East Gippsland TAFE & the University of Ballarat form new partnership

10 July 2009

East Gippsland TAFE, together with the University of Ballarat have entered into a new agreement which will provide significant university places in Sale.

Angela Hutson, Chief Executive Officer of East Gippsland Institute of TAFE is delighted with the arrangement saying that it means that “Gippsland students will have a broad range of TAFE and University courses on offer locally.”

The courses on offer will enable students to either go straight to a university course, or work through different levels of TAFE courses, depending upon their particular requirements.

The agreement has also been welcomed by Cr Darren McCubbin, Mayor of Wellington Shire Council, who believes the move is “great news for local students” and that “its impact on retaining our youth and providing real local opportunity for university education is immense.”

Professor Wayne Robinson, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Ballarat, is also very excited about the partnership and believes it shows that the university recognises the special needs of regional students.

“Our Memorandum of Understanding with East Gippsland Institute of TAFE will provide local opportunities for study without excessive travel. Students will be able to maintain the support of family and colleagues, an important factor in successful study.”

It is expected that a total of 350 university places in Business, Commerce, Teaching (Early Childhood Education); and Nursing will be available progressively, commencing in 2011.