CQ Uni’s Prof Nick Klomp appointed regional uni chairman
Professor Klomp says this is a critical time for regional universities with education reforms and COVID recovery.
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Central Queensland University’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Nick Klomp, has been appointed the new chairman of the Regional Universities Network.
Mr Klomp will succeed University of Sunshine Coast Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Helen Bartlett, as chair of Australia’s peak body for higher education providers.
An excited Professor Klomp said now was a critical time for the Regional Universities Network RUN, pointing to education reforms and COVID recovery as critical factors.
“Now, more than ever, regional universities are absolutely critical to Australia’s productivity and to the social fabric of our nation,” he said.
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“They change lives for the better, creating highly employable graduates and producing groundbreaking research to meet the ever-evolving industry and community needs of regional Australia.
“Over the past nine years, RUN has been a great champion for the crucial work of our regional universities and has represented our interests well at the national level, but there is still much work to do.”
Prof Klomp said he would fight to ensure the interests of regional universities weren’t forgotten.
“As incoming chair, I’m looking forward to continuing to ensure that our regional universities get a seat at the national decision-making table, and that government policy and legislation is enacted in the very best interests of the regions,” he said.
“Our regional students and researchers deserve their fair share of resources, funding and favourable policy – anything less is selling regional Australia short.”
He also thanked and commended Professor Bartlett for her effective leadership of RUN during her term as chair.
Professor Bartlett said that it had been an honour to serve as chair of RUN since mid-2018, a period of significant higher education policy reform and increased focus on regional universities, students and communities.
“Over this period, RUN has been very active in making submissions, presenting vital evidence from the regions and engaging constructively with key politicians on a range of policy issues that are critically important to regional education and regional development.
“The Job-ready Graduates package made some significant concessions to measures advocated for by RUN, including more funding for student places in regional campuses, financial incentives for regional students and additional funding for research at regional universities, which demonstrates that our lobbying is having an impact and politicians are listening,” Professor Bartlett said.
“Now is not the time to take our foot off the accelerator – we must continue advocating for the needs of regional students and researchers,” she said.
“The impact of COVID-19 has further highlighted the value of regional universities to their communities and the economic recovery of the regions.
“All RUN members look forward to working with Professor Klomp as we continue to advocate for our regions.
“Addressing equity in education for regional Australians will take a generation and must remain a focus for future policy and program development.”
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