Stage 1 of Greater Curtin is already underway—hear all about it at a WA Works sundowner on 4 April.
Curtin University Chief Operating Officer Ian Callahan will outline the opportunities for WA businesses, with Cisco’s Tom Goerke and Woodside’s Wendy Gibbons also sharing their successes from partnering with the respected university.
The Greater Curtin Master Plan outlines the $500 million development of the campus into an innovation precinct including accommodation, retail, bus interchange and public open space and sets its direction for the next 15 years.
Project General Manager Tim Urquhart told the CCI’s WA Works magazine the campus will be highly-urbanised by 2031 as it adapts to the changing face of education and what students want.
“Previously it was all about the course. These days it’s all about the student experience; how they’re interacting, what are future employment opportunities, how are they business ready, how are they collaborating with creative thinkers—all those sorts of things are how universities are trying to put themselves in a place for the 21st Century,” he says.
“Curtin University is the biggest employer in Perth with 4000 people. It has notionally about a $1b turnover on a per annum basis covering teaching, research, education, professional services.
“Tertiary education is the third biggest sector in the Australian economy so that in its own right says it’s hugely important in terms of what it generates and the employment opportunities it creates.”
Construction will start in 2018 and will see the establishment of student accommodation and an apartment-style hotel.
It will follow more than $100m worth of construction completed in 2016, including the five-storey Curtin Medical School—built by Georgiou—and the three-storey Agriculture Research Facility, built by Doric.
The sundowner offers ample opportunities for networking with the major players.
