Driving the push is Griffith University’s Logan campus, which has chalked up 20 years in Logan.

But skilling students for jobs of the future is only one facet to the Meadowbrook-based campus. Carving a niche as a community entity ready to champion Logan and all it offers is another.

The social role was at the forefront of Linda O’Brien’s mind when she took up the post of Pro-Vice Chancellor at Logan in September.

Since then, Ms O’Brien has been determined to promote Logan and its university as the epitome of community engagement, innovation and research.

Its popular Entrepreneurship Seminar Series, which matches businesses with ­researchers, attracted thousands last year.

At the other end of the market, the university has held innovation challenges in schools, to give prospective uni students a taste of what can be achieved.

“I’ve been bringing all the key stakeholders to Logan to think about the next 20 years and what the future might look like,” Ms O’Brien said.

“In looking at the Logan campus’s assets, the real opportunity we have because we are small, is to be able to weave together our teaching, research and the way we engage with the community to create new value and transform the community.”

This year, the university plans to launch a Regional Innovative Data Lab, aimed at solving longstanding urban problems.

It also unveiled plans expand its partnership with AEIOU, which provides early intervention for children with autism.

Its Yunus Social Business Centre is also expected to make headlines.