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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-10-14 Daily Xml
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PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE: UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON—TORRENS BUILDING ACCOMMODATION FITOUT

Ms CICCARELLO (Norwood) (11:41): I move:

That the 332nd report of the committee, entitled University College London—Torrens Building Accommodation Fitout, be noted.

The University College London has established a branch campus in Adelaide from which it will deliver a master of science, energy and resources from 2010. The degree will be the first British degree granted in Australia. It will also be an Australian accredited qualification and will be delivered only in Adelaide.

Santos is providing $2 million from a $10 million contribution as seed funding to establish a separate research institute, the International Energy Policy Institute. University College London is required to provide matching funds to establish this institute. The University College London School of Energy and Resources Australia will be provided with essential administrative and teaching space comparable to that provided for Carnegie Mellon University in the Torrens Building at 220 Victoria Square. This will involve the fitout of office accommodation, and lecture theatres and tutorial rooms of approximately 1,030 square metres at an estimated cost of $4,001,000, excluding GST.

Places will be offered for up to 60 full-time master students and a small number of doctoral students. The degree will be modularised so that part-time and working professionals can undertake accredited executive education programs, which will be assessed and count towards a graduate certificate, graduate diploma and/or masters level award. Students in the second year of the masters degree will undertake industry placement in energy companies throughout the world to solve problems relating to energy issues.

Built in 1881 as government offices, the Torrens Building use by government has been continuous, with only limited internal fabric changes, the only major alteration being to the central courtyard and services. The cultural significance of the building is recognised by its inclusion on the South Australian Heritage Register. Due to the historic nature of the building, it is not proposed to remove any existing fabric without careful consideration and the application of good conservation principles.

The state government is actively encouraging foreign universities to establish a presence in South Australia as part of a program to attract international institutions, which is in line with South Australia's International Education Plan 2008-2014. The Premier must be commended for his initiative in this area to actively encourage the participation of these universities, South Australia being the only place in Australia where they have a presence.

The University College London is one of the world's leading universities. In fact, just this week, I think, it was listed as No. 4 of the top 200 universities in the world, after Harvard, Cambridge and Yale, and it is now listed ahead of Oxford University. So, it is truly significant—

Ms Simmons: Cambridge has always been better than Oxford.

Ms CICCARELLO: Yes, okay. This will be its first campus overseas, making it the highest ranking UK university to set up an overseas satellite campus. The development of the partnership with the government of South Australia and Santos represents a dynamic response to the current challenges of international higher education, as more of the world's leading academic institutions recognise the need to operate globally to address world issues such as energy use.

The amount of $3,820,000 of the capital costs has been provided by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet via funding obtained through the 2008-09 budget, whilst the residual $280,000 will be absorbed from the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure capital projects funding. The net present value of the business case (including the contributions of both Santos and the state) is $12 million over nine years. Construction is expected to be completed by December 2009. Significant benefits associated with this proposal include:

co-location with the Carnegie Mellon University and Cranfield University will create an International University Precinct within the Torrens Building;

close business/working arrangements between the three universities to enhance the diverse international university community, making the International University Precinct a unique entity in its own right.

University College London will build on the capacity of existing universities in the key areas of energy and resources. It will foster further international linkages in the energy and resources sectors, which is important for the development of the state's capacity to deal effectively with these important issues. It will also build on the government's initiative to attract more foreign students to Adelaide, particularly in relation to the national international student market, where the government has a goal of doubling the state's share of international students by 2014.

In addition, last week the Duke of Kent came here to open the Royal Institution. This institution has been operating in London for a couple of hundred years and South Australia has been chosen as the only other place in the world where the Royal Institution operates. Again, it shows the significance of Adelaide in being able to provide top-class education in South Australia.

Based upon the evidence it has considered, pursuant to section 12C of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1991, the Public Works Committee reports to parliament that it recommends the proposed public works.

The Hon. P.L. WHITE (Taylor) (11:46): I would like to support the member for Norwood in her motion regarding this particular public work examined by the Public Works Committee. The Torrens Building accommodation fitout to accommodate the arrival of University College London is a project to be applauded. As the member for Norwood outlined, this particular public work will enable the University College to offer in Adelaide the first British degree on Australian soil.

This follows a number of achievements in bringing international campuses of renowned overseas universities to Adelaide, an initiative by our Premier, the Hon. Mike Rann. Bringing the first one—Carnegie Mellon, about four years ago—to South Australia necessitated a change in federal legislation which was spearheaded by our Premier.

The advantage brought to our fine state by having these university campuses located in Adelaide is immense. With this particular campus, Santos is contributing in a very admirable way. Our largest publicly-listed company is contributing to a new institute (the International Energy Policy Institute) which will be based in Adelaide. With all these campuses of international institutions we get an enormous benefit, not only from the students who come to our state but from the exposure and prestige of the degrees awarded to our local students who study at these institutions.

There are immediate benefits to our state and our student population but also benefits when these students stay in South Australia, stay in Australia or return to other countries with a good impression of their student experience in Adelaide and with links and networks that may, indeed, benefit us as a community in the future. I commend this particular public work and very warmly welcome the establishment of the University College London here in Adelaide.

Motion carried.

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