They gathered in the facility, which is under construction in the Stacks Finance building on Pulteney Street, on Thursday, December 17 to celebrate the beginning of a new era of tertiary education in the Manning.

It was also the first time all university partners, such as University of New England, Charles Sturt University, University of Newcastle and Central Queensland University, were under the same roof.

TUC chief executive Donna Ballard was overjoyed by the opening day. She said students had the opportunity to talk one-on-one about their needs and options in preparation for study next year.

"Everyone that's walking in the door is appreciating they can be here and not have those costs of leaving home," Mrs Ballard said.

"I didn't really realise until we started talking to each of them, that cost factor and having somewhere to live are the biggest barriers.

"You can have the knowledge and the right marks from the HSC, but if you haven't got somewhere to live it becomes impossible to even consider it (tertiary education)."

Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie unveiled the plaque for the campus.

Campus chair Dr Alison McIntosh acknowledged his work to get the project off the ground.

"We would not be here today without money, we've had that $1.5 million grant that came from the federal government, which Dr Gillespie worked so hard on," Dr McIntosh said.

Dr McIntosh estimated about $2 million in finance and infrastructure has been committed to the project.

"We need more money of course so we'll always be looking for sponsors and scholarships for people to fund," Dr McIntosh said.

Mrs Ballard was overwhelmed by the support from local businesses, which make daily contact with the committee about being part of the project.

"It's mind-blowing," Mrs Ballard said.

Some students feel daunted by the transition from the high school system to an online learning method.

The campus will ensure they feel supported.

"They've been studying in the high school buildings and that idea of going straight online is not necessarily a clear option," Mrs Ballard said.

"It's still a distance education course but they get all the extra support from us and the community."

Dr McIntosh said there are many examples where students want to leave the area to study but find it difficult to do so.

"Now they have this option to get that face-to-face experience and campus collegiality," Dr McIntosh said.

"They won't have to go away and have that great disappointment and be away from family and friends."

In the meantime, it's all systems go ahead of the first roll-out of courses in term one next year.

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