is at the epicentre of the state’s housing crisis.
The report was launched at the University’s Liverpool City campus, at an event featuring Charishma Kaliyandra MP, Member for Liverpool, and Anita Hanna from the Western Sydney Community Forum. For more information visit our news page: Western Sydney at epicentre of the state’s housing crisis.
100 Days in Government
19 July 2023
The Centre for Western Sydney hosted NSW Premier, The Hon. Chris Minns MP, at a special event to recognise the Premier’s first 100 days in government.
The event, held at the University’s Parramatta City campus, provided the opportunity for the Premier to share with key community, public and private sector representative his government’s vision for the region. For more information visit our news page: In conversation with the Premier on his priorities for Western Sydney.
100 Days in Government – Video Highlights Reel
For more video content, visit the Centre for Western Sydney YouTube channel.
Morning tea with the Chancellor
4 April 2023
Western Sydney University and Business Western Sydney hosted morning tea with Professor Jennifer Westacott AO. Professor Westacott commenced as the fourth Chancellor of Western Sydney University in January 2023. The morning tea event was an opportunity for guests to hear Professor Westacott’s vision for the university and the region.
State of the Arts in Western Sydney
16 March 2023
The Centre for Western Sydney partnered with Western Sydney Creative and Business Western Sydney to deliver its keystone report for 2023, ‘State of the Arts in Western Sydney.’
The report was launched at an event, hosted by Business Western Sydney, in the Parramatta CBD and featured a presentation of the report findings by Dr Rhonda Itaoui. For more information visit our news page: Report calls for the west to be given fair share of arts and cultural funding.
Western Sydney Votes Forum
February 2023
The Centre for Western Sydney’s Western Sydney Votes Forums saw State Government Ministers and Shadow Ministers engage in lively debates on topical issues concerning the region in advance of the NSW State Election.
Four Forums were delivered across four Western Sydney University campuses.
For more information visit our news page: Western Sydney centre stage in NSW election forums.
In Conversation with Chris Minns MP
Ahead of the state election in March 2023, Professor Andy Marks sat down with then Opposition Leader Chris Minns MP. In this one-on-one interview, the Labor leader discussed cost of living pressures in Western Sydney; the need to close the gaps in school infrastructure; and why our region isn't getting its fair share of arts and culture funding.
For more video content, visit the Centre for Western Sydney YouTube channel.
CatalystWest
November 2022
The Centre for Western Sydney is the home of CatalystWest – Western Sydney’s largest ideas forum. The event brings together the best and brightest minds to hit the reset button and make headway on the most pressing issues impacting the region.
The last CatalystWest was hosted in November 2022 in partnership with LaunchPad. For more information visit our news page: CatalystWest 2022 – It is time for a reset in Western Sydney.
Launch of 'The Glover Review'
6 October 2022
Western Sydney University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Barney Glover AO, was appointed by the NSW Premier, The Hon. Dominic Perrottet MP, to lead a review on how to develop the Parramatta region as a global city.
The Centre for Western Sydney delivered the resulting report on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, ‘Parramatta 20235: Vibrant, Sustainable, Global’ – also known as ‘The Glover Review.’
The report was launched at the University’s Parramatta City campus and featured an address by the Premier. For more information visit the publication page: Parramatta 2035.
