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Cr Nancy Sommerfield appointed to Study Toowoomba management committee ahead of inaugural AGM

The Toowoomba Regional Council has thrown its support behind a major new organisation to promote the city as an education destination, appointing a councillor as its representative on the body.

Toowoomba Regional Council’s Cr Nancy Sommerfield. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Toowoomba Regional Council’s Cr Nancy Sommerfield. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Cr Nancy Sommerfield has been named on the committee of Study Toowoomba, a body made up of representatives from the region’s vast education sector.

The concept was launched in 2017, with the organisation becoming incorporated in March this year thanks to funding from its stakeholders and the Queensland Government.

With education and training one of the largest industries in the Toowoomba region, Mayor Paul Antonio said the program would not only benefit the education sector, but also the rest of the economy.

“Our region is serious about being an education hub and the establishment of Study Toowoomba will initiate a major campaign to attract students from within Australia and internationally,” he said.

“We’ve been working with the Toowoomba region’s education and training industry to establish an independent organisation that will function as the peak industry body and work on increasing the industry’s contribution to the economy.

“Because of the importance of education to our region, the council has partnered with University of Southern Queensland, TAFE Queensland, and other regional education and training sector stakeholders to establish one voice for our education and training sector.

“While we would have loved to see this program up and running already, there have been a number of challenges we’ve had to overcome to get it to the point where we are now.”

Cr Antonio has stepped aside as interim chair, with Cr Sommerfield selected as council’s representative on the Study Toowoomba management committee.

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“As a former employee in the education sector here in Toowoomba, I’m fully aware of how important the industry is to this region,” she said.

“We currently have about 2154 international student enrolments in the Toowoomba Region which provides 636 jobs and $96 million to our economy.

“This is an exciting concept and by being on the committee, Council will have the opportunity to help in the strategic direction and management of Study Toowoomba.

“Study Toowoomba will hold its inaugural AGM later this month. I look forward to seeing how we can work together to ensure our Region prospers for years to come.”

The launch of Study Toowoomba has been made possible through a grant of $145,000 over two years from the Queensland Government under the International Education and Training Partnership Fund, with matching funding being provided by the TRC and USQ.

As a founding member, Toowoomba Regional Council has provided $35,000 per annum for three years to Study Toowoomba.

For more information about Study Toowoomba visit www.tr.qld.gov.au or contact Council on 131 872.

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Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/council/cr-nancy-sommerfield-appointed-to-study-toowoomba-management-committee-ahead-of-inaugural-agm/news-story/6b77e51f31d732fe00aa17d0d5bfa7a2