The significant contribution the University of Southern Queensland makes every year to its communities was revealed today as the university threw its support behind a plan to unlock the full potential of regional Australia.
USQ is responsible every year for an estimated injection of $411.7 million into the Queensland economy, according to research conducted by the Regional Universities Network (RUN), of which USQ is a founding member.
The study also shows USQ is responsible for $255.4 million in household income and 3113 full-time equivalent jobs across the state.
The research was conducted to highlight the significant contribution regional universities make to their communities as RUN today (March 14, 2013) launched its policy statement — Smarter Regions, Smarter Australia — which details a variety of ways in which government can unlock the full human potential of regional Australia.
RUN Chair Professor David Battersby said RUN universities were already helping to unlock this potential by improving opportunities for people to access higher education.
“Adopting the policies we’ve articulated would contribute to Australia achieving the level of graduate skills needed to ensure its international competitiveness and help strengthen communities across the nation,” Professor Battersby said.
Participating in a video link-up with other RUN leaders, Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Jan Thomas said USQ was positioning itself as the “go-to” centre for solutions and expert advice on issues specific to regional communities.
“USQ boasts world-renowned researchers in agricultural engineering and sustainable communities — these are two crucial areas for the strengthening of regions right across the globe,” the Vice-Chancellor said.
“This is a university that punches well above its weight in terms of the contribution it makes and regional centres like Toowoomba are the economic engine rooms of our nation.”
Professor Thomas said it was important that the critical role of regional universities was recognised as Australia prepares for the Federal election in September.
“USQ has a long history of success in the provision of accessible, high quality education to one of the country’s most diverse cohort of students,” she said.
RUN’s policy document builds on some of the themes raised last month in the Universities Australia policy plan,
A Smarter Australia.
RUN universities teach more than 100,000 students across 29 campuses or 9% of enrolments in Australian public universities. They educate 25% of Australia’s regional higher education students, 34% of its distance education students, 16% of its low socio-economic students, 15% of its Indigenous students and 32% of its students in enabling courses.
The RUN policy plan and all associated materials can be downloaded from
www.run.edu.au
Media contact;
Jim Campbell, USQ Media, +617 4631 2977, jim.campbell@usq.edu.au
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