$3.5 million to fund expansion of Springfield Campus

The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) plans to expand its Springfield Campus following the receipt of a $3.5 million Federal Government grant.
 
Minister for Education, Science and Training, Julie Bishop MP, announced the funding during a visit to the Toowoomba Campus today (Monday 14 May 2007).
 
'I am delighted to announce $3.5 million today for a new building at the Springfield Campus.
 
'These funds were allocated through the higher education Capital Development Pool (CDP) and will be used to expand facilities for courses in teaching, engineering and health services.'
 
USQ Chancellor, Bobbie Brazil, accepted the cheque on behalf of the University.
 
'I would like to thank Julie Bishop for attending today and presenting us with a cheque for $3.5 million.'
 
USQ Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bill Lovegrove, said the Springfield Campus has experienced strong growth since opening in January 2006.
 
'The campus is located in the rapidly-growing Brisbane/Ipswich corridor and, as we predicted, has experienced strong demand from school leavers and mature aged students.
 
'If the Campus continues to grow according to plan we will be out of space by 2011, so this money is crucial in ensuring we can continue to provide higher education opportunities to students in the region.'
 
Professor Lovegrove said the University will introduce new programs next year as part of this expansion plan.
 
'USQ will be offering Law at the Springfield Campus from Semester 1 next year. We are also introducing a Master of Professional Accounting and a Bachelor of Education (Special Needs).
 
'We are also exploring other opportunities and will therefore require space to be able to support these initiatives.'
 
The second Springfield building will be built adjacent to the existing building. The size and construction timeframe will be announced at a later date.

Media Contact: Connie-Louise Alexander, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2977