UNE's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Brigid Heywood, visited Country University Centre (CUC) North West to formally recognise a partnership agreement between UNE and CUC, extending UNE’s decades-long commitment to improving educational outcomes in remote, rural and regional Australia.
Through the partnership, UNE is providing training and guidance for CUC local staff in student and academic support, streamlined access to UNE specialist staff, and access to UNE resources for students.
Country Universities Centres provide increased access to tertiary education for students in regional, remote and rural areas by providing local university support and tertiary preparedness as well as continuing support for students throughout their tertiary studies.
CUC North West operates in Moree and Narrabri. It is one of six community-governed Centres operating from eight regional NSW towns.
“This partnership sits squarely within UNE's mission to be of the regions, for the regions,"
Professor Heywood said. "The University exists to increase knowledge creation, education and innovation in regional areas. Working with CUC North West gives us new opportunities to expand placement opportunities for regional students.”
CUC CEO, Duncan Taylor, said “CUC is already working closely with UNE in developing successful models of support for UNE students in CUC Centres across the eight existing regional locations.
The CUC is delighted to be now working with UNE to expand these supports for UNE students across the seven additional CUC sites funded under the very recently announced Commonwealth Regional University Centre program.”
The government's announcement of Regional University Centres funding made in June will allow the CUC to open seven new sites, starting with Parkes in late 2020, then rolling out sites in regional NSW, regional QLD and regional Victoria in early 2021.
Quick Stats:
- During Trimester 1 2020, 160 UNE students registered were registered across the CUC network. 41 students were registered with CUC North West.
- Statistics of UNE students registered with CUC:
- 74% undergraduate students
- 16% postgraduate students
- 9% sub-bachelor or tertiary pathways students
- CUC North West and CUC Clarence Valley have been the most popular centres with UNE students, with 41 and 35 students respectively.
- Through the CUC network, tertiary students have access to dedicated study facilities 7am – midnight seven days per week, as well as wrap around support from Centre Managers and Learning Skills Advisors.
- All CUC Centres operate with a local Board of Directors, ensuring the CUC operations reflect the needs and make-up of the local community.
Current CUC Centres:
- CUC North West (Moree and Narrabri)
- CUC Snowy Monaro (Cooma)
- CUC Goulburn
- CUC Western Riverina (Griffith and Leeton)
- CUC Clarence Valley (Grafton)
- CUC Far West (Broken Hill)
Future CUC Centres funded through the Regional University Centres funding
- CUC Parkes (NSW) opening late 2020
- CUC Macleay Valley (Kempsey, NSW) opening 2021
- CUC Southern Shoalhaven (Ulladulla, NSW) opening 2021
- CUC Roma (QLD) opening 2021
- CUC Balone (St George and Dirranbandi, QLD) opening 2021
- Bass Coast University Centre (Wonthaggi, VIC) opening 2021
