La Trobe reports to Bendigo community
18 Mar 2010
La Trobe University will continue to consult widely across regional Victoria to ensure the removal of obstacles facing regional students wishing to access higher education.
That’s the promise made by La Trobe’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Johnson, as he released the University’s first annual Regional Community Report which outlines progress towards goals set out in the Regional Strategic Plan 2009 - 2012.
The report shows that the university is exceeding expectations just twelve months into a four-year strategy.
‘We set out to improve our engagement with communities, substantially increase participation in higher education in regional Victoria, and boost our regional research capacity,’ Professor Johnson said.
‘We can see in the Regional Community Report that we are keeping our promises and ticking many of these boxes.’
‘We will continue to tick those boxes,’ he said.
High on the university’s agenda now is to remove the barriers that make it difficult for regional Victorians to go to university, by developing stronger links with secondary schools and TAFE.
Cementing partnerships with local industry and government, and campus-specific Regional Advisory Boards are also helping the university refine its approach to servicing the diverse needs of each regional campus.
Professor Johnson said these relationships are vital.
‘It means we are able to develop courses that are relevant to local industries, which meet local workforce demands and community aspirations.’
Professor Johnson said key accomplishments over the past 12 months include securing funding for major infrastructure and research, a significant economic contribution to gross regional product, and a 30% increase in student enrolments.
In mid-2009, the Federal Government awarded $59.6 million dollars towards the $88.9 million dollar La Trobe Rural Health School (LRHS) to be located at the Bendigo campus, and $64.1 million dollars towards the $97.9 million La Trobe Institute of Molecular Science. The LRHS is set to address major health workforce shortages across northern Victoria.
Professor Hal Swerissen, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Regional) says the university has a strong future in the regions, both in education and in stimulating local economies.
‘In late 2009 we carried out an economic impact analysis. It showed the Bendigo campus contributes $201.4 million to the city’s gross regional product and supports 2099 jobs in area.’
‘Our aim is to increase enrolments at our regional campuses by 20% and our regional research capacity by 50% by 2012, so this contribution to the gross figure will increase considerably,’ said Professor Swerissen.
Professor Swerissen said that the university will again produce this report to local communities next year, to demonstrate its commitment to these outcomes and showcase La Trobe University’s achievements throughout 2010.
‘We will remain dedicated to the development of vibrant and sustainable communities in regional Victoria,’ he said.
Watch a video in which Vice-Chancellor Paul Johnson and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Regional) Hal Swerissen discuss the University's ambitions for the regional communities it serves, and recent achievements and developments at its regional campuses.
ENDS
Regional Community Report highlights at Bendigo
• The Regional School of Business was established;
• The $1.9 million dental laboratories were opened;
• La Trobe Bendigo launched the Initial Registration for Overseas Nurses (IRON) program;
• The Biotechnology Research Centre - in 2009, researchers at the Centre were awarded an Australian Research Council linkage grant and a Victorian Government Smartwater research grant, worth in excess of $400,000;
• The Infinity Leadership Program - thirty students from La Trobe’s Bendigo and Bundoora campuses are taking part in the pilot program aimed at empowering students with the skills and knowledge needed to take leadership roles within La Trobe and the wider community;
• Reaching out to schools – the campus hosted the two-day National Science and Engineering Grand Challenge. Attended by 16 schools from across Australia;
• Community participation – students have been assisting Loddon Campaspe community solicitors with family violence matters.
Contact:
Phone:
