Young learners in the State's southeast are receiving extra support for future pathways as Children's University Australasia and Africa (CUAA) expands to Mount Gambier.
Principal of Yahl Primary School Chris Morrison and year 3 student Albie
Managing Director of the University of Adelaide's CUAA, Kiri Hagenus, says the decision to expand the program was a natural progression in the program's commitment to empower children and regional engagement.
"Mount Gambier is the largest regional city in South Australia and a natural next step for Children's University's growth," Hagenus says.
"The area is home to a vibrant and diverse population of young learners and has a strong educational infrastructure already supported by UniSA. As we move toward the formation of Adelaide University, this expansion allows us to tap into existing networks, create new collaborations, and support children and young people in imagining their futures through a university lens."
The expansion currently involves accredited learning experiences beyond the classroom for primary-aged children at selected schools in the Mount Gambier area. Through partnerships with local organisations, libraries, cultural institutions, and businesses, children are offered new learning opportunities beyond the classroom and earn recognition through awards and graduation ceremonies.
CUAA focuses on fostering curiosity and providing pathways that encourage children to see their passions as potential futures and offering insights into futures in higher education.
"Children's University inspires future generations with a love of life-long learning. It's not just about getting every student to university; it's about helping children explore their interests and understand that those interests can lead to extraordinary futures," Hagenus explains.
"These opportunities are deeply valued by families and schools and serve as powerful moments for building educational expectations and strengthening social and cultural capital.
The Mount Gambier program is launching in partnership with Yahl Primary School, Melaleuca Park Primary School, and the Mount Gambier Library. There are plans to extend to other Mount Gambier primary schools in the future, as well as high schools to support young people from age five through to 18 in being recognised for their learning journeys.
Chris Morrison, Principal of Yahl Primary School, says the partnership will make a lasting impact.
"For the school, it shows a strong commitment to enriching education and encouraging learning beyond the classroom," Morrison says.
"For our students, it opens exciting opportunities to explore new interests and take part in meaningful activities. It also makes them feel more confident and curious about the world around them, knowing that learning can happen anywhere -not just at school."
Yahl Primary School students are already excited about being part of the program.
"My favourite thing about university is how we get to do cool activities," says Year 3 student Albie. His classmate Iris says the new opportunities are a highlight.
"So far in Children's University, I have enjoyed using the green screen and baking with my friends," Iris says. "I'm looking forward to visiting new places and trying different activities that I don't usually do."
With more than 112 schools and Children's University Learning Hubs outside metropolitan Adelaide, CUAA has a strong and growing presence across regional South Australia, including the Limestone Coast, Riverland, Clare and Gilbert Valleys, Eyre Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, Mid North, Fleurieu Peninsula, Kangaroo Island and Murraylands.
The Children's University initiative began in the UK in the 1990s and is now offered globally. The University of Adelaide launched CUAA in Australia in 2013, where it saw the program's potential for exponential impact. CUAA's regional focus is central to its mission of increasing educational equity and fostering lifelong learning among young people.
"Our focus is on long-term, place-based engagement that supports children's learning beyond the classroom and increases their awareness of higher education as a realistic and achievable pathway," Hagenus says.
"The program is intentionally designed to reach underrepresented communities, and regional engagement is a cornerstone of this approach."
CUAA aims to build a sustainable model in Mount Gambier by securing funding for a dedicated local coordinator who will work closely with schools, families, and community partners.
"We see Mount Gambier as a hub for regional innovation in education, and CU's presence will be shaped by the needs and strengths of the community itself," Hagenus says.
"As we grow, we hope to expand our partnerships, reach more learners, and continue to contribute meaningfully to educational equity across the Limestone Coast."
