Local tertiary students in the Southern Downs region will soon have access to academic opportunities closer to home, thanks to a significant funding boost secured by the Commonwealth Government for a new satellite educational facility.
Following collaborative efforts between the Council, key educational institutions, and community organisations, the Hon Jason Clare MP, Commonwealth Minister for Education, announced the successful bid for a university study hub aimed at providing administrative and academic support to students in the region.
Council’s chief executive officer Dave Burges said that creating the right pathways for accessible education would greatly boost the region’s long-term sustainability.
“University study hubs deliver infrastructure that provides academic support so that students can live and study locally without relocating,” Mr Burges said.
“The funding announcement for a dedicated study hub on the Southern Downs is a major win for the region and addresses an important gap in supporting our students.
“It will open options for students and provide quality learning spaces, meeting rooms, technology and, very importantly, an engaging learning environment with pastoral care for students making the transition from school or other activities to tertiary education.”
The newly funded university study hub will be established in Warwick’s Southern Downs Industry Education Association’s (SDIEA) building.
The hub will be linked to a range of others through affiliation with the Country Universities Centre network.
With the agreement of the Commonwealth Government in place, a representative working group will continue to develop the project over the next few months with more announcements to follow.
