After three long years of intense
negotiations with two state Governments, Central Queensland has finally got
approval from the State Government, to break from the rest of the herd and
adopt a new model of post-school education.
As of 1 January, 2014, CQUniversity will be operating a Queensland’s
first dual sector university.
CQUniversity is one of the fastest
growing universities in Australia and CQ TAFE the second largest TAFE in the State.
Both of them are fantastically strong, vibrant institutions driven by
remarkably talented staff. Both Institutions have had a long, proud history of
strengthening our communities with generations of highly skilled graduates that
are second to none. And now, finally, both institutions can merge together to
create one of the most coordinated, holistic and innovative education and
training providers in the country.
People often ask myself and Gary
Kinnon, the Director of CQ TAFE, why this region needs the university and the
TAFE to merge. I’ve always felt, and I know Gary agrees, that Central
Queensland is a region unlike any other in
Australia, and we are at a time unlike any other, with opportunities and
challenges being thrown at us that only come along once in a lifetime. The
communities, industries, economies, workforce pressures, skills needs,
environments and lifestyle options of Central Queensland cannot be found
anywhere else in the state, yet for decades we’ve had the same cookie-cutter
post-school education options as every other region. But not for much longer.
The
merger of CQUniversity and CQ TAFE will unlock the region’s potential to
respond more quickly and effectively to the education and training demands in
our own backyard. Currently we have a TAFE and a University, both full of great
staff, both with fantastic facilities, both competing for the same school
leavers and students, both trying to skill the local workforce, but with no
real coordination or strategy between them because they are working in relative
isolation. And it is the students that are missing out. I believe this idea of
academic apartheid – where you are either on a ‘TAFE’ or ‘University’ path for
life – has held this region back from realising its full
potential.
New refurbished, state-of-the-art CQUniversity Rockhampton Campus Library
We
are about to blur that line between TAFE and University to the point where our
students don’t even realise they are drifting back and forth between the two.
Our students will get to experience the best elements of each institution –
from award-winning teachers to state-of-the-art facilities to real, tangible
industry links – with the goal of producing the most highly skilled,
well-rounded and employable graduates in the country. I’m talking about
electrical engineers with practical TAFE competencies built into their degree;
TAFE-trained enrolled nurses who don’t think twice about returning to their alma mater to train further to be a
registered nurse; and sports science students with a personal trainer
qualification built into the first year of their degree so they can work in the
industry while they study, rather than at a pub or cafe. I want us to train the best welders, fitters,
electricians, teachers, nurses and accountants that we possibly can. And I want
this region to celebrate the graduation of a diesel mechanic at a ceremony
alongside the graduation of a podiatrist, because Central Queensland is in
desperate need of both.
Speakers and organisers at the recent Dual Sector Research Symposium
L-R Rod Camm, Janet Dibb-Leigh, Associate Professor Bobby Harreveld, Dr
Ros Cameron, Dr Susan Kinnear, Dr Gavin Moodie, Associate Professor Kristy Richardson,
Sue Fergusson and Nik Babovic
In
conclusion I’d like to personally thank and highlight the hard work and
dedication shown by DVC, Industry & Vocational Education, Nik Babovic and
his team for getting us to this point.
Along with Nik and his team, I look forward to working with all of you
in 2013 as we make this exciting transition.
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