More tertiary students in Melbourne’s outer north now have even greater access to education after the opening of the latest study hub in Epping.
Skills and Training Minister Andrew Giles cut the ribbon on the north’s second study site at Epping’s Melbourne Polytechnic School on Friday 17 October, following the opening of a study hub for Broadmeadows on 13 August.
“The Epping study hub will open up learning opportunities and new pathways, including for students who might be the first in their family to pursue tertiary education,” Mr Giles said.
The hub is led by La Trobe University with support from the federal government’s suburban study hubs program, aiming to provide a dedicated space for studies and tertiary training for students studying any degree at any university.
La Trobe University student, Vi Nguyen is in his final year of a health information management course, lives locally and cycles to the hub regularly.
He said it feels as welcoming as the university’s Bundoora campus without the long commute.
“I use the hub quite often. It’s close to home, has great facilities and helps me work efficiently to stay on track with my studies,” he said.
“It’s local to my home and allows me to save time commuting to campus, which gives me more time to study. It’s good for my mental and physical health, as well as financially.”
La Trobe Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell said the hub reflected the university’s mission to expand access to higher education and strengthen local partnerships.
“To meet the tertiary education needs of Melbourne’s rapidly expanding northern suburbs, La Trobe is committed to working with community partners, like Melbourne Polytechnic, to enable young people to participate, grow and succeed in higher education,” Professor Farrell said.
