Media releases

Vibrant new learning and meeting spaces in the heart of Ballarat’s CBD are connecting students and academics with business and the community as part of a major campus revitalisation.

Minister for Higher Education Gayle Tierney officially opened Federation University’s Co-operative Centre of Excellence at the historic School of Mines Ballarat (SMB) campus on Lydiard Street on Friday, April 14.

The Centre has seven innovative spaces which feature state-of-the-art audio-visual technologies that support media-rich collaboration, video conferencing, and focus group discussions. It will be used by students from a range of disciplines across higher education and TAFE, connecting the university with industry, government and the local community.

The Co-operative Centre of Excellence is bringing the University’s Campus Vision to life and will support the implementation of Federation’s co-operative education model under which all Federation programs will be designed and delivered in co-operation with regional employers from 2025.

This will bring students to the heart of Ballarat’s CBD to create a ‘university town’ atmosphere, supporting economic growth and jobs and bringing a new energy to the city centre.

The Co-operative Centre of Excellence was funded as part of a $9.5 million Victorian Government grant.

Originally constructed in 1899-1900 as part of the School of Mines Ballarat, the building is a key part of Federation University’s more than 150-year history.

In that time, it has served as classroom space for a range of subjects from chemistry to architectural drawing, as well as the home to various administrative functions of the School of Mines Ballarat and its subsequent institutions.

As part of the Heritage Victoria-approved renovation, the heritage structure has been exposed and restored in much of the building for the first time in many years.

Quote attributable to Federation University Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Duncan Bentley
“We want to create a university town by transforming the SMB campus into a vibrant hub for the whole community to enjoy.”

“By partnering with government to revitalise and restore this historic building, we are bringing students to the heart of Ballarat. where they can link with business and industry and support the city’s prosperity.”

“Our new co-operative education model is bringing the University and industry together to co-design, co-develop and co-deliver each of our programs, and this Centre is purpose built to support that rich collaboration.”

Quote attributable to the Minister for Higher Education, The Hon. Gayle Tierney MP

““This Centre of Excellence is a great example of government, universities, and industry working together to ensure regional areas have the highly skilled workers they need to fill great jobs.”