Industry and community gather to celebrate 10 years of uni and TAFE in Rockhampton
Earlier this week, representatives from industry and community have come together in Rockhampton to mark ten years since the CQUniversity and CQ TAFE merger in 2014.
Attendees assembled at the CQUniversity’s School of Mining facility at the Rockhampton North campus to reflect on the decade that has passed since the history-making merger.
The achievements celebrated included CQUniversity’s expansion of its vocational and higher education study options, with the institution now delivering 250 plus courses from Certificate to PhD level to more than 30,000 students.
CQUniversity’s TAFE offerings now include short courses and Certificate I, II, III and IV courses and apprenticeships and TAFE diplomas. Study areas include Allied Health, Community Services, Project Management, Information Technology, Nursing, Safety, Fitness, Horticulture and Science, Trades, Business, Education and Childcare, Legal and Justice Studies, Hair and Beauty, Hospitality and Cookery and Visual Arts.
There are currently more than 11,000 students enrolled in a TAFE qualification at CQUniversity, representing approximately one-third of the University’s total student population.
The University has also built new partnerships with industry and invested more than $80 million in new and upgraded training facilities in Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay and Rockhampton.
CQUniversity’s Vice-Chancellor and President explained that the merger of the University with CQ TAFE has reinforced the importance of all levels of education and training, improving pathways between different levels of study in the region.
“The merger on 1 July 2014, was a history-making moment for education in Queensland as it bought together more than 140 years of combined experience in the delivery of education and training in Central Queensland.
“While dual sector universities had been established in other parts of Australia, it was an unprecedented step in Queensland and has revolutionised the way we deliver vocational training and higher education in the region.
“Not only have we been able to develop more streamlined pathways between different levels of study, but we have also been able to build closer ties with industry, to gain a deeper understanding of their skills and workforce needs.
“As a dual sector university, CQUniversity plays a very important role in delivering skills and knowledge to current and future workforces in the Central Queensland region and beyond and we take our responsibility very seriously.
“CQUniversity is very grateful for the support we have received from our valued industry and community partners over the past ten years. Without this support our success during this time would not have been possible,” said Professor Klomp.
