Federal Nationals Member for Riverina Michael McCormack has welcomed more than $700,000 in funding for the Country University Centre (CUC) Cowra Region to help secure its future.
“When I was asked to support CUC Cowra in its endeavour to secure funding under Cohort 4 of the Regional University Study Hubs Program, it was my privilege to oblige,” Mr McCormack said.
“This morning, I had the honour to speak with Mayor of Cowra Shire, Councillor Ruth Fagan, about the successful application for funding.
“Mayor Fagan was delighted by the news, telling me the study hub had been such a success. Despite not even being open for 12 months, it had attracted 73 students.”
Previously supported by the NSW Government, funding for the Cowra study hub was set to expire in 2026, raising uncertainty as to its future.
“With this important funding, there is now a pathway for the study hub to keep its doors open and support regional and remote university students in the Cowra region into the future,” Mr McCormack said.
“The 73 students which the study hub currently hosts make an immense difference to the Cowra region — living and studying in the region whilst also fulfilling much-needed skills and labour shortages.
“Without the study hub, many would be forced to leave the region to study in a big city, draining the Cowra region of young talent, or would otherwise be discouraged from pursuing their ambitions and upskilling.
“I have always been a strong believer postcodes should not determine one’s potential and it is initiatives such as the CUC Cowra which help bridge the city-country education and opportunity divide.
“Continuing the expansion of the program and the establishment of further study hubs in the Riverina, Central West and other regional areas will democratise access to tertiary education.
“I’d be very pleased to see more towns within the Riverina and Central West be host to a study hub in the future.”
https://www.cuccowraregion.org.au/
