Curtin University has opened a new on-campus pathway building for international students that the institution’s leadership has described as a “game changer” for students.
The new Curtin College building, operated by Navitas, was opened by Western Australia’s minister for International Education, David Templeman.
The event in Perth was live-streamed to Navitas offices in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Beijing, and to an event in Thimpu, Bhutan. Agents representing Curtin University and Navitas from Southeast Asia and South Asia also joined remotely.
Located in the university’s industry-connected Exchange precinct, the new centre continues the long-standing relationship between the global education provider and the university.
“The Curtin Exchange precinct is a fantastic concept and brings many exciting elements of Curtin University together in one place, creating a lively hub for students to study, work and enjoy campus life,” minister Templeman said.
Curtin University vice-chancellor Harlene Hayne noted that by having the new Curtin Exchange precinct “right on their doorstep”, Curtin College students will not only benefit from the “unique and personalised introduction to university life” the college offers, but will also “enjoy the many benefits of on-campus living with retail facilities” on the site.
“This will be a game changer for Curtin College students,” she added.
Over 22 years, Navitas has supported 13,000 graduates from more than 60 countries to study at Curtin University, Western Australia’s largest university, with close to 60,000 students.
“Our exceptional new facilities and engaging learning and teaching spaces will further enhance the experience for our students and mark the start of an exciting new chapter in our partnership with the university,” said Navitas Group chief executive officer Scott Jones.
“Our exceptional new facilities and engaging spaces will further enhance the experience for our student”
The multi-faceted relationship with Curtin University includes integrated marketing and managing its overseas campus in Singapore. It runs similar operations for Murdoch University Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and for the UK’s Lancaster University campus in Leipzig, Germany.
The first cohort of international students are expected at the new international college that Navitas runs at Keele University in the UK in September.
College director and principal for the centre at Curtin in Australia Sven Schottmann added that the “warm and welcoming space, designed by education technologists and informed by teaching experience across the Navitas network of colleges, will enhance learning and facilitate collaboration”.
“The entire Curtin College community will thrive in this new environment in the heart of the Curtin Exchange precinct,” Schottmann commented.
