OECD project
Supporting the contribution of higher education institutions to regional development
In 2005 and 2006, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) selected 14 regions across the world to participate in a project designed to strengthen the contributions of universities to their regions. A significant factor in the OECD selecting this region for the project was USC's reputation as an engaged university.
To explore issues in inter-university cooperation, the region was extended beyond the Sunshine Coast to encompass the Fraser Coast and the University of Southern Queensland campus located at Wide Bay. A Regional Steering Committee was established to coordinate the project.
Three key documents, available from the OECD website, were developed during the project:
- a regional self-evaluation report (the two lead authors of this report - Ron Neller and Sharon Hall - are from USC)
- a report from the OECD International Peer Review Team assessing the region, and
- a response by the region to the Peer Review Team report
In October 2006, representatives of each participating region met in Copenhagen to discuss outcomes of the project and to identify international best practice examples. The OECD invited Professor Paul Thomas, USC's Vice-Chancellor, to present on the Sunshine/Fraser Coast.
The launch of the final project report for all regions was in Valencia, Spain in September 2007. A second stage is envisaged, which will build on the work done in the first stage and international learnings from the project.