The head of a Victorian university expects more students will choose country campuses amid the pandemic population shift, which is good news for regional communities.
This week more than 110 students from La Trobe University's Shepparton campus graduated, following ceremonies for their regional peers in Mildura, Bendigo and Wodonga.
The events were the first in-person graduation ceremonies since the pandemic began last year.
Regional campuses to shine
The chancellor of La Trobe University, John Brumby, said universities were already seeing students opting to undertake studies in the regions following the population decentralisation during the pandemic.
He said that was evident during a recent visit to Bendigo.
"Absolutely we think the regional campuses will become more important," Mr Brumby said.
"We are starting to see a lot of students who would normally be studying in Melbourne studying there [Bendigo].
"I think we're going to be saying the same thing in Shepparton.
But, he said, for the true potential of regional universities to be reached, more students needed to be allowed in.
"If we keep seeing that population growth, if we keep seeing students wanting to study here, linking into the local jobs market … that's a fantastic story for Shepparton."
Regional campuses create regional jobs
This week's graduation ceremony at Shepparton included graduates from the first master of social work course at the campus.
The 12 students were employed in the local community before they had even graduated.
Social work course coordinator Dr Corina Modderman said the ties between the university and local agencies had helped students to build the experience needed to meet that local skills shortage, particularly during the pandemic restrictions.
"We experienced a lot of support in Greater Shepparton," Dr Modderman said.
She said those community ties helped regional campuses to stand out and retain professionals.
"Because the community really wanted us, we have felt part of that from the start, working closely together with a lot of local social workers," Dr Modderman said.
"That makes our course very different as well because we know our agencies, we know our social workers, they come to campuses, they teach into our course, they offer us fabulous field education, so I think we are really strong here in Shepparton."
Tough times still ahead
Amid the optimism, Mr Brumby warned that there was still a long road ahead for regional universities to reach their potential and meet community skills shortages.
Caps on student numbers due to the pandemic have meant revenue has been declining, and will continue to do so until Australia's borders re-open.
The university reduced its workforce by 450 people last year across Victoria, with most of those positions lost in Melbourne.
Mr Brumby said more jobs were expected to go.
"We will have further reductions this year," he said.
The university has its hopes pinned on an effective quarantine system that will help to boost international student numbers.
