In training: La Trobe University second year nursing students Teliah Ciccone, Jennifer Richardson and Jamie Woodyard in one of the clinical learning spaces on the Shepparton campus.
Photo by
Anna McGuinness
The number of nurses graduating from Shepparton’s La Trobe University could double as part of plans for a $10.5 million redevelopment unveiled on Tuesday, February 22.
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Once completed, the university will have more clinical learning facilities, study areas and meeting spaces, allowing more students to be enrolled in critical areas like nursing and allied health.
The Federal Government will contribute $5 million to the project, with the rest to be covered by the university.
La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar said expanding the campus would increase capacity and improve the learning experience for students.
“Higher education is the gateway to improved employment, social wellbeing in the community, as well as to filling critical skills gaps in the workforce,” he said.
Grand plans: La Trobe University Shepparton head of campus Elizabeth Capp walks Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum through the project plans.
Photo by
Anna McGuinness
“If we can do all that in Shepparton without young people having to go elsewhere to study that’s going to be a huge win for the city.”
About 100 students graduate each year from the campus, into areas including health, education, business, arts and social work, and Prof Dewar said most remained in the local region to work.
“This project will not only provide more spaces to collaborate, study and socialise, it will help us enrol more nursing students – something desperately needed by our health partners and the local community,” he said.
The project includes a bigger library, modern study spaces, a community events and gallery space and the expansion of the Ngarrapna area where Indigenous students could study and access specialised support.
It will also aim to encourage more industry engagement through workspaces for external research partners and community members to collaborate on campus.
Artist impression: La Trobe Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar (left) says the redevelopment will help fill skills gaps in the local workforce.
Photo by
Anna McGuinness
Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum said he hoped it would be the first of many opportunities for the campus to grow.
“The redevelopment plans unveiled today are very exciting, not only for La Trobe University and its students but also for the wider region,” he said.
Students were welcomed back to campus this week after two years of disruptions and online learning due to COVID-19.
Most learning, teaching and support services will be face-to-face but some settings considered high-risk, such as lectures, may continue online.
Works on the redevelopment will start in late 2022 and La Trobe staff are now in consultation with the regional advisory board and key industry and community partners on the plans.
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