University of Sydney launches education facilities in Westmead Health Precinct

Launch of the University of Sydney’s learning spaces in Block K (Central Acute Services Building). In attendance Ms Belinda Hutchinson AC Chancellor; Professor Stephen Garton AM Vice-Chancellor and Principal; Mr Richard Alcock AO Chair Western Sydney Local Health District and Hon Dr Geoff Lee.

NSW Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Dr Geoff Lee recently joined the University of Sydney in celebrating the launch of dedicated teaching spaces in the new Central Acute Services Building at Westmead Hospital.

The University of Sydney officially opened its first university-hospital space across multiple hospital levels, which includes ‘hybrid flexible’ teaching spaces for in-person and remote learning with world-class audio-visual systems.

In addition to the dedicated University spaces, the 14-storey building includes two new emergency departments (one for adults and one for children), digital operating theatres and more than 300 patient rooms.

It is a partnership between the University of Sydney and government collaborators the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Western Sydney Local Health District and Health Infrastructure.

Graeme Loy, chief executive of Western Sydney Local Health District thanked the University of Sydney for its commitment to the Westmead Health Precinct.

We are pleased to have the University of Sydney as a valued partner in the Westmead Health Precinct and this amazing space further strengthens the opportunities to collaborate in research, innovation and education,” he said.

The University of Sydney has invested $88 million into the new hospital facility as part of the $1 billion Westmead Redevelopment Project to transform Western Sydney into a global health and education hub.

The Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education and Member for Parramatta, the Hon. Dr Geoff Lee, and Western Sydney Local Health District chair Richard Alcock AO joined the University of Sydney Chancellor Belinda Hutchinson AC and Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Stephen Garton AM for the official opening. Professor Robyn Ward AM, Executive Dean and Pro Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Medicine and Health, presided as master of ceremonies to mark the occasion.

Minister Lee welcomed the University of Sydney’s contribution to developing the new state-of-the-art building at the heart of the Westmead Health Precinct.

“I commend the University of Sydney for its long history with Westmead dating back some half-a-century – we look forward to continued collaboration with the University in a shared vision in developing Western Sydney into a global health and education destination.”

The University of Sydney’s Professor Stephen Garton AM Vice-Chancellor and Ms Belinda Hutchinson AC Chancellor.

Unveiling a plaque celebrating the University’s learning spaces in the new hospital building, Chancellor Belinda Hutchinson said the University had not faltered in its commitment to the development of Westmead communities and beyond.

“This is now one of the largest health, education, research and training precincts in Australia; our precinct partner collaboration is key to our successful activity at Westmead,” she said.

Westmead Health Precinct is one of the largest health, education, research and training precincts in Australia, employing more than 18,000 people across the biomedical, health and life sciences fields.