The volume of interest in the federal government’s proposed regional study hubs has prompted the federal Education Department to extend the deadline for submissions on the criteria for applications.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The $15 million four-year plan would see eight community-owned regional study hubs established to help regional and distance students access better infrastructure and technology.
The plan would fund six new regional study hubs and two already existing on the mainland.
Regional study hubs would provide study spaces, video conferencing, computer facilities and internet access for distance students at university, as well as pastoral and academic support.
University of Tasmania Pro-Vice Chancellor for Community, Partnerships and Regional Development David Adams said the university would be making a submission.
“We believe a sustainable, place-based approach to regional learning is crucial to the future of education in Tasmania, and for similar areas around the country, and it is a belief that has guided our efforts for some time,” he said.
The hubs are part of the federal government’s education reform package, seeking to improve access and attainment rates for rural and regional students, and are specifically designed to support students who stay in their regional communities.
Applicants to run such a study hub are not required to be a university, but will be assessed against the level of accessibility to university courses, third-party funding commitment, and the number of services offered by applicants.
Professor Adams said one of the most important things for the university was creating more opportunities for all Tasmanians to gain an education.
“Senior academics from the university have been in ongoing conversations with communities around the state, from the West Coast to the East Coast, about how we can best work together to provide educational pathways,” he said.
“It will be important to work in partnership with regional communities, TasTAFE, the Department of Education, and all levels of government to deliver sustainable, accessible and useful education in our regional areas.”
Submissions on the government’s proposed criteria for applications have been extended to Monday, March 26.
The department then plans to open applications directly on March 29.
Submissions can be made by emailing equity@education.gov.au
