The official opening of the Sunshine Coast's newest university facility recently (Nov 30) acknowledged the partnerships underpinning community development and the delivery of education in one of Australia's fastest growing regions.

Local representatives from the education and health sectors joined with community leaders and Central Queensland University representatives at the event at the Noosaville Professional Centre in Goodchap Street.

Professor Rickard and Cr Lew Brennan: Photo courtesy Sunshine Coast newspapers

"Central Queensland University, immersed in the community, is delivering programs in partnership with major stakeholders and responding to the growing demand on the coast for increased healthcare, education and human services," said CQU Vice-Chancellor John Rickard, who officiated at the opening alongside Noosa Shire's Cr Lew Brennan.

Cr Brennan is a long-time supporter of CQU's presence in the region and a 2006 graduate of CQU's Master of Learning Management program. An advocate for higher education and the establishment of the Noosa Hub, Cr Brennan has researched contemporary society and the ways education contributes to social and economic development.

Central Queensland University's Noosa Hub, or CQU Noosa as it is known, has strong partnerships with the coast's schools, the healthcare industry and human service organisations which provide learning opportunities for students through professional placements. In turn, CQU provides research, training and development opportunities for these organisations.

"Our partnerships facilitate continued development of creative people and the knowledge economy that's thriving here. We believe in partnerships and alliances. And we are committed to life-long learning and making higher education more accessible. We think by doing this together, we're making this area of Australia more sustainable, more creative and even more beautiful," added Professor Rickard.

CQU established its new facility in the Noosaville Professional Centre in Goodchap Street to support more than 500 students living across south-east Queensland, in particular those enrolled in Learning Management programs.

Professor Rickard and Cr Lew Brennan: Photo courtesy Sunshine Coast newspapers

CQU Noosa also works in conjunction with CQU Bundaberg to support students studying Nursing by distance education from across Queensland and interstate.

CQU has had a presence on the Sunshine Coast since 2001 when it established a centre at Pomona for Learning Management students at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. This new facility continues the steady relationship CQU has with Education Queensland and schools throughout the Sunshine Coast.

CQU Noosa also supports students studying Nursing by Distance Education from across Queensland and interstate and has been identified as a prime venue for workshops hosted by the Competence Assessment Service (CAS), which is the sole return-to-practice education program endorsed by the Queensland Nursing Council. CQU operates the Competency Assessment Service (CAS) in partnership with Central Queensland Institute of TAFE.

A lecturer in Social Work is also based at CQU Noosa to support students completing the Bachelor of Social Work delivered in the flexible mode from Rockhampton campus. Approximately one-third of social work enrolments are located in the south-east corner of Queensland. The degree program has recently received unequivocal approval from the Australian Association of Social Workers.  

The new Noosaville facilities include computer access (including CQU's electronic library services), a lecture space, tutorial rooms, offices for staff based in the area and a new simulated ward for nursing, including a state of the art mannequin that allows students to practice advanced heath assessment techniques and life support measures.

A total of $650,000 was spent on refurbishments and extra equipment was transported to the site. The new site has been operating since March 2007.

The main CQU academic contacts at Goodchap Street are David Turner (Hub coordinator and Education  contact), Marc Broadbent (Nursing contact) and Darren de Warren (Social Work).