UQ to sell its Ipswich campus

Disappointing student numbers are behind plans by one of Queensland's most prestigious universities to sell its Ipswich campus by 2015.

The University of Queensland is now mid-way through a due diligence phase to sell its UQ-Ipswich campus to the Toowoomba-based, University of Southern Queensland.

USQ is set to take over UQ's Ipswich campus.

An announcement is likely to be made on July 17 and the recommended changes likely to come into effect from semester one in 2015.

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale said he did not think UQ was "100 per cent" committed to UQ-Ipswich.

"I don't think that the UQ has had a 100 per cent commitment to the campus out there," Cr Pisasale said.

"It is going to be their loss, because the growth is in the western corridor," he said.

UQ began talks with the USQ 12 months ago.

Professor Alan Rix, Pro-Vice Chancellor at UQ agreed low student numbers were behind the proposed change.

"The University of Queensland and the University of Southern Queensland entered discussions due to the need to increase enrolments at the Ipswich campus and to address local workforce skills need."

UQ-Ipswich opened in 1999 and this year has 2000 students enrolled in health sciences, arts, medicine, nursing, midwifery and paramedic science courses.

Many of UQ-Ipswich's health courses are linked to the Ipswich General Hospital. These courses will remain.

USQ expanded from Toowoomba to nearby Springfield in 2006. By 2013 2002 students were enrolled at Springfield, which offers arts, education, business, engineering, law and psychology courses.

The memorandum of understanding now being debated between UQ and USQ is geared towards attracting more students with a different course mix.

Cr Pisasale said it was time "to stop focussing on is the old school tie", instead focussing on education needs in the western corridor.

He said that could include more manufacturing and industry-styled qualifications.

Sources said it was "extremely unlikely" USQ would merge its Springfield campus with the Ipswich campus if the agreement goes ahead.

In a statement, UQ Pro-Vice Chancellor Peter Høj acknowledged the two universities had different appeals.

“USQ and UQ have different missions and different strengths, and we need to explore how we can increase access to university education in the Ipswich region," Professor Høj said.

“It may be that the two universities can deliver more for the state and its people by this collaboration.”

Students now enrolled at UQ-Ipswich will be able to finish their degrees at UQ most likely at the St Lucia campus, if the move goes ahead.

Fairfax Media could not ascertain any financial implications of the potential ownership change for the Ipswich land and buildings.

Most of the land and buildings were gifted to UQ to start the university in 1996, located on the heritage-listed Challinor Centre psychiatric hospital site. The freehold title was transferred to the university in 1998 by the Queensland Government.

Professor Rix said the land was given to UQ to establish a campus and the two institutions would work collaboratively on detailed planning, on how a transfer might be implemented, the use of buildings and facilities and the impact on staff and students.

USQ Vice Chancellor Jan Thomas said UQ would "transfer buildings and facilities" at the campus to USQ.

She said USQ, in turn, would broaden the type of courses offered at the Ipswich campus.

"The future focus for Ipswich will be about strengthening the use of the campus by broadening enrolments, diversifying program choice and ensuring the range of programs available through the campus continues to meet the employability needs of local business and industry."