CQU graduate celebrates at Murray River Study Hub

The Murray River Study Hub (MRSH)' funded under the Australian Government's Regional University Centres program' celebrated a significant milestone this month with its first student graduation.

Emily DeMichelle was the lucky local to wear the cap and gown having completed a Bachelor of Professional Communication through CQUniversity.

Celebrations were held at the Rural City of Murray Bridge's office' where the local community gathered together to toast the student's success.

The achievement was also a special occasion for the Hub team' who have provided study support' guidance and mentoring to the student over the past three years.

As a Murray Bridge resident' Emily gained part-time employment in her field of study before graduating at Regional Development Australia Murraylands and Riverland' through MRSH's strong local partnerships.

Thanks to the flexibility of online study' Emily was able to maintain her role in the local community' including her heavy involvement in the River Murray Netball Association.

It's one of the key benefits of the Murray River Study Hub - giving people the chance to pursue their dream careers from the comfort of home without sacrificing their regional lifestyle. It overcomes the rural barriers to tertiary education' increasing accessibility to university and VET courses across the Murraylands and Riverland.

CQUniversity's Professor Sally Ferguson said the University was proud to partner with the Murray River Study Hub to provide education opportunities to those living in regional areas of South Australia.

"At CQUniversity' we believe quality education' training and research should be available to everyone' regardless of background' location or circumstance'" Prof Ferguson said.

"Students' such as Emily' are a great example of how quality online study can change lives."

Murray River Study Hub Program Manager Vanessa Leigh said she was overjoyed for Emily to have completed her degree and for all the other regional students graduating this year.

"It's incredibly rewarding to see our project mission come to life. This student has received the rare opportunity to pursue tertiary education within her local region' and now she's able to enter our workforce as a skilled professional'" Ms Leigh said.

"The success of our graduate is a testament to the accessible and affordable nature of online study. She was able to save money and avoid time commuting' with on-hand support from our student advisors and hub facilities.

"I hope aspiring students view this milestone as a driving reason to enrol' picturing themselves in Emily's shoes."

Ms Leigh noted that the MRSH provides support for anyone wanting to study post-secondary school education' regardless of who they are studying with. This program can support students through the use of the campuses' access to student advisors and local business connections.

The Hub's future is secure' thanks to a further four years of funding committed by the Federal Government. Minister for Education' Jason Clare awarded the hub' alongside 15 other Regional University Centres' a collective $25.6 million to continue the work of increasing regional accessibility to higher education.

As a CQUniversity partner' students can study a range of courses in agriculture' business and law' arts' education' information technology' health' engineering and built environment' psychology' and science' through the Murray River Study Hub.