CQUniversity Rockhampton generates hundreds of millions of dollars in direct economic activity and also acts as a catalyst for future prosperity.

Nationally-renowned access pathways and support programs enable and encourage regional residents to aspire to higher education and better-paid careers, providing a more specialised and skilled workforce for current and potential industries.

Visiting scholars and researchers also provide a window to the world of best practice and developments able to be applied to boost local productivity and outcomes.

Professor in Regional Development Economics John Rolfe recently confirmed that higher education institutions have additional benefits for their regions.

"Effects include ... the retention and attraction of students who then create their own expenditure and income patterns in regional economies," he said.

"Because the bulk of those staff and students would not otherwise be located in regional centres, regional universities can be expected to have much higher impacts on their economies than corresponding universities in urban settings.

"Universities help to hold and attract young people to regional cities, contributing to the social, cultural and sporting fabric of communities, and generating important shifts in future location choices and demographic patterns."

Professor Rolfe said that, as students from regional areas and low socio-economic backgrounds are often less familiar with tertiary education, universities servicing these groups need to be specialised in providing the appropriate support and encouragement.

"Regional universities also contribute to regional areas by providing research and development services, by adding to governance capital, and by improving the image and attractiveness of regional areas.

"In regional centres ... universities employ a significant proportion of skilled professionals in the regional economy, helping to maintain a diversity of skills and experience in regional areas."

Professor Rolfe said the contribution to human capital through education maintains economic prospects for regional areas, while the contributions to social capital are important to maintain the vibrancy and attractiveness of regions.

CQUniversity also acts as a cultural hub for the community, improving the livability factors so crucial to attracting and retaining workers and businesses. With staff and students coming from many nationalities, the campus enhances the region's reputation for being welcoming and vibrant.

The University prides itself on research relevant to our region's key resource and agricultural industries and across important support sectors, including business, computing, health and education.

The Rockhampton region also benefits from CQUniversity's record of community involvement and engagement, as it provides a hub for networking and enables vital community consultation and project planning.

CQUniversity is a catalyst for lifelong learning and the development of transferable skills throughout the community. It provides opportunities for students who are still in high school, through to school leavers and on to adult learners who may be developing or changing their career paths.