Deakin University has appointed a long time educator as its new director for the Warrnambool campus.
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Koroit’s Alistair McCosh will work towards growing the campus into a sustainable education provider, as the university works to build enrolment numbers.
He acknowledged 2016 had been a difficult year for Deakin, but said it was obvious the community “needed and wanted the university”.
“The decision by the (university) council in October last year that we would stay was a turning point,” he said.
“We are now here to ensure that we deliver the quality that we know we can. I think from my perspective, having been a student, but having talked to a lot of students, that what they get here is something that is unique.”
Mr McCosh has been involved with education and training for 25 years, as a secondary teacher and as South West TAFE’s head of campus at Portland.
He also sits on the Beyond the Bell and Moyne Hospital boards.
“Feedback from the broader community was that they were wanting to see a local leader,” he said.
Mr McCosh highlighted the importance of working with local businesses and employers to identify opportunities for students.
“My connections to industry and business are very strong,” he said.
“I’ve been at Deakin for eight years now and I’m a Deakin graduate. With those connections, plus my understanding of higher education from a regional context, my focus will be on Warrnambool. It’s a real positive and I’m up for the challenge.”
He said further options would also be explored in regards to agricultural offerings.
He said while it was expected enrolments would be lower this year due to the uncertainty around the campus’ future at application time, there was still the opportunity for potential students to apply direct to Deakin to start a course in 2017. Direct applications close at the end of February.
Philanthropic foundations and Warrnambool City Council are supporting 18 scholarships for the campus.