Stars of uni-verse lighting up Coast
A STUDY has found Gold Coast universities form a backbone of the city and are a driving force in the regional economy.
Southern Cross and Griffith universities build a skilled workforce, increase wages and drive demand, according to the most recent study involving Southern Cross and a previous study for Griffith.
Southern Cross, the only one of the three local campuses to be part of the sixmember Regional Universities Network (RUN) and its study, contributed to seven out of 10 working graduates being employed in a regional area, compared to just two out of 10 of all Australian university graduates.
Vice Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker said the study “nailed the economic impact clearly”.
“It’s an absolutely authoratative and helpful study. We knew regional campuses didn’t just act more as magnets, they’re accelerators, and (I was) pleased to see it affirmed and authorised by stats,’’ he said. “We know that locals really benefit and end up working close to the campus ... and those who come to the region as a result of the course find employment here and stick around.”
Griffith University, although outside the RUN study umbrella, had figures similar to the RUN statistics, further cementing its importance to the community.
In 2017, an externally commissioned report into the benefits of Griffith University found the annual economic contribution to southeast Queensland was upwards of $1.9 billion, with $800 million benefiting the Gold Coast region alone.
Griffith’s senior deputy vice chancellor, Professor Ned Pankhurst, said the Gold Coast was the largest of Griffith’s five campuses with more than 20,000 students.
“(It’s) become an internationally renowned research powerhouse in its own right,’’ he said.
The independent study had shown that in addition to the current employment of around 2000 jobs on the Gold Coast, Griffith also created upwards of 3000 extra working positions.
Bond University statistics show the university has produced 19,000 domestic graduates, more than 5000 of whom are working Gold Coast economy.
The university also has direct expenditure of $325 million ($200 million by the university on operations and capital, plus $125 million by students on accommodation, food and visitors, plus flowon of $435 million), giving a total impact of $760 million (1.3% of the Gold Coast total economic output).
RUN chairman Greg Hill said its study showed graduates worked in the regions across a range of disciplines including health and education, engineering, agriculture and environmental studies. in the