NEW UNIVERSITY SCIENCE BUILDING ALLOWS EXPANSION OF COURSES

A new $7.5 million science building at the University of the Sunshine Coast will allow the university to introduce new science courses and expand its nursing courses.

Minister for Education and Training, Rod Welford, who opened the building today, said the new facilities were an important addition to the state’s regional education facilities, providing students with local access to further education.

”When the university opened in 1996 it had 500 students and no nursing science course,” he said.

“Those seeking a career in nursing had to uproot their lives and move to Brisbane or further afield.

“This meant that graduates invariably remained to work in the city where they studied, leading to understaffing in regional health facilities.”

Mr Welford said the University commenced nursing studies in 2004 as a joint course with Central Queensland University with 59 students.

“This year nursing began as a full course with the highest new-student enrolment of all undergraduate programs,” he said.

“Of the student total, 228 are enrolled in nursing science with 92.6 per cent of nursing students coming from the Sunshine Coast.”

Mr Welford said the new building housed a variety of other science facilities including laboratories for geographical information systems, sports science testing and practical general science.

“Queensland is one of few states that funds capital works at universities,” he said.

“Over the past 10 years the Education Department has contributed more than $160 million for capital works at universities, mostly for expansion in regional areas.”

The Beattie Government contributed $1.5 million towards the new building.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 3237 1000 or 0419 734 985