Study-at-home message is getting through to Murray Bridge tertiary students
Student numbers are on the increase at the Murray River Study Hub.
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In years gone by, if you wanted to earn a university degree, you needed to move to the city or commit to a long commute – but not any more.
An increasing number of Murraylands students are enrolling at the Murray River Study Hub instead.
The Murray Bridge hub offers in-person guidance, and a quiet place to study, for students who want to pursue their university studies online.
The idea is that supporting students who want to stay in the region will help them maintain friendships, jobs and community connections; and encourage them to stay long-term.
Arlo Davis is one such student.
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He graduated with a Bachelor of Accounting from Flinders University last year, earning the Auditor-General's Department of SA Prize in Auditing and multiple certificates of excellence along the way.
“The most obvious benefit of studying online was not having the long drive to Adelaide three times a week,” he told the study hub earlier this year.
“I could instead spend that time smashing out assignments and online quizzes, which gave me an edge over face-to-face students.”
His local connections then earned him a career start with local firm 3B Financial Services.
“My boss never asked to see my resume or cover letter because he already knew who I was through cricket,” he said.
About 60 students are now working towards tertiary qualifications through the hub – that’s more than twice as many as last year.
That was a great result, Murray Bridge council CEO Heather Barclay said.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see our student numbers soar,” she said.
“We’re seeing record community engagement, with people interested in up-skilling themselves without sacrificing their regional lifestyle.”
Another 160 students have already completed courses at the hub since Emily DeMichele became the hub’s first graduate in November.
That was the main aim, hub coordinator Vanessa Leigh said: “We’re not just encouraging people getting started, but supporting them to complete (their studies)”.
A recent survey by study hub staff showed that 45 per cent of local year 12 students were interested in staying in the Murraylands while they completed their tertiary studies.
- More information: www.murrayriverstudyhub.org.au.
- Read more: If our employment system is broken, could this learning and innovation hub be the answer?
