Western Sydney University launches innovative Study Hub, Fairfield Connect, enhancing accessibility to higher education

Left to right: Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy and Member for McMahon, the Hon. Chris Bowen MP; Western Sydney University Chancellor Professor Jennifer Westacott AO; Federal Minister for Education and Member for Blaxland, the Hon. Jason Clare MP; and Western Sydney University Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Barney Glover AO.

Western Sydney University is proud to launch Fairfield Connect, a cutting-edge study hub that will support students and the community of Western Sydney, enhancing accessibility to higher education.

Launched alongside the release of the Australian Universities Accord Final Report in the Fairfield CBD today, Fairfield Connect responds to one of the report’s pivotal recommendations to boost the number of university Study Hubs in regional and outer metropolitan areas, making higher education more accessible for all Australians.

Western Sydney University recognises the expanded potential that partnership brings to the Fairfield region. Partnering with Western on Fairfield Connect is the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and the University of NSW (UNSW). The three universities are committed to working together through Fairfield Connect, to boost higher education attainment in Western Sydney – one of the most socially, economically and culturally diverse regions in Australia.

The hub will offer students and the community access to facilities including computers, high-speed internet, and advanced video-conferencing capabilities. Western Sydney University will deliver valuable resources and support services for adult literacy, career development, and employability enhancement.

Chancellor, Professor Jennifer Westacott AO and Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Barney Glover AO made the announcement joined by Federal Minister for Education and Member for Blaxland, the Hon. Jason Clare MP, and Professor Mary O’Kane AC, Chair of the Accord panel.

Western Sydney University’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Barney Glover AO, said the launch of Fairfield Connect is an important step towards providing more opportunities and greater accessibility for the communities of Western Sydney.

“Fairfield Connect brings cutting-edge facilities and technology close to where students live and work. Situated in the heart of Fairfield, the facility is adding to Western Sydney University’s already strong presence across the region, including our world-class high-rise Bankstown City campus,” said Professor Glover.

“Designed to promote lifelong learning and community and business engagement, Fairfield Connect will be a hub for collaboration and innovation, including interaction with Western Sydney University’s leading business technology incubator Launch Pad, which will be embedded in the facility.”

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Chancellor, Professor Jennifer Westacott AO, said Fairfield Connect will upskill talented and hard-working local students to access high-skilled jobs.

“With Western Sydney University’s focus on adult literacy programs, flexible study options, and accelerated access to further education, Fairfield Connect will empower Fairfield residents to seize high-skilled jobs and contribute to Australia's future economy,” said Professor Westacott.

“Regional and suburban learning hubs have an important role to play in increasing educational attainment to drive national productivity. With a long history of opening up opportunity for our region, the University is proud to boost participation in areas of Western Sydney, particularly among diverse student groups.”

UTS Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Andrew Parfitt said that from UTS’s perspective, Fairfield Connect represented an important opportunity to strengthen UTS’s already deep ties in the community and contribute to UTS’s efforts to support people from Western Sydney into higher education.

“One of UTS’s most successful widening participation initiatives is our U@Uni Academy, which has Fairfield and South-Western Sydney communities at its core. We have fantastic relationships with the local high schools and we’re excited about the prospect of working in Fairfield Connect to expand these collaborations.”

“UTS is also keen to explore expanding our work with small to medium businesses based in and around Fairfield Connect to reduce barriers SMEs face in investing in emerging trends and innovation and we look forward to working with our partner universities on this,” he said.

UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Attila Brungs, welcomed Fairfield Connect.

“Fairfield Connect will increase access for all students, enabling them to study out of the hub as well as on the UNSW campuses. The new facility will further assist UNSW to assure success as well as access for low-SES students, ensuring its success rate remains among the highest in Australia,” said Professor Brungs.

Fairfield Connect encompasses over 1,000m² of learning and collaborative spaces. Situated conveniently on the ground floor of Fairfield City Central at 54 Smart Street, this vibrant hub offers a diverse array of student learning environments, including an interactive technology-enabled learning studio.

It will foster a strong emphasis on engaging with the community through a number of the universities’ programs including the Launch Pad business incubator, a future industries discovery centre, Western’s Academy program for high achievers and its pathways initiative, The College as well as UTS’s U@Uni Academy program. Additionally, the facility features versatile teaching spaces and meeting rooms that are available for community use.

Fairfield Connect will formally open to students and the community mid April 2024.

ENDS

25 February 2024

Ali Sardyga, Acting Manager, Media and Public Relations