Student numbers cause uni dilemma

Busselton's chances of a university have been discounted by campus professors due to dwindling student numbers in neighbouring shires.

Speaking at the Capes Higher Education and Training Forum in Dunsborough on Friday, Edith Cowan University vice-chancellor Kerry Cox said there was “very little chance” the region could sustain its own university.

ECU, which runs scaled-down versions of its Perth campus in Margaret River and Bunbury, has recorded a decrease in student numbers since 2006, which a staff member at the forum blamed on the mining boom and lack of public transport.

Curtin University of Technology board member Lance Twomey told the forum the Capes region would need a population of at least 500,000 to draw enough students to a university.

“The State already has five universities competing fiercely for student numbers,” he said.

Professor Twomey said Federal, State and local government funding would be crucial to the building and operating costs and paying for staff.

He suggested distance learning or a small regional university with links to TAFE as an alternative to a university campus.

UWA vice-chancellor Alan Robson also highlighted the difficulties of regional universities.

“We started a degree in Albany … we get 10 to 12 students a year to do that degree and it loses money,” he said.

However, Professor Robson added regional universities were important in broadening education facilities for students, regardless of their location and Charles Sturt University vicechancellor Ian Goulter said regional students needed “genuine choice”.

Forum initiator and Federal MP for Forrest Nola Marino said Busselton and Augusta-Margaret River shire councils should not be discouraged by the “hurdles” of building a university and should consider the population growth of the region.

She said a university would allow Capes students who could not afford to relocate the chance to study for a degree.

“Often it’s purely about the fact that they cannot afford it,” Ms Marino said.

“This financial barrier is a serious issue.”

The forum was hosted by Busselton and Augusta-Margaret River shire councils through the Capes Regional Organisation of Councils.