DEAKIN University and Gordon Institute of TAFE have unveiled plans to offer dozens of tertiary and training courses in Wyndham by the start of next year.
Deakin has confirmed it is looking for properties to rent or buy in Werribee and Hoppers Crossing.
Vice-chancellor Jane den Hollander said the university was establishing a presence in Wyndham so it could bring higher education options to the area’s rapidly growing population.
“The south-west of Melbourne is increasing its demand for higher education with a 30 per cent increase in students enrolling in university over the last two years and an anticipated annual population growth of 6.2 per cent,” she said.
Professor den Hollander said Deakin would offer degrees in business, teaching and childhood education at its Wyndham facility.
“For a lot of mature-age people who have left school, have had a job, had their children, these are often the kind of things they want to do — get a business degree or become a teacher,” she said.
“We’ll provide those on the ground at the learning centre, but anyone in Wyndham can do almost any of our courses online.”
Gordon TAFE will offer some certificate and diploma courses at the new centre, including business, accounting, agriculture, horticulture, community services, construction, engineering, education, hairdressing, science and sustainability.
The news follows last month’s announcement that Ballarat University will offer a bachelor of teaching degree at Wyndham Community and Education Centre from next year.
