Two Rockhampton leaders agreed to work more closely to engage the Rockhampton community to support future growth of the city and its university, CQUniversity, it was announced Friday.

Mr Mick Cranny, Chair of Rockhampton Regional Development (RRD) and Professor Scott Bowman, Vice-Chancellor CQUniversity, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a framework within which CQUniversity and RRD, on behalf of the business community, can achieve the shared vision of the Rockhampton Region as a location of choice to work, live and invest.

"We will help the uni develop courses that suit the needs of local business and we'll work with business to attract more students and graduates. This collaboration will help underpin the ongoing labour force requirements of the region and bring more Queenslanders and international students to Rockhampton," said Mr. Cranny

RRD will also help CQUniversity engage with the regional operators by raising the awareness of the University's capabilities and facilities and brokering co-operative research projects with businesses.

"CQUniversity is going through a period of renewal. In five years the Rockhampton region will have one of the best regional Universities in Australia, not because CQUniversity will be the biggest, but because we'll be the most accessible, supportive meaningfully engaged university," explained Professor Bowman

"To achieve that goal the University needs to have partners, like RRD, contributing to our planning and decision-making. That's what this MOU is about. We're thankful for RRD, and others, who enable us now and into future to deliver new courses and research services that are more reflective of local requirements," added Professor Bowman.

Mr Cranny said the Rockhampton Region would benefit from both organisations' networks, relationships and partnerships with industry, business, government and other education providers.

"The University currently has a total economic impact over $300 million annually. It also contributes to the social and cultural fabric of the region. It's based here and key factors to its sustainability and success are the appeal, liveability and resourcefulness of the Rockhampton Region and our business community," said Mr Cranny.