Innisfail uni hub opens at library for tertiary education students
A new university centre with modern tech and on-site support has opened in a regional Far North community to help students complete tertiary education remotely, but not alone.
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The doors to higher education for a regional Far North community are set to open on Monday, enhancing university access for students living hours from the nearest established campus.
The Cassowary Coast University Centre, an initiative of Vocational Partnerships Group will open a student hub at the Innisfail Library, just over a year after a similar centre was established at the Tablelands – which has attracted over 100 students from that region.
The new hub will feature “modern facilities” including computers, dual monitors, options for BYO devices, high-speed internet and on-site support.
The proposal was first brought to the attention of the Far Northern not-for-profit education and workplace facilitator by Cassowary Coast Regional Youth Advisory Committee member, local Innisfail teacher, and student pursuing a Master of Governance and Public Policy – Tamara Gillard.
“I know how difficult it is to navigate just logging into a university portal and selecting subjects and all of those initial steps which is really isolating, so I think that having a team of people who can support with that and other students where they can go through those experiences together will be really useful,” Ms Gillard said.
The Innisfail hub will be open seven days a week from 5am to 11pm via swipe access for registered students, and the facility will have two staff available most weekdays from 9am to 4.30pm to assist with academic and wellbeing support.
Cassowary Coast University Centre co-ordinator Karina Messina said the hub would be a boost for both local students and the workforce – by enhancing skills and qualifications to address regional shortages.
“By offering a local alternative to moving away for education, we’re enabling students to stay connected to their community while pursuing higher education,” Ms Messina said.
“VPG’s goal at the CCUC is to offer every student, regardless of their background or postcode, similar levels of support and opportunities as those in urban areas.”
The hub’s first enrolled student Tara Larsen said she was no stranger to remote study as she pursued a qualification in health.
“I’ve always been passionate about the medical field and dreamt of becoming a doctor, a nurse, or a paramedic. And, recently, I developed a strong interest in diagnostics,” she said.
“To pursue this pathway, I completed a university bridging course remotely in 2023, and I’m now studying a Bachelor of Medical Sonography with CQUniversity.
“Studying remotely has definitely had its challenges; it can be pretty lonely and isolating at times, and I also struggle with poor internet access at home. I’m also really looking forward to being able to study around other people.”
The centre will be free to all registered students studying with any Australian university or tertiary education institution.
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Originally published as Innisfail uni hub opens at library for tertiary education students
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