Noosa's CQUniversity campus is significantly boosting Noosa and the Sunshine Coast's economy and exceeding council and community expectations of its original vision to stimulate Noosa as a creative, knowledge-based economy...

Head of Campus Noosa Professor Phillip Clift said two of CQUniversity's programs, the Bachelor of Nursing and the Bachelor of Social Work offered in a flexible delivery online mode at Noosa, were growing at a rapid rate and attracting students from around Queensland and throughout Australia to Noosa to complete their residencies.

CQUniversity's Noosa Campus in Goodchap Street, Noosaville"Last year the Bachelor of Nursing Program attracted 1100 student visits to Noosa to complete their week-long residencies and this year the program is expected to increase by one third - a figure which will increase annually," Professor Clift said.

 "The economic impact that this is having on the Sunshine Coast is quite significant as often the students bring their families with them and stay longer for a holiday, visit the attractions and go back and tell their friends what a great time they had.

"There is no doubt our students love the opportunity it presents to combine study with pleasure."

Professor Clift said the Bachelor of Social Work was introduced to the Noosa Campus this year and had attracted 120 students who would undertake three-day residencies twice a year on the Sunshine Coast. He said this figure was expected to increase markedly once the community was aware of the program, given its proximity to Brisbane and the appeal of Noosa as a destination.

Sunshine Coast Regional Council Economic Development Portfolio holder, Councillor Lew Brennan, who has been a major supporter of CQUniversity since its beginnings in Pomona a decade ago and who worked tirelessly to bring the campus to Noosa, welcomed the University's success.

"Back in 1998, we put together the first Economic Development Strategy in the history of Noosa with a focus on creating a broad-based economy with knowledge, creativity and technology as a major focus," Cr Brennan said.

"It is essential to provide an industry which will offer an alternative, sustainable economic boost to the region."  

Cr Brennan said the economic contribution that the presence of a university sector can bring to a region is massive and research by Charles Sturt University has shown that 70 per cent of all graduates from regional universities stay in the region. 

"Not only does a university sector enrich the local human capital through the presence of its graduates, it generates income and employment through teaching activities and can increase wealth through the education and research and development activities," Cr Brennan said.  

Cr Brennan said the successes coming from CQUniveristy Noosa Campus were both staggering and exciting.

"I am thrilled to witness the results of a vision that I lived, breathed and dreamed for such a long time," Cr Brennan said.

Professor Clift said CQUniversity had found its niche on the Sunshine Coast and flexible delivery courses were attracting students who, for various reasons, did not want to attend tutorials but wanted to complete their studies online through distance education.

"This flexibility allows students to remain employed while completing their studies," Professor Clift said.

"Whilst some of the students are local the majority come from around and outside Queensland."

Professor Clift said the programs were delivered over three to four years, depending on the level of the qualification, and were mainly attracting mature-age, female students.

He said the CQUniversity Noosa Campus would also be hosting a delegation for the Council of the Heads of Schools of Social Work from around Australia in June, when more than 25 professors and their families would converge on the Sunshine Coast for a conference.

Guest speakers at the conference will hear about the impact of rapid population growth on human services in the Sunshine Coast region.

"It is an exciting time for CQUniversity and we expect to see the campus grow and with it the benefits to the Sunshine Coast community," Professor Clift said.