BY JAMES CARTER
Avondale College at Cooranbong has become the first new university in Australia in almost a decade.
The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency announced the change in classification as the faith-based institution achieved requirements under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Petrie says the new status will provide the institution with new opportunities.
"We focus very much on applied research, on research that makes a genuine difference on communities so we are looking to further strengthen that.
"It will give us further opportunities to collaborate with other institutions, to continue to strengthen our learning and teaching portfolio and stronger connections in our local community," Mr Petrie said.
Avondale first applied for university status in 1994 and worked to broaden its teaching and research profile.
The now-university was established in 1987 and is a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist system of universities and colleges worldwide.
Avondale has more than 1200 students studying across four disciplines and two campuses at Cooranbong and in Sydney at the Adventist Hospital.
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| Pictured: Students at Avondale College. Image: Supplied. |
