USQ wins multi-million dollar project grant

Christmas came early for the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) today with the Rudd Government injecting more than $8 million into the University to develop teaching and learning initiatives and to increase enrolment opportunities for students.

USQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Bill Lovegrove said the $8 million grant will allow the University to undertake a number of projects to improve learning and teaching infrastructure across its campuses at Toowoomba, Springfield and Fraser Coast.

He said the funds will target the development of new infrastructure projects as well as the upgrading of existing facilities.

'As well as giving us the opportunity to build on our first class teaching initiatives to support student learning experiences and deliver top quality skilled graduates, the flow on effect into our regional economies will be significant.'

The funds form part of a federal government $500 million investment into higher education universities through a new Teaching and Learning Capital Fund.

'It has been a $10 million week for the university. Last Thursday we were awarded nearly $1.6 million to establish easier pathways for students from TAFE and Vocational Education Trainers (VET) to enrol in USQ courses and won another $480 000 for cancer research,' Professor Lovegrove said.

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