Submission Number 149

SUBMISSION TO THE

REVIEW OF

HIGHER EDUCATION

FINANCING AND POLICY

Submitted by:

The Sunraysia Higher

Education Board

of the

Sunraysia Institute of TAFE

Mrs. Marie Schlemme

Council President Chairman

Mr Ian Ryan

SHEB

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION.............................................................3

THE REGION...................................................................3

EXTENDED CAMPUS (SUNRAYSIA).............................5

LA TROBE UNIVERSITY, MILDURA.............................5

OTHER UNIVERSITIES...................................................5

TERMS OF REFERENCE

(A)....................................................................................6

'the equality of opportunity to participate in higher

education'

and

'That financial, social and geographic factors do not

act as barrier to higher education for appropriately

qualified students within Australia.'

(B)....................................................................................8

'The need to ensure that Government funding

mechanisms support a national system of higher

education, in which it is recognised that universities

play a vital role in regional economies.'

(C)....................................................................................9

'The Interfaces between the higher education sector and

the vocational education and schools sector operate

efficiently and effectively.'

(D)..................................................................................10

'The use of advanced communications technologies

in teaching, and in libraries and other teaching

and research infrastructure.'

(E)...................................................................................11

'Sources of finance for higher education'

(F) ..................................................................................12

'Historical trends and likely future directions in the

level and nature of demand for higher education.'

CONCLUSION...............................................................13

LETTERS OF SUPPORT ..............................................14

BIBLIOGRAPHY ..........................................................15

INTRODUCTION

The Sunraysia Higher Education Board is a committee of the Council of Sunraysia Institute of TAFE and provides advice to the Council on matters relating to the provision of higher education in the region. Board members are drawn from industry and the community who are able to contribute towards the development of higher education in our region.

The Board's mission is to 'foster a University environment and the provision of quality University education in our region'.

Since 1986 Sunraysia Institute of TAFE has formed partnerships with various Universities to bring higher education to the region. The most significant achievement has been the establishment of a campus of La Trobe University at Mildura sharing the Institute's facilities.

The Council of Sunraysia Institute of TAFE and the Sunraysia Higher Education Board believes that they have developed a successful model for the delivery of higher education to rural communities which in part addresses the disadvantage experienced by rural communities in gaining access to higher education.

THE REGION

Sunraysia Institute of TAFE Higher Education Region of Influence

Covering an area of 150,000 square kilometres, the Murray-Mallee region of Victoria, far west New South Wales and Riverland district of South Australia has a population of approximately 95,000.

The region's climate and access to irrigation from the Murray and Darling Rivers has given rise to intensive horticultural based activities which constitute the historical mainstay of the local economy. This is further reflected in the accelerated growth in businesses which have food and climate as a central activity. There is a strong regional focus on sustainable growth and the need for environmentally sound practices.

The region's wine industry has recorded impressive domestic and export growth, largely due to a growing recognition of its quality. Southcorp, Mildara-Blass and Stanley Wines are some of the major wine producers located in the region. The region is Australia's major source of dried vine fruits, producing approximately eighty per cent of its total crop. The area is an important citrus producer with sixty-five per cent of Victoria's citrus producers located within the region.

There has been a trend toward diversification of the horticultural base over recent years as growers have expanded their range or shifted production to more profitable crops such as avocados, asparagus, nuts, stone fruits and additional varieties of table grapes.

In contrast, the dryland areas of the region are primarily based on cereal, wool and meat production.

Wholesale and retail trade is a significant industry sector in the region. Employment in retail is spread over a large number of small businesses and large retailing national chains. Accompanying strong growth in retail has been an increase in the size of the finance, property and business services sector.

The manufacturing industry is closely linked to horticultural and agricultural activities. The major manufacturers are involved in wine production, juice processing and agricultural machinery.

The region has a solid and supportive infrastructure for continued economic growth. The Mildura and Wentworth area provide the major service centre for the region and are situated at the junction of the Sturt, Calder and Silver City highways.

Mildura has recently upgraded its airport so that it is capable of servicing large freight and passenger aircraft. The area has a reliable electricity supply and is currently investigating the supply of reticulated natural gas.

This centre leads many other regional areas in providing quality community infrastructure. There is an extensive range of medical and paramedical facilities which service the immediate area as well as providing specialist services for the entire region. In addition to the range of dental and ancillary health practices the Mildura Base and Mildura Private Hospitals offer a complete range of medical services.

The local economy is presently in a healthy condition. Further opportunities for growth exist in ongoing irrigation development, the manufacture of agricultural equipment, gypsum and other mining production, cereal, wool and meat production, transport, cold storage, aquaculture, feedlot development, telecommunications, human services provision, increased utilisation of the Mildura riverfront, heritage and eco tourism, and business support and planning.

EXTENDED CAMPUS (SUNRAYSIA)

In 1986 Sunraysia Institute of TAFE entered into arrangements with the Ballarat College of Advanced Education to deliver the first year of its Visual Arts course at Mildura using the Institute's facilities and staff.

In 1987 the Institute commenced the delivery of the first year of the Bachelor of Business course with Bendigo College of Advanced Education in Mildura. Subsequently the range of courses expanded to include Teaching, Visual Arts and Arts with Bendigo C.A.E. which subsequently became La Trobe University, Bendigo.

