50%
40%
45.4
46.7
University attraction rates
Sunshine Coast region, Year 12 completers.
(2006, 2012 & 2013) attending University.
40.8
30%
21.2 21.5
20%
20.2
21.4
17.1
15.6
10%
0%
7.6
2006 2012
USC
2013
2006 2012 2013
2006 2012 2013
UQ
QUT
6.2
2006 2012
6.7
2013
Griffith
With more programs connecting graduates to the next generation
of jobs, USC is attracting more and more year 12 students from
the Sunshine Coast.
through new ways of thinking, new ways
of doing things and hands-on learning
that USC has earned its five-star ratings for
Teaching, Satisfaction and Generic Skills.
As Professor Sutton notes, “The key to any
successful regional university education
is personalisation.
“Regional universities must ensure they offer
an education that has a strong interaction
between students and academics, and
an environment where students can be
personally known and supported, and also
able to live and work nearby and conduct
their regular lives.”
USC’s growing number of students testifies
to its appeal as a regional university
connected to a dynamic economy and a
culturally vibrant region.
Demographics also support the case for
quality regional universities.
“The Australian population outside major
cities grew 6.6 per cent between 2007 and
2012 and in the next 10 years, is expected
to grow by 26 per cent,” Professor Sutton
points out.
“With this population shift and the
subsequent boost to the region, it is time
to shift old-fashioned ideas that older,
established universities are necessarily
superior.
“Those days are gone. A degree is a degree
no matter where you get it from—there are
standards that must be met—and people get
jobs on merit in today’s world.”
Professor Sutton says USC’s focus on
excellent student experiences is paying
dividends.
“I have no doubt that USC will soon move
into the top 100 new universities in the
world. With its teaching and research
reputation growing all the time, it is well
on the way.”
It’s a prediction that bodes well for local
students and the region as USC connects
the next generation of graduates with the
next-generation economy.
Professor
Max Standage
Former Chair, Regional
Development Australia
Sunshine Coast
Professor Max Standage is former
Chair of Regional Development
Australia Sunshine Coast and former
Pro-Vice Chancellor at Griffith
University. He believes the meticulous
strategic planning behind the
development of USC has helped the
region make the transition from being
a recreational destination to a pulsing,
multi-faceted centre.
“The University has been developed
specifically to meet the growing needs
of the region. It was built to produce
high-quality, job-ready graduates
for the engineering, science, medical
and professional spaces, and also to
provide a backbeat for the cultural and
community elements.
“The University is right at the heart of
everything, driving the knowledge, skill
creation and innovation that thriving
modern regions require.”
“The University is
right at the heart of
everything, driving
the knowledge,
skill creation and
innovation that
thriving modern
regions require.”
Professor Max Standage
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