Country Universities Centre Western Downs set to open in Chinchilla as part of Regional University Study Hubs program

Tertiary students in Chinchilla will have the opportunity to study locally following the introduction of a new university hub. Details here.

Chinchilla locals will soon have access to first-class tertiary education after being selected as the location for one of 10 new Regional University Study Hubs.

The federal government announced the Chinchilla UniHub along with a new centre in Warwick and a new Central Western Queensland facility, which will service the Longreach, Barcaldine, Blackall, Winton, Boulia, Bedourie, Birdsville, and Jundah communities.

Along with the existing sites, the new facilities are expected to support nearly 4000 students, studying more than 1000 different courses, through more than 200 tertiary education providers.

Leader of The Nationals and Maranoa MP David Littleproud said the announcement would help Western Downs locals pursue their dreams of higher education, without having to leave their hometown.

“These facilities are vital in upskilling our future generations to help combat the skilled-labour shortage regional areas are facing, while also allowing them to continue to live and work in the communities they call home,” Mr Littleproud said.

“The existing Regional University Study Hubs in St George-Dirranbandi, Roma, and Goondiwindi have achieved enormous success in recent years and I’m confident these new facilities will be no different.

“It gives me great pride to have helped secure these exciting new Regional University Study Hubs for our Maranoa electorate.”

UniSQ executive director (strategic liaison education community) Helen Nolan.

University of Southern Queensland’s executive director Helen Nolan said the existing sites had gone a long way to improving the region’s “social capital”.

“It is a fabulous opportunity to support regional students to access higher education without leaving their home towns, meaning they have family support and the opportunity for work locally which builds social capital,” she said.

“There are more than 40 of these centres throughout Australia and it is evident in each area how they’ve grown the social capital.

“Each of those have played a significant part in supporting students through their studies and ensuring they have support networks around them with dedicated study spaces with high speed internet so it’s fabulous.”

Ms Nolan said there would be a range of courses on offer at the Chinchilla UniHub.

“Any course that you can do online, which through at our university is 90 per cent of courses you can do at the UniHub,” she said.

“They are an inviting modern space with collaboration spaces, spaces for working individually, access to tea and coffee and a general welcoming environment supported by a centre manager to ensure access to university connections.

“They are a great opportunity for students who have always thought about studying and haven’t thought it was the right time but having a centre like this means it’s now the right time.

“It will also be used for students who come into the area for placement.

“We would reasonably expect 100 students at Chinchilla within 12-18 months.”

Originally published as Country Universities Centre Western Downs set to open in Chinchilla as part of Regional University Study Hubs program