Copper Coast celebrates official opening

The Copper Coast Council University Centre at Kadina officially opened today, providing opportunities for more students from the region to access tertiary education and training.

The Australian Government is providing $1.11 million to help establish the Kadina centre – one of nine additional centres funded under the $74.2 million announced to date for the Regional University Centres program.

Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said the centre will provide essential support to students in the Yorke Peninsula region who study by distance with any Australian education institution.

“The Copper Coast Council University Centre will offer students modern technology, high speed internet and academic and administrative support to help them thrive and succeed,” Mr Ramsey said.

“Importantly, it means local students have improved access to university education and training opportunities, without needing to leave home and relocate interstate.”

Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge said the Regional University Centre program was supporting 1620 students late last year, across 16 centres already in operation, and it is anticipated more than 300 students would initially be supported by the additional nine new centres.

“The Australian Government is committed to improving opportunities for students in regional and remote communities to access tertiary education and gain job-ready qualifications,” Minister Tudge said.

“Since 2016, the Government has invested more than $1 billion so that more students from regional and remote communities can access high-quality tertiary education.

“As well as benefiting students, it also helps local businesses and industry access job-ready graduates and strengthens regional economies.”

Minister for Decentralisation and Regional Education Andrew Gee said the Copper Coast centre is a dedicated learning and study space designed by locals, to meet the needs of their region.

“Australia has world-class education institutions but young people who live in country Australia are still half as likely to be university educated as their city cousins,” Minister Gee said.

“This centre will help level the playing field on that country-city divide. It’s about equality of opportunity for regional Australians.

“The Yorke Peninsula region is expected to experience a population growth reaching 100,000 people by 2036, and the Copper Coast Council University Centre will provide important opportunities for locals to study to support regional growth and development.”

There are six further Regional University Centres set to open in 2021. Beyond the 18 centres currently in operation, these new centres will expand the RUC network to include Macleay Valley (Kempsey), Southern Shoalhaven (Ulladulla), Maranoa (Roma), Balonne (St George and Dirranbandi), Taree, and Great Southern (Albany). Country Universities Centre Parkes was opened in November 2020 and CUC Bass Coast in Wonthaggi was officially opened in late March 2021.

To find out more information about Copper Coast Council University Centre, visit: Regional University Centres - Department of Education, Skills and Employment, Australian Government (dese.gov.au)