Access to study resources is now a whole lot easier for students at the University of Newcastle Central Coast campus and TAFE NSW - Hunter Institute (Ourimbah).

No longer do students have to be sitting in the library or a computer lab to access the internet or email thanks to the 22 wireless access points now installed across the campus. Pro Vice-Chancellor and Director Central Coast campus, Professor Stephen Crump, said the boost in IT services would make access to study fuss-free for local students.

"The idea of building a room so 30 people can sit and work at a desk is a 19th century concept," Professor Crump said.

"The way young people think and learn has changed. They now expect to walk onto campus and open a wireless connection to the web as they do at home, a friend's place or in a cafe."

"Thanks to the new wireless environment at the Central Coast campus, they can actively engage in their learning in a way that frees them from the having to be in a lab or a classroom to access study resources."

The Wireless@Ourimbah project had small beginnings as a pilot study in the campus library allowing wireless access to the Internet and email service network in a secure, encrypted environment.

"The success of the pilot paved the way for the campus-wide rollout and over time the University will continue to upgrade the wireless network to ensure first-class access to IT services for our students," Professor Crump said.

All staff and students at the University of Newcastle Central Coast campus and TAFE NSW - Hunter Institute (Ourimbah) can now access the wireless network from their laptop computers.

The wireless launch coincides with the new Central Coast campus website going live. The new site www.newcastle.edu.au/locations/central-coast/ provides easy-to-navigate access to information about locally-based University resources and services and the programs offered at the campus.

Staff and students will 'Go Wireless' today during a BBQ celebrating the rollout of the new network and the refreshed Central Coast website.

Photo opportunity: 11:30am today, Wednesday 14 May 2008, in the grassed quadrangle at the Central Coast campus (Ourimbah).

Check out the new Central Coast website at www.newcastle.edu.au/locations/central-coast/