“The proportion of the population who participate in higher education in regional Victoria is about half that in the city of Melbourne,” Vice-Chancellor John Dewar said.

“That’s a huge gap – to me, that is utterly indefensible.

“Regional kids are no less smart than their equivalents in the city and no less in need of higher education… yet we have this stark inequality between the two.”

The university intends to apply for a share in a $3.5 million round of National Priorities Pool grants, intended to encourage more regional Australians to study.

Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie commended La Trobe University on its commitment to the Bendigo campus, where about 80 percent of students come from regional areas. 

“We need to address issues of aspiration, access and achievement for regional students,” she said.

Professor Dewar took an opportunity at yesterday’s graduation ceremony to remind Ms McKenzie La Trobe University was keen to get a medical school in the region. 

“We have 2000 health students in this city,” Professor Dewar said. 

“Eighty percent of them will go on to work in the regional medical or health workforce.

“That is the importance of regionally delivered higher education – we are the source of the employees that will keep health services ticking over in medical areas. And that is why we want a medical school.”

Applications for National Priorities Pool grants close on May 31.