Today we launch a campaign to help save our university.
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Deakin University is preparing to end its 25-year history with Warrnambool, having revealed on Friday it was in talks with other providers about taking on the campus’ course offerings.
Ballarat’s Federation University, La Trobe and University of Central Queensland – all regional campus operators – are possibilities. Closing the campus is also an option.
A third option is to boost student numbers which have fallen from 1342 in 2011 to a projected 872 this year. But that seems highly unlikely with Deakin having cut courses including journalism and public relations last year. You need courses to have students.
Wannon MP Dan Tehan is organising a public forum in Warrnambool on Friday night. He, along with other community leaders, wants to send a clear message not only to Deakin but other providers – we need a university campus and we will support it.
The fact Deakin has revealed it is talking with other providers about taking over the courses indicates it is as good as gone. While it says it is committed to retaining tertiary education in the region, what if no other provider wants to step in?
The region will see an even greater drift of young people away and a further decline in tertiary education aspirations. We lose expertise, brain-power, innovation, tourism, marketing and future growth. Economically, the university campus is critical. About 110 people are employed there – it used to be more than 200 not so long ago – and it still injects $53 million into the city annually.
This is not about keeping Deakin; the fight is about retaining a university campus in Warrnambool. We have to unite. Sign an online petition that has gone viral and vote with your feet at Friday night’s public forum.
We need to make a stand now so any potential provider knows it has a passionate community behind it. We owe it to our children and their children.