The Hon Martin Ferguson AM MP
Minister for Resources and Energy
Minister for Tourism
representing
Senator Chris Evans
Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills,
Jobs and Workplace Relations
LaTrobe University
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Acknowledgments
- Traditional owners: the Wurundgeri [wa-run-ja-ree]
- Professor Paul Johnson, Vice-Chancellor of La Trobe; and
- Mr Colin Brooks, State Member for Bundoora.
Introduction
Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is my pleasure to be here to today to open this new Student Hub and refurbished Borchardt Library on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Tertiary Education, Senator Chris Evans.
The Student Hub and Borchardt Library are important resources for students here at the heart of Bundoora campus.
This is why the Australian Government committed more than $9 million in funding from the Better Universities Renewal Funding to support their revitalisation.
Significance of project
The significant upgrade to the library and the improved access to student services in the Student Hub will improve the student experience here at La Trobe University even more.
The Student Hub combines many non-academic student services into a single location at the entry to the ‘student axis’.
It is an impressively flexible space, allowing student services to expand in peak-demand times or become smaller when students require the space for more study locations.
The refurbishment of the library has also been an impressive project.
Some of the key improvements include more than 850 additional study spaces, a greater number and variety of technology-enabled group study spaces, and more rooms for collaborative and individual study.
Rather than using ‘off the shelf’ products, custom designed and constructed elements have been incorporated throughout the building.
The old 1960s library has been transformed into a modern library environment that is vibrant, engaging and welcoming.
I understand that the library refurbishment has been entered in the 2011 Wood Awards in the interior fit-out category. So I wish you good luck when the winners are announced shortly.
University study has changed a great deal in recent years, particularly with technological advances.
This changes means that universities have had to provide an evolving learning environment.
They continually have to look at ways to improve.
La Trobe University clearly achieves this.
The improvements to the library really equip it to cater for 21st century approaches to study, and make it a world-class facility.
Most importantly, it means that more students than ever before are using the resources the library offers.
These facilities also contribute to building positive relationships with our local schools.
The partnership between La Trobe University and Charles La Trobe College, which provides the college with access to university staff, students and facilities is one excellent example of this.
Australian Government support
Over the last few years, the Better Universities Renewal Funding has provided $500 million to 41 universities to assist in upgrading infrastructure.
Projects like this one are now being completed in universities across Australia, providing critical infrastructure and vital student amenities.
They include the construction or refurbishment of lecture theatres, tutorial rooms, auditoriums, laboratories, libraries, world-class information and communication technology infrastructure.
Infrastructure programs
Better Universities is part of the Government’s commitment to build a strong and vibrant higher education sector by funding modern education and research facilities.
Together with the Teaching and Learning Capital Fund for Higher Education and the Education Investment Fund the Government has committed more than $4.5 billion to transform higher education and research infrastructure.
This investment is about building a modern, productive Australian economy to meet the challenges of the future.
Demand-driven system
The Government is also implementing reforms that will mean that more Australians will have the chance to gain the qualifications they need to access the high-skilled jobs of the future.
The Government’s demand-driven system for domestic undergraduate student places will be implemented from 2012, and universities will be able to enjoy sustainable growth and diversity in response to student needs.
Skills Australia has forecast that by 2025 a third of all jobs will require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree qualification.
To meet that demand for highly skilled workers, the Government is ensuring that more Australians can get a place at Australian universities.
And this demand is no more apparent than in my own areas of portfolio responsibility - resources and energy.
Global demand for mineral and energy commodities is driving a rapid expansion of those sectors.
We have a record number of developments either underway or in the pipeline, some like the $43 billion Gorgon project in Western Australia, are of a scale that it is difficult to imagine.
And this demand is no more apparent than in my own areas of portfolio responsibility - resources and energy.
Global demand for mineral and energy commodities is driving a rapid expansion of these sectors.
We have a record number of developments either underway or in the pipeline, some like the $43 billion Gorgon project in Western Australia, are of a scale that it is difficult to comprehend.
And these developments need highly skilled professionals.
Historically there has been a public perception that mining and resource operations are largely unskilled and unsophisticated – that they are just about digging stuff out of the ground and shipping it off to places like China.
My friends today that could not be further from the truth.
Mining and petroleum operations use, and indeed drive the development of, some of the most sophisticated technology and processes in the world.
In the iron ore province in the Pilbara companies like Rio already remotely control their trains for distances up to 1,200 kilometres and are pioneering the development of driverless trucks.
And of course Rio Tinto is also part of La Trobe’s R&D Park right here at Bundoora.
Offshore, Shell has recently committed to building the world’s first floating liquefied natural gas facility. This facility will be three times the size of the MCG and the largest floating structure ever built.
Engineers, lawyers, accountants, project managers – all these professions are in high demand now and will be even more so in coming years.
The career opportunities are, in my opinion, truly dazzling, and by offering enhanced teaching and learning facilities, like those we are launching today, the Government is aiming to give you the best chance of realising them.
Conclusion
In conclusion I simply offer my congratulations to La Trobe University and everyone involved in making this project a reality.
Your efforts will improve the campus experience for students here for many years to come.
To all the staff and students at Bundoora, I wish you every success.
It is now my great pleasure to officially open the Student Hub and the refurbished Borchardt Library.
Thank you