Uni funds support future: VC
THE University of Southern Queensland has welcomed additional spending in the Federal Budget for regional students and universities.
The government announced new bachelor level places for students studying in regional study hubs; from 185 commencing places in 2019, increasing to 500 in 2022, as well as an additional 500 sub-bachelor places for regional Australians.
An additional 2300 regional students will benefit from more funding to Youth Allowance to give improved access to education.
USQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Geraldine Mackenzie welcomed more spending in the Budget on medical research, research infrastructure, as well as agriculture and biosecurity.
“Reducing the budget deficit and getting into surplus from 2019-20 is a positive measure it is now time to invest in Australia’s future and increase spending on education,” she said.
Professor Mackenzie said that increasing funding to higher education was essential to regional economies and regional communities.
“Investing in education is investing in Australia’s future,” she said.
“Every time a student leaves a regional area to study at a metropolitan university lessens the chance they will return to that community.
“We need to provide the incentives for them to stay in the regions.
“These budget measures will help to keep more students studying in their regional communities, which is essential.”