Taskforce continues push for Kimberley Universities Centre, as students set to get a say about what courses would keep them at home

High school students across the Kimberley will soon be asked for their input into what university courses they want to see offered in Broome, as a taskforce ramps up its push for more tertiary education options in the region. A steering committee of politicians, community leaders and teachers last year began discussions to launch a Kimberley Universities Centre, which would engage campuses from across the country to roll out more course options to meet the needs of students in the region and keep them at home. The KUC would be modelled on existing centres in the Pilbara and Geraldton and use existing classrooms at the University of Notre Dame Australia Broome campus to provide face-to-face learning to support online lessons. Students in Years 9 to 12 at each high school in the region are set to fill out a survey to gauge the demand for different career aspirations, while potential mature-age students who could use the facility would also be asked for input. Broome Future Alliance executive officer Tony Breugem said working out the demand for the centre was an important next step in bringing the project to fruition. “This will allow us to create a business case for how the centre could work,” he said. “It will look at what their aspirations are and if they would use the facility, but we would also create a separate survey for the general community for other people who still want to study.” Mr Breugem said the aim of the KUC was to retain youngsters in the region, who were more likely to work locally if they did not have to leave to complete their studies. Federal Member for Durack Melissa Price said it was crucial to get the view of students and listen carefully to the community. “We need to keep our kids at home, create jobs here and ensure they have the education they need — this is how we build communities,” she said. “When they leave the region to go study, chances are they are not coming back and I am very passionate about keeping young people in our regions and creating our own workforce.” Ms Price said she expected education, nursing, social work, engineering and business to be among the high demand courses. BFA, UNDA, Ms Price, Department of Education, Broome Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Shire of Broome are among the drivers of the project.