The University of Newcastle, Australia

The University of Newcastle will tonight officially open its new Sydney CBD presence. Offering postgraduate studies in business and accountancy, and English language studies, the Sydney presence has been purpose-built within space on Bathurst Street.

The first cohort of students commenced studies in August this year and is expected to complete studies in May 2010.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nick Saunders, said the Sydney campus was particularly attractive to international students.

"Newcastle has been delivering postgraduate education for more than 23 years and was one of the first universities in Australia to offer a Master of Business Administration program.

"While we have many international students in Newcastle, there are those who wish to live in Sydney but also study at our University. This campus gives them the opportunity.

"We are delighted to have a Sydney presence, which adds to our campuses in Newcastle, on the Central Coast, at Port Macquarie, in Singapore and in Hong Kong."

Forty-eight students are currently enrolled in the Master of Business and Master of Professional Accounting programs, with a further 20 enrolled in ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses).

Students are from China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Australia. The Sydney presence features wireless internet throughout, a library, computer laboratory, study areas, lecture theatres, on-site teaching and learning support and fully integrated audiovisual facilities for video conferencing.

The University of Newcastle Sydney presence will be officially opened tonight, Tuesday 13 October, at 6pm, on Level 12, 60 Bathurst Street, Sydney.

The University's Vice-Chancellor Professor Nick Saunders and Chancellor Professor Trevor Waring will join Newcastle alumni Ms Patricia Forsythe (former NSW MLC), Ms Emily Powys and Ms Alison Hawkins, along with more than 100 guests, for the official opening.

Electronic images of the Sydney presence are available on request.