THE University of New England has all but confirmed its intention to bring face-to-face teaching to Tamworth students “in the near future”.
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The Armidale-based education provider said it was assessing options to “expand” its teaching operations to the Tamworth area in the next year, which would include face-to-face courses.
Acting Tamworth Mayor Helen Tickle, a long-time campaigner for education development in the city, confirmed to The Leader discussions were had about face-to-face teaching with the University.
“Council has been actively pursuing face-to-face delivery for a number of years,” she said.
“Recent discussions indicate that the expansion of delivery options will become a reality,” she said.
“We look forward to expanded delivery options in Tamworth to enable students to access those courses without having to move to other centres.”
It follows reported negotiations between UNE and Tamworth Regional Council about the University’s lease of its centre on Fitzroy St, which is expected to go before a council meeting next month.
Trevor Goldstone, UNE’s pro vice chancellor, external relations confirmed the education provider had been in discussions with council to bring face-to-face teaching to the area with plans now afoot.
“We have now developed a three-point plan to ensure that does occur in the next year or two,” he said.
“We are firstly developing a Tamworth Education Plan; it will describe what specific courses we will actually deliver face-to-face in Tamworth. We are working on that very issue right now, it’s likely to be a number of courses.”
He flagged the possibility of expansion to locations outside the Fitzroy St centre.
“The current student centre will continue to play a very important role and it is highly likely we will look at other locations when it comes to course delivery,” he said.
Mr Goldstone said the university also aimed to have a broader engagement with the Tamworth community and stakeholder groups, including its sponsorship of the Tamworth Business Chamber and Junior Chamber.
“We are continuing to work closely with the council around the continuation of the study centre and taking a collaborative approach to how UNE can increase its role in broader terms in supporting education development in Tamworth,” he said. He said the finer details of the plan were still to be determined.