Regional university study hub for Hay

By Tertia Butcher

A Regional University Study Hub has been announced for Hay.

The Country University Centre (CUC) in Hay will be co-located at the existing TAFE Connected Learning Centre, and is expected to open by the middle of the year.

The Centre will allow students in the region to remain connected with family, friends and local employment while undertaking their studies.

This comes as new data shows a 32 per cent increase in the past year of students using the existing 43 Study Hubs across the country.

The Hay CUC is one of 10 new Study Hubs located across the country that have been announced today.

Once these open, there will be 56 Regional University Study Hubs located across the country.

Study Hubs provide student support and campus-style facilities for students who are doing a university degree without having to leave their community.

Evidence shows that where they are, university participation increases. 

The current 43 Hubs support over 5,200 students, with the most popular courses among students at Regional University Study Hubs are in areas of skills need such as health (34 per cent) and education (17 per cent).

The new University Study Hubs are part of the Government’s response to the Universities Accord.

These 10 new Hubs are part of the Albanese Government’s $66.9 million investment to double the number of University Study Hubs across Australia, and builds on the recent announcement of the first 10 Suburban University Study Hubs, located in outer metropolitan areas.

Minister for Education, Jason Clare said almost one in two young people in their 20s and their 30s have a university degree.

“But not everywhere,” he added.

“Not in the outer suburbs and not in regional Australia.

“That’s why we are doubling the number of University Study Hubs, to bring university closer to them.

“We know they work.

“The evidence is they increase the number of people going to uni degree. 

“The Hay CUC is bringing university closer to people who live in Farrer and will encourage more people who otherwise might decide not to go to university at all to give it a crack.”

Assistant Minister for Education and Regional Development, Anthony Chisholm said each time a new hub in a regional, rural or remote community opens, an educational barrier that can stop people from getting a tertiary qualification is removed.

“The new Hay CUC will mean more young people in Farrer have the opportunity to stay in their communities and near their support networks while studying a tertiary qualification.

“I am thrilled that Hay has been successful in its bid to realise a Country Universities Centre.”

“Co-locating the CUC with the existing TAFE Connected Learning Centre means there will be even more options for local students who want to further their education and get ready for the future jobs our economy will need.”