Our Story
Who we are
We are driving change in regional education by empowering the Far West community to fulfil their potential through higher education. We are increasing access by providing a highly connected learning community in Broken Hill to overcome the barriers to success.
Why we are here
Regional and rural communities deserve quality opportunities to pursue their dreams without the need to relocate. Our mission is to provide regional people with the space and tools they need to create a vibrant and more prosperous future for themselves and their wider community.
What we do
We have created a dedicated learning and study space in Broken Hill that has been designed for regional people by regional people. Students have free access to high-speed Internet, modern technology, and general academic support all delivered here at CUC Far West. Students have the opportunity to build a network of like-minded fellow students and can take advantage of being part of a state-wide learning community.
Who we are here for
All people in the Far West region who are studying higher education from any Australian university or non-university higher education provider. If you are a local business or service provider interested in engaging with locally trained university graduates and students, or hosting student placements and work-based learning, we are here for you too.
How it all began
Like many regional and rural communities, the small town of Cooma faced challenges in providing access to quality tertiary education opportunities and injecting knowledge and qualifications into the local workforce. In 2013, the establishment of the Cooma Universities Centre was funded by Snowy Hydro Limited, Cooma Monaro Shire Council (as it was then known), and key community members to support local students in achieving their educational aspirations.
And so, our incredible journey to change the future of regional education began.
A decade on, the expanded and rebranded Country Universities Centre is a government-funded network of 13 Centres operating in 18 communities across New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria.
Alongside state government seed grants in recognition of the Centres’ impact, the CUC has secured funding under the federal Regional University Centres (RUC) program. This program has placed the study hub model in the national spotlight, with RUCs emerging across Australia, all developed for their local community by their local community. Our Centres also benefit from membership of the larger CUC network.
CUC Far West officially opened in May 2018 as an affiliate of Country Universities Centre, with support from the NSW Government, Broken Hill Community Credit Union and Regional Development Australia Far West. In late 2018 we were successful in obtaining Federal funding to deepen our operations and engagement under the Regional University Centres program. Since opening, we have supported over 600 Far West students in their learning journeys, and we look forward to being part of the future of higher education for the Far West region.
Click here for more information about the Country Universities Centre network.
