By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
CASEY mayor Sam Aziz has welcomed Federation University Australia’s successful bid to open up at Monash University’s Berwick campus next year, despite backing a rival bidder.
Cr Aziz, who had publicly supported a submission from Charles Darwin University, said Casey was “happy to work with any university provided it meets the needs of the region”.
“I’m sure Monash University would have gone through an exhaustive process to find the right candidate.
“I’m reasonably confident that a university with a more expansive outlook can achieve the things that Casey Council will like to see.”
Monash University had treated the campus as an “afterthought” compared to its Clayton and Caulfield campuses, Cr Aziz said.
Cr Aziz told Star News in May that Charles Darwin University had been an enthusiastic supporter of his hope for an elite business school along the lines of Harvard Business School.
It would help drive the council’s vision as a leader in economic development, he said.
Federation University, which is based in western Victoria and Gippsland, has announced it will offer up to 15 degree courses in business, education, nursing, IT and environmental and veterinary science in Berwick in 2017.
When asked about opening a Harvard-like business school, Federation University spokesman Matthew Freeman said its business programs “consistently rate highly”.
“We endeavour to maintain our high-quality programs in Berwick.”
In a statement, Vice-Chancellor Professor David Battersby said the university intended to be the sole university at the site in 2018.
“We stand proud of the excellent employment prospects and careers of our graduates and look forward to welcoming the next generation of FedUni students to the Berwick campus.
“The university will build on the great work at our Ballarat, Wimmera and Gippsland campuses as we create a strong and vibrant campus at Berwick.”
Federation University will move onto the site, pending federal government approval.
