The opening of Nihon University's Newcastle campus has been put back to 2022 due to the impact of COVID-19.
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The campus, which is being constructed on the site of the former Newcastle Court House, was due to receive its first students in the second half of 2021.
"They have young students and they don't want to send them out here in the current environment," project spokesman Edward Clode of dwp said this week.
Meanwhile, the $41million transformation of the site remains on track for completion by mid year.
The last major slab was set in position last week and a topping out ceremony will take place on February 3.
"We are about to start the repairs to the external facade.
"The heritage building looks like it's going to be complete by the end of March or early April." Mr Clode, who has worked closely with Japanese lead architect Mr Jun Yokobori, said.
"Generally property managers from Nihon would have been out by this stage to go over the building so we are relying on video conferencing and drones."
The construction team has encountered several challenges including the remains of old mine workings connected to the Dudley coal seam located about 20 metres below where the eastern courthouse building stood.
Several tonnes of grout was used to stabilise the area before the installation of footings for the accommodation building.
Another challenge was two giant termite nests in the heritage-listed main courthouse building.
The first nest was located in the portico of the Bolton Street entrance, while the second was found in one of the small courtrooms.
In addition, extensive water damage at the back of the building also needed to be repaired before work on the restoration commenced.
Newcastle is the first overseas campus for Nihon. The University also considered sites in the United Kingdom, the United States, Sydney and Melbourne.
It has previously said its vision for the Newcastle campus is to serve as a "hub for international mutual exchange programs promoting and understanding Japanese culture".
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Nihon has signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Newcastle for future exchange programs in February 2018 as part of its commitment to the Newcastle project.
Nihon has described its proposed exchange program with University of Newcastle as "the efficient re-use of the old courthouse".
"It is also intended to open the doors to students of Newcastle University to experience mock-up trials, debating with visiting Japanese students and cross-learn the judicial systems of both countries," Nihon said late last year.
Nihon University will also donate more than 5000 books on Japanese criminology and law, for the use of Newcastle university researchers, with some lectures to be open to the public.
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