USC's regional engagement recognised internationally
27 July, 2005
The University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) has been selected by
the international Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD) as one of only two Australian universities to be
benchmarked against universities internationally for their regional
engagement practices.
The ground-breaking international project will examine the
practices of Higher Education Institutions in 12 regions around the
world and compare their regional engagement strategies and
successes to establish benchmarks to measure universities
world-wide.
USC and the University of Southern Queensland (Wide Bay) will
represent the Sunshine and Fraser Coasts and a Regional Steering
Committee of business and government leaders has been established
to oversee, steer and ensure the continuing commitment of the
Sunshine and Fraser Coast regions to the project.
Regional Co-ordinator for the project, Associate Professor Ron
Neller from USC, said selection for the project will attract
international recognition to both regions.
"The project will identify the best practices of USC and USQ
(Wide Bay). What is working well and why it is working well," he
said.
"We will be part of an international model of how Higher
Education Institutions can positively enhance and benefit the
regions they are located in, and how those institutions can in
return benefit and grow from community and business
involvement."
Professor Paul Thomas, USC Vice-Chancellor, has welcomed the
international recognition of the University of the Sunshine Coast's
work within the region.
"USC has consistently led some of the thinking and practices on
university engagement in this country, and this has now been
recognised by the OECD," Professor Thomas said.
"Many of these strategies have begun to have a long-term impact
on the development of this region and in particular its commitment
to generate new economy jobs."
Professor Ken Stott, Provost at the USQ Wide Bay campus,
(representing USQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Bill Lovegrove), agrees
that international recognition for the regions is a critical
component of future development.
"The project comes at a key strategic point for USQ as the
University seeks to take its engagement with the regional community
to new heights," Professor Stott said.
The results of the project will be presented to the regions late
next year.