With over 58,000 square kilometres to cover, it is a challenging task to provide support for regional students studying at the new Country Universities Centres in the Isaac Region. Thanks to BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) that challenge can now be overcome.
Through the generous support of BMA, Country Universities Centre (CUC) Isaac was recently able to purchase a Hyundai Tucson Hybrid vehicle. The vehicle will be used for community engagement, promotions, career expos and education events.
“Having a reliable vehicle is vital in this region. There is a lot of travel involved when it comes to community engagement and making sure that we reach every area of the Isaac,” explained Manager of CUC Isaac Kim Edwards.
“We are on the road a lot representing the Country Universities Centre. We already have the one centre in Moranbah and are now preparing to open in Clermont. We travel to Mackay regularly to meet CQU and JCU university staff, and just last week we attended a community event in Clarke Creek.”
This BMA sponsored vehicle represents the first industry partnership with CUC Isaac. CUC Isaac is part of the Regional University Study Hub network across Australia and operational costs are funded by the Australian Government Department of Education. Industry partnerships and sponsorships are vitally important for continual expansion and for community engagement and supporting students across the region.
Mariette Bylsma, BMA’s Head of Operations said the BHP Mitsubishi Alliance is committed to partnerships that deliver for the regions its workforce and families call home.
“This initiative reflects our belief in equal access to education, and the power of collaboration to create tangible opportunities for regional students -supporting them to stay connected to their communities while building their futures.
“While mining is under pressure from global market conditions and the Queensland Government’s unsustainable coal taxes, BMA remains deeply committed to our communities.”
CUC Isaac opened in August and already 44 students are registered and studying in Moranbah. Eighty percent of the students currently studying in the centre are women, forty percent are under 25, and thirty percent are working toward education degrees.
“The whole purpose of the CUC is to make sure students in rural and regional communities can access study without having to leave home,” said Isaac Mayor Kelly Vea Vea.
“This vehicle means we can get out to those towns and connect directly with students where they are.”
Image caption: L-R: Isaac Mayor Kelly Vea Vea, Mariette Bylsma, BMA’s Head of Operations, Kim Edwards, Manager of CUC Isaac and Isaac Councillor Melissa Westcott.
