La Trobe University has welcomed a new 10-year national strategy that will improve tertiary education opportunities for regional students.
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The National Regional, Rural and Remote Tertiary Education Strategy stems from a review chaired by former Victorian premier Dr Denis Napthine.
The review provided seven key recommendations to the federal government, including improving access to tertiary education for regional and remote students, and improving financial support services.
The government has also been advised to provide targeted support for underrepresented groups like Indigenous Australians and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as build aspiration in regional communities through better career advice programs.
La Trobe Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar said as one of the largest higher education providers to rural and regional Victorians, the university would support the new strategy.
"We have long called for a coherent policy approach that uses Higher Education to fully unlock the economic, intellectual and social potential of our thriving regional centres," Professor John Dewar said.
"We hope that this plan will finally fill that policy gap."
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows people who grow up in regional, rural, and remote areas are about 40 per cent less likely to gain a tertiary qualification than those who live in metropolitan areas.
Minister for Education Dan Tehan told the National Press Club on Wednesday that the federal government accepted the aims of the seven key recommendations from the Napthine Review.
But Mr Tehan said the government still needed to consult on the 33 specific actions and would respond in due course.
"Our government believes that every Australian, no matter where they live, should have the opportunity to get a degree that leads to a good job," Mr Tehan said.
"The Napthine Review will inform our Government's continued focus on bridging the divide between city and country students."
Professor Dewar said the new strategy aligned with La Trobe University's mission.
"We look forward to working with Minister Tehan over the coming months to refine and build on these proposals to ensure the best outcomes for regional and rural Victorian communities," Professor Dewar said.
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