Higher Education Drives Regional Competiveness

The thing that is required to ensure the success of our region is the very same thing required to ensure the success of Australia. It is a time of great macro change at the moment, or more positively, a time of great macro opportunity.

• There is rapid commercialisation of disruptive technologies
• A democratisation of access to the internet and computing power;
• The globalisation of knowledge and talent; and
• The rising influence of Asia, of women and the ageing

In this time of macro transformation, technology is driving profound shifts. Keeping ahead of such change requires unprecedented agility. As technology reshapes existing industries and develops new industries previously never before conceived, the professional workforces and workspaces that support and service these industries will need to build far greater mobility, diversity and flexibility.

This transformation brings opportunity to the door-step of regional centers. Technology has reduced tyranny of distance, providing access to a global market place.

Universities deliver excellence in teaching, research and innovation; contribute towards economic progression; and transform the community through education. It is vital that the connection between Universities, Industry, Government and Professional bodies continues to strengthen. It is these relationships that will see collaboration in the development of innovation, the innovation that is required to ensure the competiveness of our regions.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics identifies that between 17.8% to 21.8% of persons between the age of 24 to 35, located in rural and regional Australia have a Bachelor degree or above.  This compares with a national average of approximately 37%.

With an ever growing need for an economy based on knowledge, there is an ever growing need for regional people to have access to higher education to drive our regional competiveness.