Official opening of Curtin University Joondalup

10/5/94

A new international university campus - planned to cater for some 3,000 students from both Western Australia and overseas - has been opened officially in Joondalup.

Education Minister Norman Moore said today the Australian Institute for University Studies (AIUS) - Curtin University Joondalup campus was a new concept for Australia.

Mr Moore today unveiled a plaque marking the official launch of the AIUS-Curtin campus and announced plans for an extensive building program, starting next year.

The Minister said the development was a truly international campus modelled on private university colleges which were common in Malaysia, Singapore and Japan.

The AIUS - one of the first private tertiary institutions in Australia - was backed by one of Malaysia's corporate giants, the MUI Group, which had interests in banking, finance, insurance, manufacturing and education.

"This is a strong example of the private sector becoming more directly involved with education and training institutions, to ensure students receive qualifications most needed by industry," Mr Moore said.

"This logical trend will increase and bodes well for students receiving the most appropriate qualifications and being able to find appropriate employment."

The Minister said the international atmosphere of the campus would strengthen the ability of students to pursue careers in the rapidly growing South-East Asian area.

"It will also provide additional opportunities for local students to study in the northern suburbs - an area experiencing one of Australia's most rapid population growths - and will also contribute to ensuring future goodwill between Australia and countries in our region," he said.

The campus currently has a student population of about 650 - 20 per cent Australian students and the rest from a range of other countries.  The ultimate plan is for a fifty-fifty split.

Students at the campus currently study commerce and pharmacy and a variety of other courses are planned for next year.

Media contact:  Ross Storey  321 1444  222 9595

Lisa Manolas - Curtin University Public Affairs - 351 2793