The future Bass Coast Regional University Centre in Wonthaggi By Catherine Watson
A NEW regional university centre will open in Wonthaggi for the first term of 2021.
Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan announced this morning that the Bass Coast Regional University Centre was one of nine new centres being established across regional Australia under the Government’s $53.2 million Regional University Centres program.
The university hub will enable students from Bass Coast and South Gippsland to link with any one of 31 universities around the country offering about 180 degrees. It will provide study spaces, academic support, video conferencing and other social and academic support for students.
A NEW regional university centre will open in Wonthaggi for the first term of 2021.
Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan announced this morning that the Bass Coast Regional University Centre was one of nine new centres being established across regional Australia under the Government’s $53.2 million Regional University Centres program.
The university hub will enable students from Bass Coast and South Gippsland to link with any one of 31 universities around the country offering about 180 degrees. It will provide study spaces, academic support, video conferencing and other social and academic support for students.
The idea originated in Cooma, in southern NSW, where it’s been operating successfully for about six years.
Bass Coast Mayor Brett Tessari said the university hub was a breakthrough for Bass Coast and an important boost to the region’s economic recovery.
“Currently about 50 per cent of our students don’t take up the option of tertiary study because they don’t want to leave home.
“We have so many others who start and drop out because the city’s not for them. It’s heart breaking. It knocks their confidence.”
“When we surveyed local students, nearly all said they would go to university if they could study locally.”
Cr Tessari said remote learning for senior students during the COVID crisis had been a good preparation, showing that many students thrived with the right support.
“I would hope to see up to 100 students in the first year, full time or part time. It’s not just young people. Older people can up their skills or change course in their careers.”
The hub will be based in a council building opposite the civic centre that formally housed the council’s engineers. It’s currently serving as a temporary base for some Bass Coast Health staff during the COVID crisis, but will soon be vacated. The Federal Government will pay for the fitout and operating costs for three years.
Bass Coast has entered into an agreement with Country University Centres, based in Cooma. The Bass Coast centre will be will be overseen by a board chaired by Martin Keogh, a former local school principal who chairs the Bass Coast Foundation.
The steering committee includes Cr Tessari, council CEO Ali Wastie and representatives from the education and other relevant sectors.
Cr Tessari paid tribute to the council team who worked on the project over the past year. He said they never gave up pushing Bass Coast’s credentials even when the announcement of the successful candidates, due in February, was derailed by the COVID crisis.
Monash federal MP Russell Broadbent said the centre would boost opportunities for local students to gain skills and qualifications and increase employment opportunities in our region.
Bass Coast Mayor Brett Tessari said the university hub was a breakthrough for Bass Coast and an important boost to the region’s economic recovery.
“Currently about 50 per cent of our students don’t take up the option of tertiary study because they don’t want to leave home.
“We have so many others who start and drop out because the city’s not for them. It’s heart breaking. It knocks their confidence.”
“When we surveyed local students, nearly all said they would go to university if they could study locally.”
Cr Tessari said remote learning for senior students during the COVID crisis had been a good preparation, showing that many students thrived with the right support.
“I would hope to see up to 100 students in the first year, full time or part time. It’s not just young people. Older people can up their skills or change course in their careers.”
The hub will be based in a council building opposite the civic centre that formally housed the council’s engineers. It’s currently serving as a temporary base for some Bass Coast Health staff during the COVID crisis, but will soon be vacated. The Federal Government will pay for the fitout and operating costs for three years.
Bass Coast has entered into an agreement with Country University Centres, based in Cooma. The Bass Coast centre will be will be overseen by a board chaired by Martin Keogh, a former local school principal who chairs the Bass Coast Foundation.
The steering committee includes Cr Tessari, council CEO Ali Wastie and representatives from the education and other relevant sectors.
Cr Tessari paid tribute to the council team who worked on the project over the past year. He said they never gave up pushing Bass Coast’s credentials even when the announcement of the successful candidates, due in February, was derailed by the COVID crisis.
Monash federal MP Russell Broadbent said the centre would boost opportunities for local students to gain skills and qualifications and increase employment opportunities in our region.