Quotes
It has a 122-year history but perhaps no milestone since its founding has been bigger: Avondale is the first higher education provider in Australia to become a university college under standards administered by the national regulator.
The addition of Avondale College of Higher Education to the “Australian University College” category is also the first time a higher education provider has qualified for a change of category since the federal government established the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency.
So, what are people saying about Avondale’s registration as an Australian university college? Here are key quotes.
Congratulations Avondale, the South Pacific Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is proud of you becoming a university college. God has led Avondale from the outset and this is another milestone in your distinguished history. You have always provided quality Adventist tertiary education for people who want to serve the community and God. This has been hard work but well deserved and the past and current staff members, students and council members can be thanked for their efforts in working toward this achievement. Well done and God bless.—Pr Glenn Townend, Chancellor, Avondale College of Higher Education, and President, South Pacific Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
Charles Sturt University is delighted to see Avondale recognised with university college status. We have been working with Avondale to support them on their journey and have been impressed by their academic standards and ethos. We look forward to their continued growth and development.—Professor Andrew Vann, Vice-Chancellor and President, Charles Sturt University
I’m so delighted Avondale will be among the first institutions to be accorded university college recognition within the Australian higher education sector. This is richly deserved, reflecting as it does the sustained commitment of the leadership of the college to the highest quality in education across your fields of study. Your entry to university college status provides welcome diversity within our national university system.—Emeritus Professor Kwong Lee Dow, Former Vice-Chancellor (2004-2005), The University of Melbourne
The regulator’s decision is fitting recognition of the work and dedication of the college community, academic staff, support staff, students and of course the families of the students. It is also excellent news for our region, which needs and deserves quality learning opportunities for our young people. I thank Avondale for providing so many local young people with the very best chance of fully developing their potential. Congratulations to all involved. I wish everyone every success for the future.—Joel Fitzgibbon, Member for Hunter, New South Wales, Parliament of Australia
This is wonderful news not just for Avondale but for the Lake Macquarie community. The college has operated at Cooranbong for 122 years and as well as being a significant employer in the area, it’s an important part of our greater community. I congratulate Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Ray Roennfeldt and his team who have worked so hard for many years on establishing the college as one of the finest higher education providers in the region.—Greg Piper, Member for Lake Macquarie, Parliament of New South Wales
I couldn’t be more delighted with the news that Avondale has been granted university college status. This has been a long time coming and it’s very well deserved. Congratulations to the team. This will be a huge plus for Avondale students, past, present and future.—Dr Barry Oliver, Former Chair (2008-2015), Avondale College Council
The achievement of university college status is a confirmation of Avondale’s long-standing reputation for excellence and its commitment to sustained quality improvement. It is a fitting reward for those whose vision and diligence have developed over many years an institutional profile appropriate to the coveted title “university college.”—Dr John Cox, Former President (2004-2008), Avondale College
It’s been a long road to this point so I’m delighted Avondale has now been granted this recognition. It speaks volumes for the strength of its academic program and the quality of its graduates. Congratulations to all involved.—Dr Geoffrey Madigan, Former President (1990-2003), Avondale College
Avondale is a highly valued, founding member of IHEA and we congratulate them for their successful admission as Australia’s first university college.—Simon Finn, Chief Executive Officer, Independent Higher Education Australia
TEQSA approves application for an Australian University College
Read the announcement from the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency about its approval of an application lodged by Avondale College Limited to change category from “Higher Education Provider” to “Australian University College.”
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