MEDIA RELEASE
REGIONAL BOOST FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG
15 September, 2003 MIN 461/03
The University of Wollongong will receive a regional
funding boost of almost $1 million a year under the Government’s
higher education reform package, Our Universities: Backing
Australia’s Future.
The funding will be delivered to the University
through the Government’s regional loading initiative which
recognises the higher costs faced by campuses in rural and more
remote areas.
The programme provides an additional loading to
institutions according to their regionality and size. The region’s
population cut off for support under this particular programme was
250,000.
The University of Wollongong argued that with a
Wollongong population of 257,000 it was effectively ‘on the line’
and should qualify for a modest regional loading.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gerard Sutton
successfully argued that the University should receive a regional
loading of 1.5%.
As a result the University will receive just under
$1 million a year in additional funding to support its regional
costs.
The Australian Vice Chancellors’ Committee argued
strongly during the ‘Crossroads’ review that the higher education
reform package should contain funding which recognised the unique
contribution made by higher education institutions and campuses
outside capital cities and major centres. The package delivers
additional funding in recognition of the special obligations and
costs associated with servicing local communities and students from
rural areas.
Many institutions in rural areas play a vital role
in the economic and social life of their communities which goes far
beyond their traditional educational activities.
The measure is part of the Government’s $1.5 billion
higher education reform package, Our Universities: Backing
Australia’s Future, which will provide more than $10 billion in
new support for higher education over the next ten years, including
an estimated $6.9 billion in additional funding to the sector and
approximately $3.7 billion in financial assistance to students
through new student loans.
Media Contact:
Dr Nelson’s Office: Ross Hampton 0419 484 095
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