December 3, 2017

UOW sets new record for tertiary sector debt fundraising

Capital funding secured for future expansion plans

The University of Wollongong (UOW) has secured capital funding for its future expansion plans following a record-breaking Medium Term Note (MTN) issue valued at A$175 million on Friday 1 December 2017.

The transaction achieved a new record low yield of 3.54% for a 10 year term, bettering all previous MTN debt raising transactions by Australian tertiary education institutions.

The oversubscribed issue generated strong interest from high quality investors, which saw the order book value peak at approximately A$500 million before UOW confirmed its final price requirements.

The University intends to use the funds raised in this transaction to support various capital expenditure plans including projects at its Wollongong Campus and expansion of its recently opened South Western Sydney Campus in Liverpool.

University of Wollongong Chief Finance Officer, Damien Israel, said the market’s response to its Medium Term Note issue was an endorsement of the institution and its future plans.

“This successful deal reflected the University’s outstanding reputation as a high quality teaching and research institution, with a strong track record of highly effective governance and management.

“This was clearly evidenced in the quality of investors taking part in the transaction and the substantial peak in the order book.

“The market’s response shows a high level of confidence in our plans for future expansion,” Mr Israel said.

The University is . This rating has been in place since 2006.

Most investors were from Australia (81%), followed by Asia (15%) and the remainder from Europe, the Middle East and Africa (4%). The vast majority of investors were asset managers (93%), with the remainder comprised of middle market, securities and bank investors.

UOW unveiled its in August last year. identified in that plan: the Western Building, which will house state of the art creative arts studios and teaching facilities, and Molecular Horizons, UOW’s Centre for Molecular and Life Sciences research.

UOW’s in Liverpool for 2017 has been welcomed by local students, with first year enrolments meeting targets and accelerated growth expected as course offerings expand. The University anticipates having 7000 students studying at the campus by 2030.