News

ACU withdraws from VET sector

Australian Catholic University (ACU) will withdraw from offering VET programs at the university and will discontinue and disestablish ACU College which means no new students will be enrolled in 2021. The University Senate noted this decision at its meeting on 3 December 2020.

Initially known as ACUCom, the college was established with the aim of providing non-degree opportunities for students, enterprises, community organisations and university stakeholders.

ACU Provost Professor Zlatko Skrbis said that ACU College faced significant competitive, environmental and legislative challenges in the crowded VET market and that ACU was not a dual-sector institution.

“Discontinuing ACU College will allow the university to concentrate on its core business of providing higher education programs and undertaking research.

“We will have the opportunity to invest directly in our higher education pathway programs and access and equity initiatives in order to grow and diversify enrolments,” Professor Skrbis said.

The university is consulting with affected staff who are affected by this decision.

There will be a 12-month teach-out period. Full-time students already studying at the College will be able to finish their program at ACU and graduate by the end of 2021.

Students studying part-time who are unable finish by the end of 2021 can transition to other RTO providers under ACU’s guidance.