Monday, 20 August – Ahead of their official launch, Sydney Zoo, the most advanced attraction of its kind in Australia, has signed an exclusive education partnership with Western Sydney University to become the official Tertiary Education Partner.
The partnership reinforces the ties to Western Sydney and its contribution to reshaping and revitalising the local area, guided by a world class University.
The Zoo is set to become one of the region’s most significant attractions, and the alliance provides a greater opportunity to promote this world class, high-tech tourist destination.
Managing Director of Sydney Zoo, Jake Burgess, shares how the partnership with Western Sydney University will benefit the local community.
“Western Sydney University shares Sydney Zoo’s passion and commitment to positively impacting the local community and we are proud to partner with an organisation that shares these values,” said Mr Burgess.
Vice-Chancellor and President of Western Sydney University, Professor Barney Glover highlights the unique opportunities the new partnership offered.
“Our strengths in research and teaching alongside technology and innovation will complement the state-of-the-art features of Sydney Zoo, offering unrivalled visitor experiences and a world-class education program,” said Professor Glover.
Through the agreement, Sydney Zoo will provide three scholarships per year for students studying Tourism Management, Animal Science or Zoology and will facilitate access to real-world, hands-on experiences to enhance their studies, and lead to improved graduate outcomes.
Higher Degree research scholarship recipients will have direct access to Zoo facilities, and each undergraduate scholarship recipient will gain the opportunity to secure an internship or graduate placement at the end of their final year of studies.
Western Sydney University Advanced Science student, Natalia Sabatino Vidal, agrees that the partnership offers a range of exciting experiences for students.
“In the past, applying for research programs in zoos has been a challenging process and not really accessible to students in the west. The new Sydney Zoo and Western Sydney University partnership opens up internship and research opportunities that will enrich study programs,” said Natalia.
In addition to the internships and graduate placements offered under the scholarships, Sydney Zoo will also provide 24 separate internship placements over the three years.
Western Sydney University Tourism Management student, Samantha Wagstaff, also highlighted the benefits for the tourism industry in the region.
“For placements, most tourism students usually have to travel into the city or further – options in Western Sydney have been really limited. Sydney Zoo not only offers us an exciting opportunity on our doorstep, it will also reinvigorate the industry and that means more jobs here in the future,” said Samantha.
The partnership builds upon an existing relationship and will enable a unique and valuable avenue for the Western Sydney community and visitors to the zoo.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Red Agency
P: 02 9963 7736
E: sydneyzoo@redagency.com.au
Clare Patience, Western Sydney University
P: +61 408 846 224
E: media@westernsydney.edu.au
