Better access to and support for those wishing to undertake tertiary studies in their local community is now a reality with work underway on a new state-of-the-art Country Universities Centre (CUC) in Ulladulla.
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Minister for Local Government and Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock said the tailored learning space for local residents wanting to access quality tertiary education in the region, supported by the NSW Government, is taking shape and will open during semester two this year.
"It's exciting to see this project underway and to walk through what will soon become a dedicated study hub for tertiary students in this community," Mrs Hancock said.
"This means prospective students will not have to leave the region to undertake their studies, and they can stay connected to their family and their friends, which is a huge positive in the long run."
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said the NSW Government was committed to making tertiary education more accessible for students.
"This is a real investment and real commitment to regional education and will mean local students can work and learn and support regional industries without leaving town," Mr Lee said.
"This investment will make the Ulladulla CUC the second largest in NSW."
The CUC Southern Shoalhaven has received co-contributions from the NSW and Federal Governments, to help deliver equity of opportunity for regional students.
CUC Southern Shoalhaven Chair Wayne Dedden said the new building will ensure local students have access to a high-tech learning environment complete with high-speed internet, available at no cost to university students.
"We will open our doors to this purpose-built study space as soon as construction is completed, which we anticipate will be this September," Mr Dedden said.
"Students studying at any Australian University will be able to register for free with the Centre and utilise its facilities.
We want to help create a pipeline of highly skilled locals who in turn will boost local productivity and local regional development."
In 2019, the NSW Government backed the expansion of the successful CUC initiative with an additional $8 million in funding.
The CUC Southern Shoalhaven was endorsed by the NSW Government to be one of five new centres established under this funding.
Currently, there are twelve CUCs across fifteen locations. To find out more about the CUC, visit www.cuc.edu.au.
Any interested student can contact centre manager Adam Gowen at adam.gowen@cucsouthernshoalhaven.edu.au