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Business education in Western Australia has taken a significant step forward with the opening today of a new $50 million home for The University of Western Australia's Business School.

The new environmentally-sustainable building was opened by Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett before an audience comprising the leaders of the State's business community.

The facility, on the southern end of the UWA campus, has been two years in the making and provides learning and research spaces to support new generations of business leaders.  It will house around 160 staff and be the learning hub for more than 5,000 students.

Students will be taught in state-of-the-art lecture theatres, tutorial rooms and work spaces named after prominent business leaders and companies, many of whom have contributed to a $25 million fundraising campaign.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Robson said that in the international marketplace, business education needed to be of the highest quality.

"The UWA Business School already has a strong international reputation.  It's the only university business school in the State to be accredited under the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS), offering excellence in teaching standards, courses and research," Professor Robson said.

Chair of the UWA Business School Board Mark Barnaba said the completion of the outstanding new building would provide many opportunities for UWA Business School students and graduates in the years ahead.

"Western Australia's development over the past few decades has increased the demand for internationally-competitive business leaders," Mr Barnaba said.

Dr Tony Howarth, Chair of the Business School Fundraising Committee and deputy chair of the Board, said the West Australian business community had been generous in their support for the school.

"This is an investment in the future of the State, the quality of our future graduates and a vote of confidence in the Business School," he said.

UWA Business School Dean, Professor Tracey Horton, said the School had been fortunate in having the close involvement of outstanding business leaders, through the Business School Board.

"We are fortunate to have on the Board such high-calibre and experienced leaders visibly demonstrating their support," she said. "We will take advantage of the opportunity by ensuring that our strategy remains focused nationally and internationally on attracting the best students, attracting and retaining the best staff and building strong links with the business community."

"We want our students to be inquiring, innovative and free thinking and the physical layout of our purpose-built Business School will facilitate these qualities," she said.

The new building designed by architectural firm Woods-Bagot has coloured sections representing the key economic regions of WA - the Goldfields, Pilbara, Wheatbelt and Kimberley.

The building provides state-of-the-art opportunities for leaning through flexible spaces which foster a high-level of interaction and networking as well as work and study.

The building also houses the staff of the UWA-Australian Institute of Management alliance which provides executive and organisational development services.

The opening celebrations were part of a public open day which show-cased the new building and provided information on educational programs and research activities.

Media references

Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8) 6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716
Heather Merritt (UWA Business School)  (+61 8) 6488 8171  /  (+61 4) 19 950 027