The Victorian Government has called for submissions on ways to increase tertiary education participation as the first step in the development of a Tertiary Education Plan for Gippsland.

 

The call follows the appointment of an expert panel, headed by former University of Melbourne Vice Chancellor Professor Kwong Lee Dow.

 

The Victorian Minister for Higher Education and Skills Peter Hall said the plan was needed because tertiary education participation figures showed the region was lagging behind much of the state.

 

2009 data shows that:

  • 26.4 per cent of Gippsland government school students have university as their post school destination compared to a state average of 41.3 per cent;
  • 31.3 per cent of all Gippsland school students have university as their post school destination compared to a state average of 49 per cent;
  • 17.1 per cent of all Gippsland students defer their university offer, compared to a state average of 9.8 per cent.

 

Once written submissions are received the panel will prepare a discussion paper. A series of consultation meetings will also be held with interested parties throughout Gippsland.

 

Skills Victoria, part of the Department for Education and Early Childhood Development, will provide secretariat services to the panel, with submissions due by close of business on 27 May 2011.

 

Further information is available at www.skills.vic.gov.au.