Country Universities Centre (CUC) Southern Downs and Study King Island have officially opened thanks to funding provided under the Australian Government's Regional University Study Hubs program.
CUC Southern Downs is the tenth Regional University Study Hub to open in Queensland while Study King Island is Tasmania's second regional hub. These new hubs will enable more regional and remote students to pursue a tertiary education without leaving behind their friends, families and community.
The hubs provide students with facilities including computers, high-speed internet and breakout spaces, as well as academic skills and administrative support.
In addition, CUC Southern Downs, co-located in Warwick's TAFE campus, will offer tailored support for local First Nations students and those from migrant backgrounds.
Study King Island is the second hub to be operated by West Coast Heritage in Tasmania, extending tertiary education access opportunities to the residents of King Island. The new hub will build on the success of the existing hub - Study Hub West Coast - which has supported over 330 students across two sites since opening in 2019.
Minister for Education, the Hon Jason Clare MP, said:
"Today, almost one in two young people have a university degree. But not everywhere. Not in the outer suburbs and not in regional Australia.
"In the years ahead more jobs will require more skills.
"The government has set a target that by 2050, 80 per cent of workers will have a TAFE or university qualification.
"To hit that target we have to break down that invisible barrier that stops a lot of people from the bush getting a crack at going to university.
"The evidence is that where Study Hubs are, university participation goes up. That's why we are doubling the number of Hubs across the country."
There are 56 Regional University Study Hubs located across Australia, with 47 hubs currently open and operating. The remaining 9 hubs are expected to open during 2025.
Regional University Study Hubs have supported 15,253 students since the program began.
