Uni Hub Spencer Gulf’s Port Augusta site has celebrated a huge milestone – five years of supporting regional students to study tertiary education locally.
The hub, which has sites in Port Augusta and Port Pirie in South Australia, celebrated with local students, staff and community members. The event recognised the hub’s meaningful contribution to student success and its broader impact on the wider community.
Uni Hub Spencer Gulf is funded under the Australian Government’s Regional University Study Hubs program. The hubs provide students with dedicated study spaces equipped with computers, printers and high-speed internet, along with access to academic support, administrative assistance and wellbeing support.
The Port Augusta site opened in July 2020, providing further opportunities for regional students to study a university degree without having to leave their community.
The hub has supported over 500 students since opening in 2020, with more than 80 students currently studying at the hub.
Centre manager Shannon Pillon said she is proud of what the hub has achieved in the last five years and appreciates those who believed in their vision to deliver a successful study hub.
“We set out to create a place where local people could pursue higher education without leaving home. Today, we have more than 80 students who are studying through the Port Augusta University Centre and choosing to stay locally while building their future,” Shannon said.
“Every one of those students has a different story. Some are just out of school, others are retaining or upskilling for a career change. But what they all share is the courage to pursue something big, and we’re so proud to support them.
“Five years on, we’re still driven by the same goal: to give people in our community the chance to study, succeed and stay.”
There are 56 Regional University Study Hubs located in all states and the Northern Territory, with 48 of them currently open and operating. The remaining eight hubs are set to open during 2025.
In Semester 2 2024, the hubs supported over 5,200 students and since the program’s establishment, it has supported over 15,200 students.
Find out more at Regional University Study Hubs.