Federal Nationals Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, is calling on community-owned organisations across the New England to apply for funding to establish and operate a Regional University Study Hub.
Applications are currently open for the 2023 Application Round of the Regional University Study Hub Program, which will see up to 10 study hubs established across regional and remote Australia in 2024.
The New England is already very well serviced in terms of study hubs. The University of New England currently operates hubs in Tamworth, Taree, and Paramatta, as well as 24 hour study centres in Coonabarabran, Glen Innes, Gunnedah, Guyra, Inverell, Tenterfield, Moree and Narrabri. Country University Centres, who currently receive most of the funding under this program, operate in Moree and Narrabri.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for university students in the New England’s smaller towns to benefit from a study hub, where online and distance students would be provided some of the same amenities and services that on-campus students enjoy,” Mr Joyce said.
“Where you live should not define your educational limits. City-based students have access to multimillion-dollar state-of-the-art facilities and support programs, whilst those choosing to stay in regional communities and study via distance aren’t able to benefit from them, despite paying similar if not equal fees to study.
“These study hubs go a long way to reduce the city-country education divide by providing administrative and academic support services, study spaces and IT facilities, as well as providing a network for local students to connect and collaborate.”
“I’m pleased the current government has also recognised the importance of supporting regional education and has chosen to continue the program.
“I hope to see the New England benefit from the current round of the program, as other regions across NSW have”, Mr Joyce said.
Applications for the program close at 5pm, 15 December 2023.
More information can be found at https://www.education.gov.au/regional-university-study-hubs
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