- Published:
- Friday 9 October 2015
Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert has today visited Deakin University’s Burwood Campus to “turn the first sod” at the institution’s new student accommodation facility.
The new facility is part of a three year transformation of Deakin’s Burwood Campus and includes upgrades to several existing buildings, the construction of new buildings and upgrading facilitates.
Work on the new $65 million student accommodation building, which will accommodate more than 500 students, will begin in December and will create 150 jobs during construction.
It has been designed with the student experience at the front of mind and will feature a range of social spaces including a multipurpose function room, common area, study rooms and open breakout spaces throughout the building.
Quality on-campus student accommodation is important to improve access for international, regional and rural students and will help alleviate the pressure on student housing in the surrounding Burwood residential area.
The Andrews Labor Government is committed to transforming Victoria into the Education State and is working with Victoria’s universities to achieve this.
Deakin University contributes considerably to the Victorian economy, particularly through international education services. International education is worth $5.3 billion to the Victorian economy, with 160,000 international students studying in Victoria at any one time.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert
“Deakin University is a fabulous and rapidly growing institution. This new project will help meet the demand for accommodation and will act as a hub for students.”
“International students look for quality accommodation when considering what institute to study at, and this $65 million accommodation building will add to the student experience and the engagement of international students.”
Quotes attributable to Deakin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander
“Deakin is committed to providing our students with the best experience possible during their university years, and this is reflected in the fact that we have performed first in Victoria for student satisfaction in the Australian Graduate Survey for the past five years running.”
“We are also proud to have been Victoria’s first regional university when we began 41 years ago. Our commitment to the communities we serve is as strong as ever today, which is why this new accommodation at our Burwood campus is so important. It will provide students from across Australia and the world with a vibrant, modern on-campus community experience, while they get to experience Melbourne life on their doorstep.”