Mid-Western Regional Council voted unanimously to provide in principle support and seek grant funding for the establishment of a Country Universities Centre (CUC) in Mudgee, at their November meeting on Wednesday.
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The not-for-profit organisation's goal is to make tertiary education more accessible for the state's regional and remote communities.
A Mudgee CUC - proposed to be located at the Mudgee TAFE campus - would provide a dedicated learning space for university and other tertiary students currently studying by correspondence.
According to Commonwealth Department of Education figures submitted to Council, there are currently 212 tertiary students in Mudgee that are external (studying online) and 55 are multimodal (external with residential schools).
The recommendation is also to authorise Council staff to work with CUC to seek grant funding and to coordinate the establishment of a Mudgee Board.
Cr Peter Shelley said that while it's a "fantastic initiative" he did flag concerns regarding funding into the future, given it's an education project and therefore should be funded by the State Government.
"What does concern me is that the grant funding is available for three-four years, then the State Government will cost-shift down to ratepayers," he said. "But for this initial report, and to get it going, I fully support it - as I'm pretty sure everyone else does."
Cr Russell Holden said he shared his concerns, "but we'll deal with that in three years time, in the meantime I think it's a fantastic opportunity".
NSW Government funding exists to open additional centres, and Mudgee has been identified as an appropriate location due to the current population and diverse economy. Further, $15m in Commonwealth Government funding is currently available to establish and support the operation of centres.
Space requirements are for; a terminal room (at least 80 square metres); large tutorial room (to accommodate at least 20 people); two small break out rooms (10-20 square metres); social area (indoor and also possibly outdoor); kitchenette with refrigerator, microwave, tea/coffee facilities; and toilets.
A Centre Manager would be employed prior to opening, to address refurbishment and technology installation and create awareness of the new educational opportunities in the community. The position would be funded through the establishment and grant funding sought.
And there may be, in future, the opportunity for casual staff, volunteers and mentors to assist with the CUC.
Centres don't charge students for the use of the facility and the support that is provided.
In early 2018, CUC Far West (in Broken Hill) and CUC Goulburn were established, and centres in Narrabri, Moree, Grafton, Griffith and Leeton have also recently opened.
More information at cuc.org.au/
