Kempsey has been named a selected site for a Country Universities Centre, it was revealed at the council meeting today.
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Kempsey Shire Council passed a mayoral minute that states council supports the establishment of the centre in Kempsey, with the general manager to work alongside Regional Development and Country Universities to seek funding for the project.
The Country Universities Centre is a not-for-profit organisation, established with the aim of making tertiary education more accessible for regional and remote communities by bringing education to them.
"Kempsey has been highlighted as one of five new areas that Country Universities is considering for a centre," mayor Liz Campbell said.
Councillor Leo Hauville spoke for the motion and said the centre would be a benefit to the community.
"This will allow students to stay home and continue their studies without having to move away," Cr Hauville said.
"It also means they can enroll in universities offering the course they want to study anywhere in Australia, while living here."
The Country Universities Centre delivers supported learning to students and provides them with access to campus-level technology, facilities, tutors and network of fellow students.
Cr Anthony Patterson said the project will promote Kempsey as a place to live for local youth.
"It's great for our area. To have the education for students to utilise and it will help encourage the youth to stay here in Kempsey instead of moving away for university or having to travel to Port Macquarie," he said.
The project is in it's infancy, with a number of site options and funding still to be decided.
The mayoral minute at the meting stating council will support the establishment of the centre was passed unanimously.
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