Private college to open doors again on hope international students will return
One of Brisbane most recognisable educational facilities, Shafston International College, is set to reopen its doors to students five months after a pandemic forced shutdown.
Shafston College students pictured last year before the pandemic hit. Photo: Supplied
The decision to reopen to a reduced number of students comes amid finalisation of the sale of the riverside estate which gives the Kangaroo Point campus its name.
Queensland millionaire Keith Lloyd has sold Shafston Estate to developer Kevin Pan, who intends to invest in restoring the historic property, which dates back to 1851 and is one of the city’s earliest residences.
The college, which began in 1996, was closed in November but plans to reopen next month to offer vocational courses in aged care, business, childcare and project management.
Some college buildings will be demolished as part of the Shafston House restoration.
Shafston International College’s general manager Peter Wei said the campus would offer a “COVID safe education” option for current onshore international and domestic students and would scale back up when international travel resumed.
“This year our initial focus will be on the domestic market offering vocational courses, starting with much reduced levels of students,” he said.
“We are hopeful of attracting new students for our aged care courses following the royal commission recommendation for people working in the sector to have educational qualifications.
