‘The new building will allow La Trobe to develop a stronger local profile and enhance its teaching and research activities to better meet the needs and aspirations of students in the Goulburn Valley,’ Professor Johnson said.
Professor Johnson will be in town to discuss his Green Paper for the University’s new ten-year strategic plan and vision for extended higher education in Shepparton at a Civic reception. He will also meet with La Trobe staff and the University’s Regional Advisory Board.
Professor Johnson acknowledged the great enthusiasm in Shepparton for sustainable and quality higher education.
‘We strongly support that aspiration by the local community,’ he said.
To achieve this, La Trobe University – supported by the Greater Shepparton City Council and Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE – has applied to the Federal Government for an additional $9.24m towards the estimated $22.4m required to help develop its campus in Shepparton.
(This supplements existing commitments of $2m from La Trobe University, $2m from the Victorian State Government and $1.5m from the Federal Government.)
Universities at the moment do not receive infrastructure funding as part of normal load funding, Professor Johnson said.
To help achieve sustainable delivery of higher education beyond metropolitan areas, Professor Johnson has directed the development of a new model of tertiary education provision for regional Australia.
In a submission he recently put to the Federal Government through meetings with Higher Education Minister, Ms Julie Bishop, this new model aims to maximise opportunities for regional communities to undertake a university education
‘It addresses the great challenges of providing viable higher education services on a sustainable basis where there is now inadequate scale to do so. For example, it recognises that higher education participation rates in Shepparton and Wangaratta are among the lowest in Australia,’ Professor Johnson said.
‘If adopted, we believe this new model will help greatly to provide skills that are in desperate need regionally – especially teachers and nurses. It will also improve regional opportunities for upgrading skill in other key professions.’
Professor Johnson said La Trobe University and its key partners plan to extend the Shepparton Tertiary Education Precinct for the benefit of the Goulburn Valley.
‘The communities of Seymour and Wangaratta are also likely to directly benefit from local delivery of key programs in their towns, under this new model,’ he said.
Since 1994, the La Trobe University Shepparton campus has been co-located with the Goulburn Ovens Institute. In 2005 administration offices moved to new premises in Welsford St.
Wednesday, 29 August 2007La Trobe University ready to boost presence in SheppartonPlans for La Trobe University’s new Shepparton Campus building will be unveiled by Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Johnson when he visits Shepparton tomorrow, Tuesday 28 August.
Photo opportunity
1.45 pm Tuesday 28 August, corner Fryers Street and North Street, Shepparton.
Further information
For further information please contact Mr David Ensor, Executive Director, Major Projects, La Trobe University, Tel: 03 9479 3831; Mob: 0419 447 843; or Email: d.ensor@latrobe.edu.au