Uni of Queensland sets new goal for disadvantaged student enrolment

With the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games in mind, the University of Queensland is making a two pronged push to broaden higher education.

The University of Queensland's new premises in Brisbane CBD in the heritage listed former Queensland National Bank building which has been fitted out for the use of students, alumni and staff.

Ten years in advance of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, the University of Queensland is making a two-pronged push to broaden higher education and capitalise on economic opportunities.

Vice-chancellor Deborah Terry said the university had set a 2032 goal to lift the number of students it enrolled from lower socio-economic backgrounds and from regional and remote areas of Queensland. On Tuesday she announced the Queensland Commitment, which she said would deliver “generational change” to the state.

“Education and opportunity must be available for all Queenslanders and by 2032 we have committed to break down personal, financial and geographical barriers facing students aspiring to study at UQ,” Professor Terry said. The commitment, which applies to domestic undergraduate students, also includes a goal to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Professor Terry made the announcement at the university’s new Brisbane CBD premises, the historic Queensland National Bank building dating from the 1880s, whose atrium has been renovated into a meeting and networking hub for alumni, students and staff of the university.

She said the building, from the classical revival period, would be the new front door for the university into the CBD. “We have restored this important Queensland building in a way that preserves its history while creating an innovative and collaborative space that strengthens our connection to the city,” Professor Terry said.

Global business leader and UQ alumnus Andrew Liveris said the university’s new CBD hub would help position the state to capitalise on the economic and social opportunities from the 2032 Olympic Games.

“It will help foster partnerships as we work together to tackle the complex economic, strategic, climate and technological challenges facing Queensland and the nation,” said Mr Liveris, a former chief executive of Dow Chemical.

Professor Terry said the university’s new goal for disadvantaged student enrolment aimed to “break down personal, financial and geographical barriers facing students aspiring to study at UQ”.

In 2020, 15 per cent of domestic students came from regional or remote areas and about 10 per cent were from low socio-economic backgrounds. Combined, these students made up 22 per cent of domestic undergraduate students in 2020.

UQ also will boost its needs-based scholarships to ensure that the expanded number of students from disadvantaged backgrounds have support to study at university. It is seeking increased philanthropy pledges from donors to support more scholarships as student numbers grow.