Lynne Mowbray|
After opening its doors early last month, the Country Universities Centre Clarence Valley (CUCCV) was officially opened in Grafton, on Tuesday September 3.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro who officially opened the campus at Grafton, said that the new CUC is the start of a new chapter, for the people of the Clarence Valley.
“Young people will have the opportunity to access tertiary education like they’ve never had before, in a very unique, innovative model that allows us to deliver in corners of the state where you won’t normally find a university campus,” Mr Barilaro said.
“I think it’s exciting. This will change generations, this will change lives and I’m really proud to be here for the opening,” he said.
Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis said the new facility is fabulous because it gives our local kids the opportunity to study locally.
“Moving away from your family, friends and life to study for a better future is a sacrifice not everyone is able to make and this Centre will give young people and mature age students the opportunity to gain a tertiary qualification while continuing to be a part of the local community,” Mr Gulaptis said.
“It saves the cost on them and it saves the cost on their family and they can train and get an education in a profession that they can (then) get a job in locally.
“So this is a wonderful opportunity to build a local workforce to strengthen our communities, so that regional communities can be a force in the future,” he said.
Country Universities Centre CEO Duncan Taylor congratulated the CUCCV board members for their hard work leading up to the Centres opening.
“It’s been two years of work for the local board to get to this point and they’ve done a wonderful job,” Mr Taylor said.
“The spaces for the students are fantastic and it’s starting to show, with the students coming through the door in great numbers.
“So I’m really optimistic this will be a very important facility for Grafton and something I hope that will be really valued by the community,” he said.
At the time of going to print, the CUC have 65 registered students.
