$9.5 million funding announced for FedUni Centre for Business Excellence in Ballarat
Ballarat will be the home of a new state-of-the-art business centre, thanks to the State Government’s Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund.
The new Federation University Business Centre of Excellence site will be located on Lydiard Street, and expected to open in late 2022.
The project was made possible through a $9.5 million government grant and is set to boost regional education, skills and innovation as well as kickstart the University Town Precinct in the Ballarat CBD.
Federation University will modernise its existing Business School by enhancing the SMB campus through the refurbishment of the former School of Mines heritage building and the former Carlton United Breweries site.
IBM Watson Internet of Things (IoT) will provide in-kind support through technology and expertise to help establish the facility, which will provide access to cutting-edge technology, research and learning.
The facility will feature a range of learning and teaching spaces, facilities for researchers and spaces for community and industry engagement.
The project is one of many pitches from universities to the Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund, which was developed in response to the significant impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the sector.
Minister for Higher Education Gayle Tierney welcomed the announcement saying;
“We are proud to be investing in this exciting project that will boost local jobs, grow the economy and strengthen Ballarat’s profile as a leading innovative city.”
Federation University Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Duncan Bentley;
“The creation of the Federation University Business Centre of Excellence is a great example of universities working with government and industry to ensure regional areas have highly skilled workers to fill high value jobs.”
SED has provided support to the development of Fed Universities Central Ballarat site over several years including completing the original Masterplan, ongoing planning support and the development of business cases and economic impact assessments supporting specific project developments including the relocation of the business school to Central Ballarat.
