Resources sector top priority for Uni
Published on 26 August, 2008
The minerals and energy sector's need for skilled employees has been given top priority by CQUniversity, which is located at the centre of the resources sector's expanding business activities in the Bowen Basin of Central Queensland.
In its submission to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations' Review of Australian Higher Education, CQUniversity describes how it is making a vital economic contribution to Central Queensland and the nation by revitalising the quality and diversity of university education in the region.
It is also focusing on distance education through its proposed Mining Productivity and Capability (MPC) Centre and the existing Mining Technology Innovation Centre.
"CQUniversity recognises that the resources sector is the most significant industry in the region and is committed to working with individual companies and through industry groups such as the Queensland Resource Council (QRC) to add value to their operations," said Vice-Chancellor John Rickard.
QRC Chief Executive Michael Roche said that CQUniversity's submission is consistent with QRC's vision of the resource sector being serviced by a small number of universities in Queensland with a mission of delivering higher quality courses, research and graduates for the strongly growing resources sector.
"The QRC contends that 3 or at most 4 mission-lead universities in Queensland could deliver this outcome, by concentrating scarce resources, with university, government and industry investments."
QRC's submission to the review indicates that CQUniversity is well placed to deliver relevant products and services to the resources sector.
"The resources sector lies at the heart of the Queensland economy," said Mr Roche.
"The value of minerals and energy production in Queensland is expected to exceed $40 billion in 2008-09, consolidating the sector's position as the state's key export earner."
CQUniversity's submission to the review says current funding level models are ‘grossly inadequate' and in need of a ‘drastic' overhaul, and this view has received critical support from the Queensland resources sector.
CQUniversity and the QRC's submissions can be obtained from links to the Review of Australian Higher Education at the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations at http://www.deewr.gov.au/.
