The University of Newcastle took one step closer to opening a Gosford campus this week, after the NSW Government announced it was its preferred partner in the delivery of the Mann Street learning hub.

The University of Newcastle’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky joined government ministers in Gosford on Monday (11 April) to welcome the news.

“We are delighted to be selected to partner with the NSW Government to realise our shared vision for the creation of a new University of Newcastle campus in the heart of Gosford,” Professor Zelinsky said.

“We know young people on the Central Coast want more opportunities to study at university without leaving the region, and we know that businesses need qualified staff to help them thrive. 

“Our new campus in the heart of Gosford will meet both of those needs.”

The announcement is part of a collaboration between the University of Newcastle, the federal and state governments.

In 2019, the federal government injected $18 million into the project – which the university has committed to at least matching. 

“We expect to see more than 1,000 students studying at the Gosford campus once complete, with this figure growing to around 3,000 students located in Gosford over the next decade,” Professor Zelinsky said.

“We’ll offer courses to support the development of a health, innovation and education campus and will work with business and industry in the area to identify skill needs and gaps, and to provide work integrated learning opportunities for students.”

His words follow the University’s commitment to expanding its work in the Gosford CBD, in line with a landmark Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Central Coast Regional Development Corporation in 2012.

“We are proud to have been on the Central Coast for more than 30 years at our Ourimbah Campus, educating more than 40,000 students during that time.”

Professor Zelinsky says he hopes the Gosford expansion will be seen as an opportunity for young people to complete their tertiary education without having to leave the region.

“In partnership, we see an incredible opportunity for people on the Central Coast that will activate the Central Coast Education and Employment Precinct and further revitalise the Gosford CBD. 

“Our vision for this campus is underpinned by our University’s values and we are excited by the opportunities it will create to increase educational participation rates, generate new jobs, support emerging industries, develop the health services workforce, and foster innovation and entrepreneurship.

“We look forward to working with business – the Chamber of Commerce and Business NSW – our partners the Local Health District, with TAFE NSW, and with the NSW and federal governments to open this new chapter for the Coast.”

Design work on the Gosford expansion will now start.

For more stories like this:

• University of Newcastle partners with BHP
• University of Newcastle’s $5 million research windfall
• VC Zelinsky renews his contract

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