Government should help our universities grow

IF YOU want to grow the Toowoomba region, we need to make sure our universities are properly funded.

IF YOU want to grow the Toowoomba region, we need to make sure our universities are properly funded.

The statistics speak for themselves.

It is clear higher education facilities like the University of Southern Queensland don't just bring people to our region.

These graduates are staying here to live and work upon graduation at a much higher rate than their city counterparts.

Whether it's health or education, they are leaving the lecture room skilled up in services that are vital to these regional hubs.

We live in a city where the population continues to swell, and tertiary students are undoubtedly a major factor in generating that growth.

We need to make sure our governments take advantage of this vital resource.

This is why they need to take note of USQ vice chancellor Professor Geraldine Mackenzie when she says the facility is in need of specialist funding ahead of next week's federal budget.

Professor Mackenzie said this funding would allow USQ to expand facilities and student numbers.

Is there anyone who wouldn't welcome that growth to the Garden City?

If we can continue to grow the USQ campus, we can continue to grow the economy of Toowoomba.

And we will all benefit from that.

Originally published as Government should help our universities grow