The Study Hub, led by La Trobe University and located within Melbourne Polytechnic Library, has spent the year helping tertiary students in Melbourne’s north kick learning goals.
Epping resident, Chelsea Huynh is in her first year of a Bachelor of Health Sciences at La Trobe University, who hopes to pursue a career in health care.
First-in-family to attend university, she uses the Hub about three times a week when she doesn't need to travel to the Bundoora campus.
"Since the Hub is really close to me, it doesn't feel as though I need to put in that much effort to get myself to study," Chelsea said. "So, when I'm there and everyone around me is also studying, it makes me feel very motivated as well."
"I think the space is really nice and the staff are very welcoming. There's meeting rooms which are very useful when I need to record presentations for my assessments."
In his first year of civil engineering at Melbourne Polytechnic, Doan Van Nguyen attends classes three days a week.
“The Northern Study Hub is a wonderful place. It gives me the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds and countries,” Van Nguyen said.
"It is a chance see different thinking and perspectives to improve myself and help me come up with ideas and solutions as I work on my projects.”
La Trobe Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell congratulated the Northern Study Hub in Epping on attracting more than 200 students in its first year.
"Registering more than 200 students in the first year of the Study Hub in Epping demonstrates the strong demand for accessible tertiary and TAFE education support in Melbourne's north," Professor Farrell said.
"The Hub's well-equipped study facilities and student support services close to home is helping more university and TAFE students with their studies and preparing them for the future workforce."
“La Trobe is committed to expanding life-changing higher education opportunities in Melbourne's north, which will contribute to the goal of doubling higher education participation by 2050, as outlined in the Universities Accord.”
Minister for Skills and Training and local Member for Scullin, Andrew Giles said for students in Melbourne’s north balancing study, work and the rising cost of living, access to a local Study Hub can make all the difference in helping them stay on track.
"I want to see more locals taking up the opportunities that a TAFE or university qualification provides, and that starts with making it easier for local students to study and access support,” Minister Giles said.
“We know where Study Hubs are located, participation in tertiary education goes up – backing more locals like Chelsea and Van Nguyen to set themselves up for their future.”
Director of the Northern Study Hub Samantha Sterling said working with community partners like Melbourne Polytechnic was invaluable in supporting young people to participate in education, grow and thrive.
“For students who may face barriers to access tertiary training to achieve their goals, the Hub provides the educational support they need to finish their studies and become career-ready,” Samantha said.
Located in Broadmeadows and Epping, the Northern Study Hub was Victoria’s first Suburban University Study Hub and is situated in one of the nation’s fastest growing regions. Melbourne’s outer north projected to accommodate an additional 102,000 homes or about 318,000 people by 2060.
Close to public transport, retail and community services, the Northern Study Hub’s campus-style study spaces offer administrative, academic and wellbeing support for students undertaking tertiary or vocational education at any Australian institution.
The Northern Study Hub is well-equipped with individual workstations, quiet zones, informal study areas and meeting rooms to meet the needs of students in Melbourne’s north.
Students must register to access the Northern Study Hub either in person or online.
- Broadmeadows Hub site is located at Hume City Council
- Epping Hub site is located within Melbourne Polytechnic Library
About the Northern Study Hub:
The Northern Study Hub, located in Epping and Broadmeadows, is led by La Trobe University, with the support of the Australian Government and local partners including Melbourne Polytechnic, City of Whittlesea, Whittlesea Community Connections, Hume City Council, Kangan Institute (Broadmeadows) and NORTH Link.
Media enquiries
Debora McInnes – d.mcinnes@latrobe.edu.au, 0487 448 734
Photo: Northern Study Hub Sam Sterling, Whittlesea Community Connections Alex Haynes, La Trobe student Rohan Sachdeva, Melbourne Polytechnic student Van Nguyen Doan, Bronwyn Halfpenny MP, La Trobe student Alex Komaromi, Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles, Melbourne Polytechnic CEO Frances Coppolillo, La Trobe University Provost Professor Robert Pike, La Trobe students Chelsea Huynh and Sofia Gupit.
