1.
Regional Engagement
May 2003
Murdoch University Strategic Plan Goal 4:
To engage with communities in the Rockingham/Peel/Kwinana area in order to increase the participation rate in university education and to add value to the local community through relevant research and educational initiatives.
Environmental Factors:
Low participation rates
High youth unemployment rates
High population growth
Rising socio-economic indicators
Strong competition from other universities, especially in Peel (for students and research)
Industries located in our region bring in 30%+ of WA’s GDP
Growing local community support
Perception that Murdoch has not committed itself to Peel in the past
Kwinana’s lingering disappointment at not having a campus
Successful TAFE in the region
Freeway extension and railway plans will benefit both regional campuses
Nelson Review of Higher Education has some incentives for regional operations and for teaching and nursing
Key Area: Regional Recruitment
Campus growth: 1996 - 26 students, 2003 - 912 students. Projections for 2003 have been achieved (568 EFTSU predicted for 2003, and 585 achieved)
List of academic offerings and enrolments for 2002 and 2003 (attached)
Innovative Structured Workplace Learning program. First Federally funded project undertaken by students. First international placement student. 20 students placed in 2002 and 16 so far in 2003. Over 50% immediately gained employed.
Primary Education degree offered for the first time at Rockingham in 2003. Huge first preference demand. (118 1st preferences, 291 total preferences) 84 students enrolled
Bachelor of Nursing approved for the Peel Campus, subject to Commonwealth funding
Unifocus 10 week bridging program at Rockingham and Peel targeting unemployed - 30 students enrolled in the Peel program. Another 60 places to be offered this year.
Local school preferences. Murdoch is the preferred university in Rockingham/Kwinana, Curtin is the preferred university in Peel. (See graphs attached)
First Rockingham campus University Medallist, awarded for 2002 - Kevin Brennan, Rockingham Senior High School graduate.
Whole of University marketing approach: targeting top local school students and also raising aspirations via alternative access programs
Key Area: Collaboration with Industry, the Community, and Government
Successful application to Kwinana Industries Council via Kwinana Industries Education Partnership (KIEP) for Unitrack scholarships valued at $13,000, for 37 local year 12 students to complete our Foundation Unit in 2003
Kwinana Industries Council Unitrack Scholarship Presentation – government and industry leaders attended
Successful application to the Peel Development Commission for $17,000 towards Unitrack scholarships for Peel year 12 students
Successful application to the City of Mandurah for $5000 towards Unitrack scholarships
Establishment of Rockingham Steering Committee
Establishment of the Peel Steering Committee
Free Murdoch Community Lecture Series - Community Stories – to attract community to the Rockingham campus and showcase our research
Rockingham Regional Campus Community Library: from Jan 1st to April 30th 2003,61,511 patrons used the library (approx 750 per day when it was open) with 67,967 loans.
Frisk Festival Youth Film festival held on campus 2 May 2003 – City of Rockingham in partnership with the Murdoch Media program
Successful think tanks with City of Mandurah and City of Rockingham. Another planned for Town of Kwinana and several planned for Industry. These provide an opportunity to showcase Murdoch University’s Research & Development capacity and build partnerships.
Presentation to Alcoa Alumina Australia outlining our Research and Development strengths and seeking partnerships. (Kwinana is the national Alcoa research hub with 80-90 research staff)
Presentation to Kwinana Industries Council outlining our Research and Development strengths and seeking partnerships (KIC: 33 companies, employ 12,500 people, produce goods worth $3b p.a.)
Major research projects proposed or in train in the region (a selection will be reported)
Key milestones and events
Successful application for DEST Capital Development Pool funding $2.5 million
Application to DEST for 80 new Regional places
Winner - 2002 Premier’s Award Education and Skills Development Category – Peel Education Campus
WA Cabinet meeting held at City of Rockingham on 28 April 2003. Murdoch University and Chamber of Commerce invited to participate in the event
Memorandum of Understanding between Murdoch University and City of Mandurah signed in March 2003
Senate meeting on 14 April 2003 was held in the Mandurah City Council Chambers and was followed by a dinner hosted by the City of Mandurah
Key issues to address:
The need to offer relevant courses that lead to good employment prospects for people in the region
The need to develop a special emphasis for each campus while retaining flexibility to address local needs and take advantage of future opportunities
The need to take full advantage of our proximity to the Kwinana industries and other major industries in the region
Creating a vibrant campus life with limited resources on small campuses
Attracting international students to the regional campuses
Risks:
Competition from other universities and providers for students and research partnerships in the region
Extra cost per capita of resourcing multi-campus offerings, amenities, facilities and infrastructure in early years when student numbers are small. (Including costs related to attracting International students)