University joins ground-breaking EducateAT Parramatta Alliance
The University of Sydney today joined an Australia-first alliance of government and universities to cement the City of Parramatta as a global destination for educational excellence.
The ground-breaking EducateAT Parramatta Alliance unites the City of Parramatta and universities that have a presence in Parramatta to advocate for, and attract talent to, the centre of global Sydney.
At a historic ceremony at Western Sydney University’s Parramatta City campus, Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer signed the EducateAT Parramatta Charter along with the University of Sydney, Western Sydney University, UNSW Sydney, University of New England, Swinburne University of Technology and the Western Sydney Local Health District.
“The evolution of Parramatta over the last decade has been truly exciting and we are very proud of our long history in the area”, said University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Stephen Garton.
“This partnership complements our recent framework agreement with the NSW Government to develop a world-class multi-disciplinary university campus in Parramatta/Westmead and will ensure that our vision to cement Parramatta as one of the largest health, education, research and training precincts in Australia is realised.”
Cr Dwyer said Parramatta was known for its world-class universities and the Westmead Health Precinct, with an education sector worth $1.6 billion.
“This powerful alliance has one key goal: to help Parramatta become the best city in Australia for students to study and succeed.
"EducateAT Parramatta is our shared vision for Sydney’s Central River City – a thriving hub of academic excellence, jobs growth and opportunity for the people of Western Sydney and the world,” Cr Dwyer said.
Under the Charter, alliance members will develop a range of projects to: position Parramatta as a destination for educational excellence; advocate for more affordable student accommodation and better transport options; link students with industry; and improve the City’s liveability and sustainability.
Foundation members sign the EducateAT Parramatta Alliance Charter today. Left to right: Swinburne University of Technology Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global & Community Engagement) Interim Dr Andrew Smith, Western Sydney University Vice-Chancellor Professor Barney Glover AO, University of Sydney Vice-Principal (External Relations) Tania Rhodes-Taylor, City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Bob Dwyer, City of Parramatta Council CEO Brett Newman, UNSW Sydney Dean of Engineering Professor Stephen Foster, University of New England Sydney Director Robert Field, and Western Sydney Local Health District Acting Executive Director of Medical Services & Director of Education, Research and Education Network Professor Peter Hockey. Credit: Western Sydney University/Sally Tsoutas
Key facts
- The City of Parramatta’s education and training sector is worth up to $1.6 billion and employs more than 11,500 people.
- The City is home to five universities including the University of Sydney, Western Sydney University, University of New England, Swinburne University of Technology and Charles Sturt University. UNSW Sydney will also open a local campus this year.
- More than 25,000 university students are enrolled across the City’s campuses.
- A $500 million University of Sydney campus will open in North Parramatta by 2030.
- Western Sydney University and UNSW Sydney are delivering a $280 million engineering hub in the Parramatta CBD, which is set to open in 2021.
- Western Sydney University is also funding and delivering, in a joint venture with Charter Hall, the $350 million Innovation Quarter in Westmead, which is expected to open in 2022.
- The City has Australia’s largest concentration of health, education and research facilities at Westmead.
- The NSW Department of Education relocated to Parramatta in 2018, bringing 1,800 jobs into the City.
