New Wheatbelt University Centre announced with study hubs in Narrogin, Wongan Hills, Merredin and York

Wheatbelt university students will soon have access to free internet, computers, printers, video conferencing and a student support officer in four regional towns, including Narrogin, after a $14 million Federal Government investment. Federal Regional Education Minister Bridget McKenzie visited WA this week to unveil $21m for eight new regional universities across the nation, including the creation of a Wheatbelt University Centre. Founded in 2018, the Regional Universities program was designed to help provide support to students studying tertiary education while living in regional communities, with more than 2400 students using the 26 already in place. Under the new Wheatbelt University Centre, study hubs are planned to come into operation in Narrogin, Wongan Hills, Merredin in the second half of this year. A fourth hub in York is expected to open early next year. The hubs will provide free access to internet, computers, printers, video conferencing and an in-person learning support officer, according to Regional Development Australia. Ms McKenzie said those living in regional Australia were less than half as likely to complete a university degree compared with people in cities and Regional University Centres were helping to “reverse this trend”. “It is wonderful that once this centre is up and running local students won’t need to leave home and relocate to study,” she said. “They will be able to enrol in a university course and complete a degree or another tertiary qualification and their skills could stay in the region and help the community. “A student’s ability to access a high-quality education should not be determined by their postcode.” Shire of Narrogin chief executive Dale Stewart said the announcement was a “huge win” for the region’s younger generation. “The project will be able to deliver on a long-held ambition of the Shire of Narrogin to help facilitate higher learning opportunities, particularly at university level, for students of all ages, but in particular the youth of Narrogin and the wider service region. “In turn, it will assist retain our brightest minds and provide greater employment pathways for jobs to be retained and developed locally. “A huge win for our youth, our current and potential new, green energy, educational and health related start-up businesses as well as our broader business community and community in general.” The centre will be operated by Regional Development Australia Wheatbelt WA and will be a part of a larger network of 26 centres around the country. RDA Wheatbelt regional development director Mandy Walker said a hub model had been developed, utilising current infrastructure, with plans to appoint a director and four part-time learning support officers. She said discussions with Curtin University, Murdoch University and Uni SA had identified “ready to deliver” courses with a market in the Wheatbelt, including nursing, agriculture, education, art, mining and renewable energy. Any student, regardless of what university they study with, would be able to access these facilities and support. Ms Walker said the funding was an important step in showcasing the Wheatbelt as a “modern, smart region”, where you could pursue a workforce-ready career pathway. “The Wheatbelt is home to some of the most innovative businesses, farming systems, industry, and service sectors in the State, who are willing to partner with us,” she said. “Our model for a regional university enables those people already in the workforce to access additional study options and for our school students, both regional and returning from boarding school, an opportunity to connect with a future-focused career path.” RDA Wheatbelt chair Terry Waldron said 60 per cent of people who studied in the regions stayed in the regions to work and the new initiative would give regional communities a way to attract and retain residents. “This will be a great outcome for our hospitals and schools, as well as the key industry sectors of agriculture and mining,” he said. “I would like to thank the industry and local government partners who came on board early on to support this application and contribute to our success securing funds.”