Dedicated Learning Space for Students in the Cowra Region
Published on 23 June 2023
It’s been three years in the making, but the official opening of the Country University Centre Cowra Region took place today to celebrate the new facility that will enable students to undertake degree qualifications locally.
Cowra Mayor, Cr Bill West said the CUC will provide students with better access to quality higher education so that they may remain in the local area, connected with the community, contributing to a prosperous future for the Cowra Region.
“Country Universities Centres mean that accessing higher education is so much easier than it has been previously. The Centres have everything a student needs including modern technology, fast internet, space to study and those all-important student networks,” Cr West said.
With 19 students already enrolled, the CUC Cowra Region is locally driven and governed by a community Board with representatives from local government, the local education community, local business and local youth.
Chair of the CUC Cowra Region Board and Council’s Community Development Officer, Linda Barron, believes the establishment of a Country Universities Centre in the Cowra region is meeting a strong demand for improved tertiary education supports in the local area.
“We know from the Cowra Youth Council’s research that our young people will benefit from improved access to study facilities. Perhaps even more importantly, the CUC Cowra Region will provide a place where university students of all ages can connect with like-minded people, helping to break down the isolation many remote learners face,” Mrs Barron said.
Local Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke MP said this facility is great news for young people who would like to stay closer to the community while undertaking their studies.
“The number of young people in the 18-24yr age group leaving the Cowra area is substantial. The impetus to move to a larger regional or metropolitan centre in order to undertake tertiary studies is a major contributing factor to youth migration from the Cowra region," Ms Cooke said.
Country Universities Centre CEO, Chris Ronan said the Cowra community will benefit greatly from having a local CUC Centre.
“It will support students to stay in their community while successfully studying their chosen course, adding to the liveability of the region and setting up the workforce to have the knowledge and qualifications for the challenges of the future," Mr Ronan said.
NSW Government funding of $1.27 million was announced in November 2022 for the CUC Cowra Region. The Centre has also received significant support from Cowra Council and the Weir Trust.
More information on the Country Universities Centre network can be found at - https://www.cuc.edu.au/our-centres/
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