New state of the art campus officially opens in Sydney’s Surry Hills

Torrens University is forged on partnerships, innovation, and challenging status quo to deliver future focussed outcomes for individuals and society which their Surry Hills campus encapsulates.

The new campus boasts incredible learning environments that are industry-standard, future-proof, and world-class for our health and nursing students, as well as our hospitality students. It will house the university’s Social Enterprise Hub which will launch many incredible and impactful projects, as well as The Practice Wellbeing Centre, a low-cost health clinic open to the public. Spaces that all deliver on the university’s guiding commitment as a B Corporation to Be Good.

“We are proudly industry’s university, with a laser sharp focus on the student experience,” said Torrens University CEO and President Linda Brown. “This is a home for a university that proudly partners with industry in everything we do.”

A milestone celebration bringing together students, industry and government

The state-of-the-art campus was officially launched with a grand celebration on 13 April.

The Hon Alister Henskens, NSW Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology and Minister for Skills and Training, The Hon John Ajaka, Former State Minister and Chair of Sydney Local Health District Board, Councilor Shauna Jarrett from the City of Sydney Council, and Michael Rodrigues, the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner at the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, attended the opening.

“Collaboration between government, industry and universities is incredibly important to drive innovation, job growth, new businesses, and I congratulate Torrens University for its close partnership with industry,” Mr Henskens said.

“Students at this university can study here knowing that they will have the skills they need for the jobs that they want when they graduate.”

The distinguished guests symbolise the university’s strength in connection to business and government in New South Wales, and represent a commitment as Industry’s University.

“As we sit on the precipice of beginning to reignite the Sydney and national economies, there has never been a more important time for proper collaboration within industry,” said Paul Nicolaou, Executive Director, Business Sydney. “I truly believe Torrens will be the benchmark when people think of innovation, industry connectedness, and high-quality education.”

Alumni and students joined in the celebrations sharing their stories and their hopes for the new campus.

“I think you can all agree that we are extremely excited to be back face-to-face on campus and I cannot wait to start building the next chapter for Torrens University at Surry Hills campus,” said Gustaf Lindqvist, President of Surry Hills SRC.

Bringing together students across disciplines for a new chapter in face-to-face learning

After two years of online-only learning and the isolation of lockdowns due to the COVID pandemic, Torrens University’s students and staff in Sydney are excited about coming together again at their new home close to the transport hub of Central Station.

“I call it a super campus, but Surry Hills campus really is one of our flagship campuses,” says Georgie Bellas, Campus Director. “It will have Health, Business and Hospitality programs, including Nursing courses and our Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School.  The campus is located at 17-37 Foveaux St and has the capacity for 14, 000 students.”

Around Australia, Torrens University selects interesting, beautiful and often heritage buildings for our campuses, and Surry Hills is no exception. It's a heritage-listed site with high ceilings, large windows and exposed brick, combined with sensitive modern design.

“We've gone straight for cutting-edge technology for teaching and learning. We have a mock hotel lobby for the hands-on applied training for our Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School, and a fully operational, student-led health clinic called The Practice,” Georgie explains.

“Our students who are studying Western Herbal Medicine, Naturopathy, Clinical Nutrition, and Counselling will gain their practical training through this clinic, which will be open to the public. So students will be working with real clients.”

Cutting edge facilities for Health students

Our Health students across all courses will benefit from the facilities at Surry Hills. In the dispensary, Western Herbal Medicine students will learn how to prescribe and create natural tonics and herbal medicines.

In the anatomy and physiology classes, students will use the most advanced 3D imaging technology to dissect and take a three-dimensional look into the various parts of the human body. There are fully equipped hospital labs on campus, where our Nursing students will experience what it is actually like to work in a hospital ward.

These students will also train in complex simulation labs equipped with state-of-the-art technology including a high definition Simman which can be programmed by our technicians to simulate a range of ailments. Our Structure and Function Lab is designed to deliver a hands on learning experience with anatomical models for our health science and nursing programs.

A campus that embodies the Torrens University spirit

Surry Hills campus is designed to capture the essence of what Torrens University stands for.

“We wanted to make it a space that would promote lots of industry connections and interactions, and we wanted to create a space that reflects our fundamental focus on student happiness. This campus will ensure our students get the hands-on learning experience that will equip them to be leaders in their field when they graduate,” said Georgie.

Linda Brown’s words at the opening event echoed Georgie’s sentiment.

“I look around and I am so proud because this right here – this campus - truly stands for what Torrens University has always pledged to do – to set our students and graduates up for the future.”

Hero image: Buuja Buuja, Butterfly Dance Group, led by Rayma Johnson, alumni of Bangarra Dance Theatre, performs the traditional welcome to country at the campus opening.

To find out more about our new Surry Hills campus visit: www.torrens.edu.au/campuses/sydney/surry-hills-sydney

For details about our Health courses visit: www.torrens.edu.au/courses/health