Back to all news

27 November 2023

Study Hub Grows! - Great Southern University Centre

The Great Southern Universities Centre’s 24/7 Study Hub in Albany has been so successful in supporting regional students through tertiary education. As of November, it’s expanded to occupy the entire historic Co-Op building on Frederick Street.

Until now, students have only had access to the ground floor.

GSU staff, students and guests celebrated the launch of the new upper-level study space on October 24th over drinks and beautifully put-together grazing boards.

City of Albany Mayor Greg Stocks and CEO Andrew Sharpe stopped by for the celebrations, along with representatives from Great Southern Development Commission, South Regional TAFE, Lumen Wheatbelt Regional Universities Centre, and Regional Development Australia Great Southern.

L to R: GS Uni Centre Director Mike Eastman, Katie Arbuckle and Karen Petty – Great Southern Development Commission
Grazing board of selective meats, vegetables and sweets
L to R: Regional Development Australia Great Southern CEO Simon Lyas, City of Albany Mayor Greg Stocks, ACCI CEO Kristen Pyrz-Brown, GS Uni Centre Associates Coordinator Jane Mouritz

“The expansion provides a communal kitchen and lounge space, iconic water views, and a place where students can enjoy a campus style atmosphere, be comfortable, mingle, meet new friends and feel less isolated.”

— Kristina Low, Student Support Officer

The new level includes a mix of individual and collaborative study spaces.

The Co-Lab Room, equipped with a BENQ screen, whiteboard, comfortable lounge area and conference table provides students with a space to attend online lectures and tutorials together, conduct group conference calls, organise group study sessions, workshop assignments together and more.

The WA Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) Diploma of Music students have already used this space to come together for remotely-run workshops and study sessions.

The Research Room is the ideal space for Masters and PhD students needing a professional and inviting space to work. Sound cancelling headphones, multiple monitors, a BENQ screen, and being able to pre-book the room means students can meet with their research teams remotely and enjoy a more focused space to study.

A one-touch stand up desk and other seating dotted around the Hub offers a mix of options for students.

Student Support Officer Kristina Low says the expansion “provides a communal kitchen and lounge space, iconic water views, and a place where students can enjoy a campus style atmosphere, be comfortable, mingle, meet new friends and feel less isolated.”

The upper level Study Hub is currently open to registered students from 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday, with 24/7 access available in the coming months. The ground level is available 24/7 to registered students.

We'd like to thank Mike Eastman and Kristina Low for sending through this story about the launch of the new space at GSUC!

If you'd like to view the original news article, click here.

Other articles