Landmark agreement between Curtin University & Canning College

27/8/98

A new bridge into university study has been created by a landmark agreement between Curtin University of Technology and the adjacent Canning College in Bentley.

The arrangement, announced today by Education Minister Colin Barnett, signals the start of planned on-going collaboration between the neighbouring institutions covering a range of joint activities for both international and local students.

Mr Barnett said the underlying principle of the relationship was to link Western Australia's secondary and tertiary institutions in a collaborative way where best practice was paramount.

"The agreement will allow students to enrol in either Curtin University-accredited bachelor or diploma courses at Canning College and then provide them with a natural progression into a university environment," he said.

"The initiative complements Canning College's current pathways to university programs and will be particularly beneficial to overseas students or those with lower English levels, as they will receive greater attention through smaller classes and more tutorial time."

Curtin University Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Lesley Parker said that initially, the agreement would be extended to teaching first year business units to international students.

"From next February, international students will be able to enrol at Canning College in Bachelor of Commerce or Diploma of Commerce courses and on successful completion of their first year, they will enter the second year of Curtin University's Bachelor of Commerce course," Professor Parker said.

Canning College Principal Tom Grace said the agreement would assist overseas students to properly prepare for university life.

"The initiative will increase opportunities for both formal and informal links with Curtin University," Mr Grace said.

"In the future, the range of courses should be extended to include other faculties, including arts, computing and science and will be able to be offered to local students as well."

Canning College was established by the Education Department of WA in 1982 to provide graduation studies for local and international students over the age of 17.

The college has an annual enrolment of around 1,400 local Tertiary Entrance Examination and Flying Start students, 220 international students and some 6,000 students in short courses, such as computing and business studies.

Curtin University is regarded as one of the most successful Australian universities of technology and currently provides 365 undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral courses to around 25,000 students, including more than 5,000 from 90 countries. As well, Curtin University's offshore programs are offered at more than 15 partner institutions.

Media contacts: Justine Whittome, Office of the Education Minister, (08) 9222 9699

Val Raubenheimer, Curtin University of Technology, (08) 9266 4236

Tom Grace, Canning College, (08) 9458 9644