NEW ROUND OF REGIONAL UNIVERSITY STUDY HUBS PROGRAM OPENS
Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack is inviting community-owned organisations and universities to apply for the 2024 round of the Regional University Study Hubs program.
“The 2024 application round of the Regional University Study Hubs program is now open and it represents a wonderful opportunity for community-owned organisations and universities to apply for funding to give regional communities the facilities required to support regional university students,” Mr McCormack said.
“Under Cohort 5 of the program, up to 10 new Regional Study Hubs are set to be established in a regional or remote area of Australia.
“Last year’s application round was a success for the Riverina and Central West, with more than $700,000 in funding being awarded to the Country University Centre (CUC) Cowra Region to secure its future.
“Now is the chance for other communities in the Riverina and Central West to have the opportunity to establish their own similar facility.
“Regional University Study Hubs give regional university students a place to study, sit exams and meet with like-minded students.
“They can be an absolute lifeline for many regional communities which are struggling with skills shortages.
“Too often we see our best and brightest, who otherwise would love to stay and live in their hometown, moving to the big cities to pursue their education goals, depriving their town of their talent.
“Improving accessibility to tertiary education is a win for everyone in a regional community.
“When the Liberals and Nationals were in Government we recognised exactly this — establishing the predecessor to the Regional University Study Hubs program, the Regional University Centres program in 2018.
“Whilst in Government we delivered $102 million in funding, in order to narrow the city-country divide and ensure more regional Australians have an equal opportunity to pursue higher education, establishing 34 hubs in total.
“One study hub established by the Coalition was the Country University Centre in Parkes, symbolising an investment of $505,000, later receiving a further $1.87 million from the Coalition Government to expand allied health student training and placements in conjunction with Charles Sturt University.
“I look forward to seeing more of such facilities be given a kick-start by the Government and offer my support in ensuring the Riverina and Central West gets its fair share of the funding.”
More information and the application form can be found at https://www.education.gov.au/regional-university-study-hubs-2024-application-round
Applications close 18 October 2024.
ENDS