The Country Universities Centre Macleay Valley (CUC) officially opened its doors to students on Thursday 18 March.
Located at Kempsey Central on Belgrave St, the CUC is free for all university students studying at any higher education institution in Australia, from Diploma through to Ph.D.
CUC Macleay Valley Chair and Kempsey Shire Mayor, Liz Campbell, said it was exciting to have the new purpose-built facility open and located in the heart of Kempsey.
“The CUC gives our community the space it needs to keep university students living and studying here, whilst providing them with the opportunity to connect with likeminded people and create a learning network," Cr Campbell said.
“The new centre is a fantastic space, it feels special to be in and is conducive for study. The finishing touch will be all the students filling the centre.”
The new facility offers multiple work areas for students, smaller study rooms for a quiet study experience, computer and printer facilities and a kitchenette for when a study break is needed. Conference facilities and larger lecture rooms also create opportunities for a more collaborative study experience.
CUC Centre Manager, Kinne Ring, said enrolling in a university course can be a daunting task for many regional students as approximately 50 per cent are the first in their family to study at a tertiary level.
"I know what it's like to have to leave to study. The CUC can assist students at every step of their journey, from choosing the right course, navigating the enrolment process, applying for financial assistance, understanding the language of university and having a quiet space to study," she said.
“Over the first few days we will have over 25 students in for orientation.”
Due to the pandemic, many universities moved their courses online and whilst some have slowly started bringing students back to campus, thousands of students are still completing their studies remotely. This has created greater opportunities for students to remain in the comfort of their homes. However, as many will attest to, working from home has brought a new set of challenges as many homes do not offer a conducive environment needed for quiet study.
Local students wanting to access the newly opened CUC should make an appointment for orientation by emailing the Centre Manager here