Tertiary students bring buzz back to Parramatta CBD

The City of Parramatta is teeming with energy as local and international students return to the City for face-to-face classes after more than two years of remote learning. 

“We had more than 25,000 students undertaking their tertiary studies in our city before the pandemic. With in-person classes resuming, it’s great to see so many students returning to Parramatta and making the most of what our city has to offer,” City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Donna Davis said.

“As the home of six universities plus the Westmead Health Precinct, Parramatta is a respected academic and training hub that welcomes students from all over NSW, Australia and the world.”

Western Sydney University Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Barney Glover AO said the University is delighted to welcome students and staff back to campus and the return to a vibrant and engaging community atmosphere. 

“With thousands of students and staff from our Parramatta City campus and new Parramatta Engineering Innovation Hub all studying, working and living in the heart of the CBD, we are pleased to be working with our EducateAT Parramatta Alliance partners to reinvigorate Parramatta as a thriving ‘Smart City’ – a truly world-class destination for education, work and research,” Professor Glover said.

The $300 million Parramatta Engineering Innovation Hub is a joint venture between Western Sydney University and UNSW Sydney. The Hub will house students studying courses in engineering, architecture, industrial design and entrepreneurship.

Swinburne University student Patricia Mercado said she loves studying in Parramatta.

“The location is so convenient for me and there’s so much to do in Parramatta. When I’m on a study break, I can relax and enjoy the great outdoors or meet up with my friends for a cheap meal and movie,” she said.

In 2021, the City of Parramatta established the ground-breaking EducateAT Parramatta Alliance to cement its status as a global destination for educational excellence. Alliance members include Western Sydney University, University of Sydney, UNSW Sydney, University of New England, Swinburne University of Technology, and the Western Sydney Local Health District. 

KEY FACTS

The City of Parramatta’s education and training sector is worth up to $1.6 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.   The City is home to six universities including Western Sydney University, UNSW, University of Sydney, University of New England, Swinburne University of Technology and Charles Sturt University.  More than 25,000 domestic and international university students were enrolled across the City’s campuses in 2020. The City has Australia’s largest concentration of health, education and research facilities at Westmead.