Western Sydney University welcomes Suburban Study Hub for Fairfield
Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Maryanne Dever; Federal Minister for Education and Member for Blaxland, the Hon. Jason Clare MP; and Pro Vice-Chancellor, Student Success, Professor Alphia Possamai-Inesedy
Western Sydney University has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of a Suburban Study Hub in Fairfield.
The announcement was made at the University’s Fairfield Connect, by Federal Minister for Education and Member for Blaxland, the Hon. Jason Clare MP, and Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy and Member for McMahon, the Hon. Chris Bowen MP.
They were accompanied by Western Sydney University Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Maryanne Dever, and Pro Vice-Chancellor, Student Success, Professor Alphia Possamai-Inesedy.
The University said the Study Hub, which has received $3.5 million in additional funding to expand the delivery of curriculum and enhance support for students, will be a game-changer for the Fairfield community – making higher education more accessible and bringing it closer to where they live and work.
“Western Sydney University warmly welcomes this important announcement and the Minister and Government’s commitment to the people of Fairfield and South Western Sydney,” said Professor Dever.
“Increasing the numbers of students participating in higher education and making university study more accessible in outer metropolitan areas is a critical part of our University’s mission.
“This University has a long, proud tradition of opening up higher education for the people of Western Sydney and we are well placed to help the Government achieve this important goal.
“For the past nine months, the University’s own Fairfield Connect has embedded us in Fairfield, overcoming together, the educational challenges facing local communities.
“The University has laid the critical groundwork for the Suburban Study Hub, which will help ensure Western Sydney residents get the same opportunities as others across Sydney and Australia.”
Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Maryanne Dever; Senator Tony Sheldon; Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy and Member for McMahon, the Hon. Chris Bowen MP; Federal Minister for Education and Member for Blaxland, the Hon. Jason Clare MP; Tu Le, Labor Candidate for Fowler; and Member for Fairfield, Dr David Saliba MP
Census data (ABS HEAP 2021) shows that Fairfield is a Local Government Area (LGA) with some of the lowest rates of higher education participation and attainment in Sydney and lags behind the national target for post-school qualifications.
“With a population of more than 209,000, Fairfield LGA is easily one of Sydney’s most vibrant, dynamic and diverse communities,” said Professor Dever.
“Yet it faces significant challenges when it comes to the rates of higher education participation and attainment. This is compounded by various socio-economic factors as well as the growing digital divide across Western Sydney, which we know is a significant barrier to participation for many learners in socio-economically disadvantaged communities.
“Fairfield’s highest level of education attainment rate is equal to the lowest in Sydney, with only 11 per cent of the resident population with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Its population is also one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse, with more than half of residents born overseas and just over 69 per cent using a language other than English at home.
“Fairfield has a long history of supporting refugees and humanitarian entrants, with refugees and humanitarian status residents accounting for 7.8 per cent of the population. These individuals face even more acute challenges, including trauma, disrupted education, and language barriers, which can hinder their ability to access and succeed in tertiary education.”
Professor Alphia Possamai-Inesedy said the new Suburban Study Hub will build on the foundational work of Fairfield Connect, and continue listening to and working with the local community.
“We established Fairfield Connect first and foremost as a resource for the community – one where they can collaborate on initiatives that address the challenges that serve as a barrier to education,” said Professor Possamai-Inesedy.
“Western Sydney University stands ready to leverage our expertise, resources, and partnerships to guarantee the success of the new Study Hub, which we believe can serve as a scalable model for alleviating educational disparities in suburban and metropolitan communities nationwide,” she said.
ENDS
14 February 2025
Amanda Whibley, Manager, Media and Public Relations
Photo credit: Wendy Chung
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