Professor Andrew Vann visited the campus earlier this week after seeing the project during the construction phase.

“It is absolutely great to see it all finished and occupied,” he said.

Professor Vann said the university wanted a different sort of building in Port Macquarie in recognition of the changing nature of teaching and learning.

The campus design reflects a move away from traditional lecture theatres.

The university’s stage one development off Major Innes Road features a multi-level building set around a landscaped courtyard. 

It includes flexible indoor and outdoor teaching spaces, learning commons and library, student central, a specialised simulation space, Indigenous courtyard and administrative areas.

“It is really delivering on the original vision,” Professor Vann said.

The university opened an interim Grant Street campus in 2012.

There are 625 students on the new campus and about 110 staff. 

Professor Vann said the university was excited about progress to date but there was more to be done.

He said continuing to work closely with stakeholders would be critical.

Future building stages are subject to demand and funding.

Professor Vann met on Monday with Mid North Coast Local Health District chief executive Stewart Dowrick.

The pair spoke about research opportunities such as in the allied health field.

“We are investing more and more money to research opportunities for staff and we need to tie in with our university friends about how they support us and we support them in building research capacity over time,” Mr Dowrick said.

Professor Vann said strengthening the research agenda was part of the campus maturing.

He said the university was looking to work with the local health district to determine some research priorities.

The university’s research approach includes community involvement.