October 24, 2023

UOW College Australia marks 35 years of transforming lives and careers

Staff, students and alumni celebrate milestone

UOW College Australia staff, students and graduates celebrated the College’s 35th anniversary at an event at the University of Wollongong (UOW) on Monday night.

Since 1988, UOW College Australia has been providing pathways to university and employment, including vocational training, English language courses, higher education diplomas, homestay, and study tours, with courses offered across UOW’s campuses from Liverpool in the north to Bega in the south, as well as internationally.

In those 35 years it has helped more than 30,000 students from over 70 nations continue their education.

When it first opened in December 1988, UOW College offered one of the first programs of its kind in Australia, helping international students achieve a foundation in English language so they could continue on to university studies.

University of Wollongong (UOW) Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Patricia M. Davidson said UOW College Australia played an important role for the University, providing students with the skills they need to thrive in higher education.

“UOW College Australia provides students with supported pathways and a nurturing environment with smaller classes and varied student supports,” Professor Davidson said.

“We know that UOW College students do very well once they come over to the University, including Nursing students who have close to a 100 per cent pass rate year after year.

“The College also plays an important role in welcoming international students to Australia, and has done so since 1988, right at the start of the international education industry in Australia.”

UOW College Australia General Manager Felix Lanceley said that although the College would continue to expand and evolve, the ideals on which it was founded will not change. 

“We will continue to offer our students the best opportunities, and a level of support that will help them achieve their goals,” he said. 

“Many of our students have gone on to forge exciting and successful careers in industries and cities around the world, and it has been such an honour to help them on their way over the past 35 years.” 

Among the speakers at the event were UOW Global Enterprises Board Chairman Mr John M. Green, and UOW College Australia graduate and now staff member Byron Frencham.