That’s the key recommendation of the University’s Regional Review Working Party, presented to the University’s Council last night. It follows the receipt of 219 submissions from internal and external stakeholders and 32 follow-up consultations.
The report says maximum benefits, both for regional communities and to the University, will ‘accrue through a fully integrated approach that brings the very best the University has to offer to all sites … with each campus playing an integral part in the whole.’
It says a ‘clearly articulated vision for its regional operations’ should include:
- high quality professional programs of critical importance regionally – in business, education and health, with others provided consistent with local demand
- niche research based on areas of natural advantage/opportunities at each regional campus
- growth in international student numbers at regional campuses
- introducing fee-paying short courses developed in consultation with community groups to ensure they meet local needs
- providing alliances with the TAFE sector.
In developing a new facility at Shepparton, the report says the University should work closely with Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE, local schools and the community. Innovative models of collaboration and new concepts of flexible learning and research spaces should be considered.
To emphasise the unified model, it suggests headquartering selected University-wide services and programs at regional campuses. Terms of reference for all regional boards should also be revised to provide local board members with a more active role.
Welcoming the report, La Trobe University Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Roger Parish, said the University’s future commitment to regional Victoria was clear and strong.
‘The University will develop a regional vision and strategic focus based on the strong expectation of government and community support. The University’s future success in regional Victoria will depend on the commitment of all partners.’
Teaching:
The review says the University needs to make ‘significant investment’ in e-learning technology and staff development to meet the flexibility required by changes in study habits of metropolitan and regional students.
It notes better use of technology can improve the quality of programs through greater flexibility in teaching, give regional students access to senior academics at other locations, and boost communication between students at all campuses.
Research:
The review identifies water and water-related research as key areas of focus, with the possibility of an Institute for Water Research based at regional campuses.
It notes La Trobe’s ability to take a lead in this area, given its four campuses in the Murray Darling Basin; its membership of the Murray Darling Freshwater Research Centre; its regional civil engineering programs; its strong research profile at Bendigo and Albury-Wodonga in fresh-water ecology, water management and water policy; and its Centre for Sustainable Regional Communities at Bendigo.
Finance:
The review notes that primarily as a result of scale issues, regional operations cost substantially more than metropolitan operations on a per capita basis.
The report identifies inadequate Federal funding as a key issue: La Trobe receives less than $1m in regional loading per year.
It notes: ‘Access to higher education is a fundamental right of all qualified Australians, and as a public good should be properly funded by the Federal Government.
‘It should not be the responsibility of La Trobe or any other university to shoulder this financial burden – particularly when it can significantly impact negatively on the University’s mission.’
The report adds there is ‘overwhelming support’ for a campaign involving community organisations in the lead up to the Federal election to seek proper levels of funding for regional operations.
Tuesday, 6 February 2007 La Trobe releases Regional ReviewLa Trobe University should maintain a ‘strong and vibrant’ presence at all four regional campuses – Bendigo, Albury-Wodonga, Mildura and Shepparton – to promote access to higher education in central and northern Victoria.