Deakin at your Doorstep – new Associate Degree program

Deakin University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sally Walker announced today (Friday 12 December 2008) that the Australian Government has awarded Deakin an $8.21 million grant under the Uiversity and Structural Adjustment Fund. The grant, the largest for a single project awarded to any university in Australia, has been provided for the innovative 'Deakin at your Doorstep' project.

The 'Deakin at your Doorstep' project will develop and deliver a two year Associate Degree program providing an accessible pathway to higher education focusing on students in rural and regional areas. Some of the students will go on to undertake full degree programs; others will be better able to obtain employment. The program will be delivered from Deakin's Warrnambool Campus and via leading edge technology through partnerships with Victorian TAFE institutes.

Professor Walker said, "Deakin University is delighted that the Federal Minister for Education, The Hon. Julia Gillard, has supported our 'Deakin at your Doorstep' project. The project is a demonstration of Deakin's commitment to rural and regional engagement. It will provide new pathways to higher education for rural and regional students who would not otherwise obtain a university place and it will be responsive to the needs of regional employers."

Deakin Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor John Rosenberg said, "The Associate Degree will be designed, developed and delivered through Deakin University's Warrnambool Campus, which will benefit from a major upgrade of its online teaching and learning facilities as well as the outcomes arising from the development and delivery of a new and innovative program. The Associate Degree will also be delivered through access centres at TAFE institutes including Sunraysia, East Gippsland and Chisholm.

"The grant will ensure that over the next three years, Deakin's Warrnambool Campus becomes an exemplar in the use of broadband and leading edge multimedia technology to provide accessible programs to students in rural and regional areas."