The Australian Government today opens a Regional University Centre (RUC) in Corryong to help locals study by distance at any tertiary education provider in Australia.
The Corryong campus is one of three RUCs in the Victorian region and is managed by the Country University Centre Ovens Murray.
Assistant Minister for Education Senator Anthony Chisholm said RUCs provided services and infrastructure to support regional students to get a tertiary degree without leaving their home districts.
"We believe that every student deserves to have access to a world-class tertiary education no matter who they are and where they live," Assistant Minister Chisholm said.
"It is unacceptable that students from regional areas are half as likely to obtain a higher education degree compared to their peers living in cities.
"This program works to address this discrepancy, removing barriers for regional and remote students to access high-quality education opportunities.
"The centre is supporting school leavers and mature learners, empowering those looking to upskill, helping to address skill shortages in the region and strengthening regional economies in Victoria."
Assistant Minister Chisholm said the Mansfield RUC campus opened last week while the main site was set to officially open at Wangaratta in early 2023.
"Already 41 students have started their studies across the three CUC Ovens Murray sites, including in the fields of health, science and human services," Assistant Minister Chisholm said.
"RUCs are a vital part of delivering more opportunities to regional and rural students in Victoria.
"Today's site opening will allow more regional Victorians to study closer to home, where they can continue to recieve support from the centre, their families, friends and communities."
CUC Ovens Murray offers students academic, administrative and pastoral support, as well as access to high-speed internet, computers and printing and video conferencing facilities.
The Australian Government has committed more than $2.5 million in funding to establish CUC Ovens Murray and is expected to support more than 100 local students across all three sites next year, with a goal of increasing that number.
