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History

1900–1950s

Early origins

Curtin’s genesis comes about when Perth Technical School is established (later to be renamed Perth Technical College).

Post-war educational push

Education was seen as the key to economic development for Western Australia’s booming population following World War II. With the Perth Technical College bursting at the seams, plans were developed for a new, specialised tertiary institution to serve the professional needs of industry. On 19 June 1962, Premier David Brand announced that a new type of ‘college’ would be built at Bentley.

WAIT’s early champions

WAIT came about thanks to the vision and efforts of four key figures in Western Australia’s post-war educational scene: Dr Lesley Phillips, Superintendent of Technical Education (1943 to 1948); his successor, William George Inglis (George) Hayman; Thomas Logan (TL) Robertson, the WA Director of Education; and Dr Haydn Williams, the Director of Technical Education, who would go on to become WAIT’s first director.

WAIT entrance

1967

WAIT opens with almost 3,000 students.

Student Guild

1968

The Student Guild is established, and the first Guild Council takes office on February the following year with Tom Silvan, a pharmacy student, as President.

School of mines Curtin University

1969

Two of Western Australia’s key educational institutions for the important mining and agricultural industries join WAIT soon after its establishment: the Western Australian School of Mines in Kalgoorlie, established in 1902, and the Muresk Agricultural College in Northam, established in 1926.

WAIT takes responsibility for the state’s physiotherapy, occupational therapy and chiropody disciplines.

1970s

Robertson Library Curtin University

1971

WAIT’s main library, the TL Robertson Library, opens, along with another vital student service, the Computer Centre.

Hydrotherapy Curtin University

1972

The Shenton Park campus of WAIT opens, housing the Department of Therapies.

6nr

1976

Radio 6NR is established at WAIT, Western Australia’s first community radio station – later renamed Curtin FM.

Hockey stadium Curtin University

1979

The Commonwealth Hockey Stadium (later to be known as the Perth Hockey Stadium) opens at WAIT.

1980s

1985

Curtin commits to an equal opportunity approach to employment, for women in the first instance, and later for Aboriginal people and other disadvantaged groups.

1986

The WAIT Amendment Act passes on 3 December and is proclaimed on 19 December, enabling WAIT’s status to be changed to that of a university.

1987

WAIT begins operating as Curtin University of Technology – Australia’s first university of technology. The Curtin name was taken from the influential and widely revered former Prime Minister of Australia, John Curtin.

See how Curtin University of Technology grew from 1987 to 2017

1990s

1992

Curtin joins the Open Learning program (now known as Open Universities Australia) to provide flexible education opportunities to students unable to attend campus.

1993

The Curtin Graduate School of Business opens in 1993, building on the success of Curtin’s MBA program. The new graduate school is strategically located in St Georges Terrace in the Perth CBD to be closer to the business community from which many of its students will be drawn. In 2002, the GSB upgrades to alternative city premises in Murray Street, where it continues to build its profile and reputation.

Centre for Aboriginal Studies Curtin

1994

The purpose-built Centre for Aboriginal Studies opens, offering a sense of place for Aboriginal students and staff and cementing Curtin’s strong commitment to increasing educational opportunities, self-empowerment and recognition for Indigenous people.

Curtin Volunteers! is established as a non-profit organisation to provide a vehicle for students to carry out community projects, honouring the spirit and legacy of John Curtin. It gives rise to the annual John Curtin Weekend activities which see students heading out to regional towns across the state to support a wide range of community-building activities.

John Curtin Centre

1997

The John Curtin Centre opens, introducing a signature ‘red brick’ architectural style to Curtin, honouring the University’s namesake and paving the way for a greater public profile for the University – through the John Curtin Gallery, John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library, and an impressive outdoor public forum.

The John Curtin Medal is established as Curtin’s most prestigious non-academic award, recognising individuals in the community who have made a significant contribution in their field and who have exhibited John Curtin’s qualities of vision, leadership and community service. It signals the University’s strong commitment to social advancement and engagement.

1998

Curtin signs a Statement of Reconciliation and Commitment, signalling its commitment to building relationships, respect and trust between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

1999

Curtin International College is established at the Perth campus, providing a pathway into Curtin for students who have not met university entry requirements through their secondary schooling. The College, which attracts students from many countries, is run by private company, IBT Education (later to be known as Navitas) in partnership with Curtin. It is later renamed Curtin College.

2000–2010

sarawak campus

2002

Curtin Malaysia officially opens as Curtin’s first permanent offshore campus, quickly establishing itself as the ‘gold standard’ of international education.

2005

Curtin expands its regional presence to include facilities in Esperance and Margaret River. These activities have since ceased.

