La Trobe University has declared that more regional students will have a chance to become nurses and social workers in its courses as it unveils plans for its Albury-Wodonga campus.
According to the La Trobe Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Dewar the university is to offer a new Diploma of Health Sciences for the first time in Albury-Wodonga in 2021, enabling eligible students to move seamlessly into degrees in nursing, health science and social work upon completion.
“This new course will appeal to Year 12s and non-school-leavers who want to undertake university study in a health discipline, but perhaps don’t meet the entry requirements for one of our Bachelor programs,” Professor Dewar said.
“It will not only help more regional students become degree-qualified, it will bring more health professionals to rural and regional communities, where they are needed most.”
He said that under the university’s plan the Albury-Wodonga campus would continue to offer courses addressing the strong rural workforce need – including nursing, social work, education, psychology, biomedical science – as well as popular courses across arts, science and business.
“If we can provide students greater flexibility and choice in how, when and where they study, and this entices more students from across the country to commit to higher education – including in rural and regional areas – then we have achieved an important part of our mission,” Professor Dewar said.
He said the university’s new Regional Connect program would help make online study at La Trobe more attractive for students living within commuting distance of the Albury-Wodonga campus.
“Regional Connect gives students access to fellow students, networking opportunities, events, placements and project partners – as well as a vibrant campus experience, with all the services, facilities and social events valued by regional students,” he said.
“So, whether studying online, face-to-face, or a mixture of both, our students will continue to reap the benefits of regional study,” Professor Dewar said.
He said that as part of the plan, La Trobe was also committed to working in closer partnership with Wodonga TAFE to ensure students have seamless pathways between vocational and higher education in areas of student demand and workforce need.
