CUC Mudgee Region set to support study and skills
27 Mar 2024
The Country Universities Centre (CUC) is thrilled to celebrate the official opening of CUC Mudgee Region by Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan.
Through the NSW Government’s commitment to regional education, CUC Mudgee Region will play a significant role in empowering aspiring tertiary students throughout the community.
Local students will have access to face-to-face academic and wellbeing student services from local staff, a well-equipped facility with quiet study spaces, breakout rooms, high-speed internet, and a local learning community. The Centre will not only address the challenges of accessing higher education in regional areas but also contribute significantly to building a skilled workforce; tailored to the needs of the local community.
Minister Whan said today: “I am delighted to open this wonderful new facility in Mudgee which will give local students the opportunity to pursue further education without the need to leave their community.
“By providing a free, local alternative to the cost of moving to study in metropolitan areas, CUCs across NSW are lifting barriers to university study for rural and disadvantaged students.”
CUC Mudgee Region becomes the eleventh CUC supported by the NSW Government. In addition, the Centre has received financial and in-kind support from Mid-Western Regional Council, and Glencore.
Centre Manager, Kim Edwards said: “The support we’ve received from the government, Council, and industry has been fantastic. The community have thrown themselves behind the CUC, and it’s been overwhelmingly positive. The level of engagement from the students has also exceeded expectations. With over 50 students already registered – it’s clear that this was exactly what the community needed.”
Country Universities Centre welcomes the continued government commitment to increasing educational access in regional areas, providing community-led options for students to pursue further studies. For Mudgee, this investment not only enriches the educational landscape locally but also fosters economic growth and prosperity across the region.
Minister Whan said: “CUC Mudgee is an investment in the educational and economic well-being of the Mid-Western Region.
“We know the majority of students who have access to CUCs stay in the regions receive higher incomes and lift demand for local goods and services, creating a more liveable and vibrant regional community.
“It is just one of the ways the NSW Government is delivering on its commitment to rebuild and strengthen the regional communities that are the powerhouses of our State.”
4,448 regional students across NSW have been supported by CUC since 2017. The existing network saw NSW students from 41 universities and 150 other institutions study 616 unique courses.
About the CUC: The CUC is a network of 21 centres across NSW, QLD, and Vic. Each CUC provides regional students with physical infrastructure and face-to-face services from local staff. CUCs are community-owned and run by a local, skills-based volunteer board.