During that time Bendigo established its Extended Campus Network with TAFE Institutes in Mildura, Shepparton and Wangaratta. The model was based on local delivery by appropriately qualified staff, University staff secondments, videoconferencing links and locally appointed University casual staff.

LA TROBE UNIVERSITY, MILDURA

In 1996 La Trobe University, Mildura was established as a campus in its own right.

This has led to the expansion of courses including the Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Teaching - dual recognition primary/secondary and the extension of courses to full three year degrees in Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Business.

A significant feature of the Sunraysia Institute of TAFE and La Trobe University arrangements are the articulation agreements that have been developed to the benefit of students.

OTHER UNIVERSITIES

Arrangements with Melbourne University, University of Ballarat and Deakin University have enabled higher education courses to be delivered in the region. These have included a Graduate Diploma of Education, Diploma of Teaching (TAFE), Graduate Diploma of Student Welfare, Graduate Diploma of Educational Administration, Diploma of Tertiary Studies and Bachelor of Education.

THE REVIEW COMMITTEE'S TERMS OF REFERENCE

(A) 'the equality of opportunity to participate in higher education'

and

'That financial, social and geographic factors do not act as barrier to higher education for appropriately qualified students within Australia.'

The proportion of the population in this region with higher education qualifications is 3.26%. This compares with a three State average (Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia) of 7.54% and national rate of 7.61% (ABS data, 1991). The major cause of the low rate of participation is due to the lack of access to higher education in the region.

The provision of higher education through Sunraysia Institute of TAFE has seen participation rates improve significantly.

The geographic isolation of the region Mildura/Melbourne 560 kms; Mildura/Adelaide 397 kms; Mildura/Sydney 1,000 kms has acted as a barrier to participation in higher education. Providing the opportunity for university studies at Mildura has overcome this barrier for many who were either unable or unwilling to relocate even though they qualified for university entry.

Financially, those students whose families could not afford the expense of $10,000 to $12,000 per annum associated with attending universities in Melbourne, Adelaide or Sydney have been able to enrol at their local university campus.

Students are thus able to continue with their existing part time jobs to help finance their education and to maintain their family and peer networks. The initiative shown by La Trobe University in offering local scholarships has further improved access for students and has encouraged the emergence of locally funded scholarships.

Social barriers have been transcended. Many students attending the Mildura Campus are first generation participants in higher education with evidence that their siblings are now choosing a university education at the Mildura campus. The existence of the Mildura campus has contributed to a change in social attitudes toward higher education by providing a credible option for families considering their children's post secondary alternatives.

Approximately 10% of Sunraysia's population consists of persons born overseas. The major countries of overseas origin are: Italy, United Kingdom, Turkey, Croatia/Serbia, Greece, New Zealand, Germany and Netherlands. Croatia/Serbia, Turkey and Greece are represented in Sunraysia population at levels well above the non metropolitan Victorian average.

Traditionally, such groups are under-represented in higher education due to cultural factors and to strong family ties preventing young members from moving away from home. The Mildura campus has attracted such students.

The campus has attracted sole parents to university education providing them with the chance to obtain qualifications that will enable them to improve their future circumstances. The community child care facility located on the Mildura campus has aided their access to higher education. Previously, higher education was not seen as a possibility for such people as it meant relocating the family to an urban location.

Higher education has become accessible to mature age students who were previously denied access because of family and work ties. The changing nature of employment in regional communities is reflected by mature age student's desire to obtain appropriate university qualifications to enable them to undertake a change in career direction.

Disabled students have enrolled in university courses because of the existence of the Mildura Campus. Previously, access to university education would have meant relocation to a city leaving their local support networks. The Mildura campus is 'disabled friendly' as its layout is easy to navigate and its smaller class sizes reduces the disadvantage for people with hearing and physical disabilities.

Aborigines choose to study at the Mildura Campus because it enables them to maintain their close family ties and the support provided by the Koori Liaison Unit at the campus. This provides the added advantage that local role models are visible for young aborigines. The articulation from the Institute's TAFE Visual Art courses to the university courses has proved to be a factor in improving access to higher education for aborigines.

An integral part of improved access for students are the articulation arrangements between the TAFE Arts and Business Diplomas and the University's Visual Arts and Business degrees. This provides expanded options to students who commence their studies at TAFE with the opportunity to continue on to degree courses at the same location.

The Mildura Campus has a positive attraction for students from throughout the region as Mildura has become a commercial, community, recreation and social hub of the Murray-Mallee region, Accommodation for students is available at the Institute's 70 bed on-campus residential facility. It draws students from Broken Hill across to Balranald (NSW); Swan Hill to the northern Mallee (Victoria) and the Riverland region of South Australia and is regarded by families across the Murray-Mallee region as providing access to university education that is affordable compared to the cost of city based higher education.

University education at Mildura provides an opportunity for those groups that would not have previously contemplated university studies i.e. geographically isolated, low income families, non-English speaking background, sole parents, mature age, disabled and aborigines. It provides an affordable option for families across the Murray-Mallee region.

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