Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said federal government funding to increase the number of students at CQUniversity would be a major boost for local students and the Far North Queensland economy.
Mr Entsch said the federal government was providing an additional $9.1 million over four years to increase the number of sub-bachelor students at CQUniversity campuses, including Cairns.
CQUniversity will receive funding for an additional 165 bachelor places in 2019, increasing to 193 bachelor places from 2020 ongoing.
“This is a great opportunity for CQUniversity grow and expand its educational services, which is wonderful news for students, families and businesses in Cairns and Far North Queensland,” Mr Entsch said.
“By offering more higher education opportunities locally we can retain our smart young people and also attract more students to the region to study.
“If students can study locally it will greatly reduce their cost of attaining a higher education, while hosting more students will boost local businesses and the economy.
“This is about listening, acting and delivering four our community.”
Mr Entsch said James Cook University would also receive an additional $9.1 million over four years to increase the number of sub-bachelor students at its Cairns campus.
“James Cook University will receive funding for an additional 106 sub-bachelor places in 2019, increasing to 263 sub-bachelor places from 2021 ongoing,” he said.
“This is a fantastic boost for higher education and for our community. It further proves Cairns is without doubt one of the leading educational hubs in the nation.”
Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan said the Australian Government was committing an additional $92.5 million to support student growth in universities that had a regional growth focus.
“Funding for additional student places at regional universities was part of the Morrison Government’s additional $134.8 million commitment to regional and rural higher education, bringing the total additional new funding for regional higher education to almost $400 million over five years,” Mr Tehan said.
“Our funding commitment will ensure that every Australian, no matter where they live, has access to Australia’s world-leading higher education system.”
