Country Universities Centre expands to support more regional students

This week the Minister for Education, the Hon Dan Tehan MP and the Minister for Decentralisation and Regional Education, the Hon Andrew Gee MP, announced seed and operational funding for a further six CUCs across NSW, Queensland and Victoria.

The Country Universities Centre (CUC) warmly welcomes the Minister’s continued investment in Regional Universities Centres, and the Federal Government’s sustained and critical focus on improving outcomes for higher education in rural, regional and remote Australia.

Currently, the CUC network includes six Centres across eight locations in NSW, drawing students from towns with a population base of 110,000. This announcement will help expand that catchment across the country to more than 180,000, meaning more students will have access to an enhanced experience while studying in their own community.

The CUC will work with local boards to establish the following affiliate Centres in the coming months:

• CUC Parkes
• CUC Macleay Valley
• CUC Southern Shoalhaven
• CUC Roma
• Bass Coast University Centre
• CUC Balonne (St George and Dirranbandi)

CUC CEO, Duncan Taylor, said this funding is a crucial catalyst that will close the gap in support for students to study in their local community.

Our purpose is to empower regional people by building highly connected learning communities and opportunities for a vibrant and prosperous future.

With each new Centre announced today, more students can access the support and resources that we believe are essential to improved higher education outcomes for regional students.

It’s a win-win scenario. Students receive better access and participation to a quality higher education, and they remain in the local area connected with family, friends and community. Local businesses, schools and health facilities have greater access to people with university qualifications locally, without having to attract people outside the area.

CUCs are community-driven organisations. Local committees, supporters and advocates worked extremely hard to get to this point. We are excited to stand alongside them as these new Centres receive establishment and operational funding, Mr Taylor said.

The CUC also thanked the NSW Government for its ongoing support. We believe that our Centres are stronger, more resilient and sustainable with a co-investment model between the State and Commonwealth Governments. our Centres in NSW work off a co-contribution model and we are grateful for the continued support that is afforded to them.

Download the media release here: 062020_Media Release_Country Universities Centre Expands to Support More Regional Students