La Trobe University has received a $4 million boost as part of the Federal Government’s Structural Adjustment Fund to help universities grow enrolments, better meet student needs and create more tertiary opportunities for those from under-represented backgrounds.
La Trobe is one of 10 universities who will share in the $50 million fund, announced today.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell welcomed the funding, which will be used to support student participation, professional experience opportunities and provide greater pathways for students, particularly in regional and rural areas.
“We are delighted to receive this funding boost to help us continue to provide and expand tertiary education opportunities across Victoria,” Professor Farrell said.
“As Victoria’s only statewide university, La Trobe educates students across metropolitan Melbourne and regional campuses in Bendigo, Albury-Wodonga, Mildura, Shepparton and beyond, with more than 40 per cent of students the first in their family to attend university and a quarter from regional, rural or remote Australia.
“This funding recognises the important role La Trobe plays in supporting students from these communities to gain a university education and ensure they are job-ready through hands-on experience.”
Professor Farrell said the funding would also help La Trobe to realise the ambitions of La Trobe’s Regional Growth and Innovation Strategy, which set targets to expand participation across regional Victoria and increase graduates in areas of critical national need, including health and education.
The Federal Government funding will help the 10 successful universities implement priority initiatives as they transition to the new Managed Growth Funding and Needs-based Funding System, which is now before the Senate.
The Government says the new system will mean an extra $3.6 billion funding for universities over the next decade and is expected to support an additional 230,000 university commencements over that time.
