Greater access to higher education and relief from skills shortages in the health sciences could be outcomes of an initiative being explored by The University of Queensland.
The University is calling for expressions of interest from education providers to set up and run a university college based at UQ Ipswich.
While subject to University Senate’s final approval, a university college would provide an alternative pathway for students to access higher education by offering two-year associate degrees that would articulate to UQ programs.
UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield said the initiative would broaden educational opportunities in one of Australia’s fastest-growing urban corridors.
“The college will give a wider range of people access to the high-quality education for which UQ is renowned," Professor Greenfield said.
“No proposal will pass muster unless it includes clear agreements about quality assurance.
“The university college model is a new model for UQ but it is has shown great success at other leading universities such as the University of California in the United States and Monash University in Victoria."
He said the business structure would be separate from the main operations of UQ. Initially, the university college would use existing facilities at UQ Ipswich and focus on programs in health, business and human services, eventually expanding its program offerings to service the whole of the University.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Alan Rix said the Ipswich Campus looked forward to hosting this new development.
“It will provide additional options in developing the health workforce, and in addressing skills shortages in a range of disciplines essential to supporting the new growth in the Western Corridor,” Professor Rix said.
Copies of the Information Memorandum for Expressions of Interest can be obtained by calling the Ipswich Campus on 07 3381 1002 or emailing ipswichoperations@uq.edu.au Expressions of interest should be sent to The University of Queensland by February 6.
Media: Professor Alan Rix (07 3381 1002), Fiona Kennedy (07 3365 1384/0413 380 012) or Tegan Taylor at UQ Communications (07 3365 2659).