The Sydney campus opens its doors, offering undergraduate and postgraduate business courses. A decision is later made to close the campus in early 2017.

Singapore Campus Curtin University

2008

Curtin Singapore, Curtin’s second permanent offshore campus, is opened.

Curtin becomes the first Australian teaching and research institution to develop its own Reconciliation Action Plan to strategically address shortcomings that exist between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians within the University’s framework.

Resources and chemistry precinct curtin

2009

The Resources and Chemistry Precinct opens as an innovative collaboration between university, industry and community, demonstrating Curtin’s pre-eminence in the resources and energy space.

The Curtin Stadium is opened, supporting the University’s strategies around health and wellbeing, community access and elite athletes.

Curtin makes its debut on the Academic Ranking of World Universities, a prestigious research-oriented listing of the top 500 institutions in the world.

2010 – Current

2010

A new name

Curtin University of Technology begins trading as Curtin University, to better position itself in international markets, especially in Asia.

Greater Curtin

Planning begins in earnest on the Greater Curtin master plan, outlining Curtin’s 2030 vision for bringing research, business and creative knowledge together in a vibrant, urban knowledge hub on the Perth campus. The plan provides for the development of sustainably designed office, retail, transport and accommodation facilities to effectively turn Curtin into a university town.

2013

New law school opens

The Curtin Law School is launched, initially running its programs from the Perth campus.

Curtin embraces MOOCs

Massive, open, online courses, or MOOCs, are offered for the first time, one of many digital strategies embraced by the University as it repositions its teaching and learning platforms for the digital age.

Curtin assumes responsibility for the Herbert Mayer Collection of Carrolup Artworks

In an important example of international, cultural and educational collaboration, Colgate University in New York transfers 119 Indigenous artworks to Curtin University. The works were created by Noongar children who were part of Australia’s Stolen Generations and are a significant part of the heritage and history of the region.

2016

City presence expands

Curtin expands its city presence to three heritage locations in the CBD with the shift of the Curtin Law School to new premises at 57 Murray Street and the opening of Curtin University St Georges Terrace, at the historic Old Perth Boys’ School site, as a hub for community and stakeholder engagement. Constructed in 1854, the building was the first purpose-built public school in Perth and has historic links to the University.

A rising star

Curtin is identified as one of the Nature Index 2016 Rising Stars which identified the top 100 ascendant performers in the world of science.

2017

staff forming shape of a 50 for 50th anniversary

50 Years of Innovation

Curtin marks 50 years since the opening of its predecessor institution, the WA Institute of Technology, accepted its first students. The anniversary is celebrated throughout the year on all campuses under the banner of ’50 Years of Innovation’.

Opening of Medical School Curtin

Opening of Curtin Medical School

The Curtin Medical School is opened by Premier Colin Barnett and offers the only undergraduate medical degree course in WA. The School is established to increase the number of doctors in the State and better meet the needs of under-serviced areas of health care.

Curtin University Dubai

Opening of Dubai campus

Curtin’s third international campus is opened in Dubai International Academic City by the Australian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. The campus aims to strengthen Curtin’s standing as a global university and a recognised international leader in research and education.

Aberdeen-Curtin Alliance established

Aberdeen-Curtin Alliance established

Curtin joins forces with the University of Aberdeen to establish an alliance to deliver high-impact research and innovative teaching programs across four key areas: energy, medicine and health, creative arts and business.

St Georges Campus

Opening of 137 St Georges Terrace

Historic premises at 137 St Georges Terrace are opened by Curtin University as an additional city-based location offering new learning opportunities for business professionals and postgraduate students.

Main Midland Campus

Opening of Curtin Midland

The Curtin Midland campus is opened by Federal Member for Hasluck and Minister for Indigenous Australians, Hon. Ken Wyatt AM and Member for Midland, Minister for Police and Road Safety Hon. Michelle Roberts. The campus will act as an important base for Curtin’s medical students, while providing greater access to tertiary education for eastern suburb residents.

20 years of Curtin Malaysia

Curtin marks 20 years since the opening of its oldest and largest international campus, Curtin Malaysia. The milestone was celebrated with a formal stakeholder event and the announcement of a new series of scholarships to commemorate the anniversary. A new joint venture agreement between Curtin University and Curtin Malaysia Sdn Bhd was signed to continue the partnership for a further 20 years.

Curtin Exchange commences

Curtin University awards a contract to deliver the first stage of the University’s new industry-connected innovation precinct, Exchange. Construction of the precinct’s first stage begins in August, commencing with the new School of Design and Built Environment building.