Staying Local, Studying Big

CUC Engineering Futures At Home

Moranbah High School vice-captain Ethan Azzopardi hopes to be one of CUC Isaac’s first graduates: he’s one of five high school students who have already enrolled for the region’s new Country Universities Centre.

The first of its kind in the Isaac region, the CUC Isaac campus gives locals a free, practical base to study without leaving town. Open from 6am to midnight, seven days a week, the centre provides high-speed internet, printers, quiet rooms, exam supervision, video conferencing and face-to-face support. It’s part of a national network designed to make higher education more accessible for regional students who often face isolation or the high costs of moving away.

With his sights set on studying a Bachelor of Engineering with honours at either QUT or the University of Queensland, 17-year-old Ethan’s family was preparing to meet the expense of moving him to Brisbane and finding campus accommodation.

Now he’s able to stay in Moranbah, which he said was a financial relief for his parents but also an opportunity for him to be supported by his father who works for BHP’s Peak Mine.

“I thought I was going to have to go to Brisbane for QUT or UQ because those are my top two preferences and leave my family home,” Ethan said. “For me, I want my life to be more set forward and I don't want to get the distractions of Uni like parties: I'm not into that, but in here I'll be able to focus on work and school.”

Ethan said he did not think he was missing an ‘on-campus’ experience.

“With people asking those questions, I just say it's more financially stable for me and I can set up my career pathway better,” he said. “I get the support from my parents in town and from CUC – it's a lot more comforting. One of my homes is rowdy and the other is quiet, thanks to Dad. When I'm at my mum’s house it's good to come here because I’ve got two little siblings and them trying to break into your room all the time, isn't helpful for studying.”

For Dad, Justin Azzopardi, who has lived in Moranbah for 19 years, it means he can provide mentoring but also utilise the money that would have been spent on campus accommodation elsewhere.

“It was great, such a big stress relief,” Mr Azzopardi said. “I can help him pay his HECs bill instead of putting that money towards accommodation and food there and help him get his car and all those things matter so much. I was amazed because I was trying work out how we were going to get everything rolling to give him the best opportunities and now I know he can get everything he needs right here.

“Being in the mining industry, I can also relay information to him that can help him further, as well as leading to other opportunities after his studies or find some scholarships while he’s studying.”

The new centre was made possible with $2 million from the Regional Economic Futures Fund and $1.4 million over four years from the Federal Government’s Regional University Study Hubs program. A second facility is planned for Clermont in 2026.

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Moranbah High School vice-captain Ethan Azzopardi with his dad Justin and CUC Isaac Manager Kim Edwards at the opening of the new Country Universities Centre, which is giving locals the chance to study and stay in their hometown. Photo supplied

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