North Coast TAFE’s long-standing partnership with Southern Cross University (SCU) reached a new collaborative milestone yesterday when a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed opening up new opportunities for North Coast students gaining entry to university.

Associate Degrees in business and health will be offered through Southern Cross University’s newly established SCU College from June this year. SCU College, which is wholly owned by Southern Cross University, has been established to encourage greater participation in higher education across the region, from Coffs Harbour to the Gold Coast, by providing additional pathways into university.

Southern Cross University Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Lee said the University was looking forward to working with North Coast TAFE in delivering the Associate Degrees.

“SCU College will provide access to higher education for a cohort of students who may have the ability but not have had the level of preparedness to access university,” Professor Lee said.

“Students will be able to exit with an Associate Degree or continue on into a full degree course at Southern Cross University.”

North Coast TAFE Institute Director Ms Elizabeth McGregor, who signed the MOU with Professor MacGillivray, welcomed the agreement.

“As the region’s largest education provider, North Coast TAFE is pleased that the new SCU College has chosen to partner with us to extend university pathways to communities and groups of students who have previously not had access.”

Following the MOU signing, these services are expected to be rolled out progressively during the next 12 months with Grafton, Murwillumbah, Ballina, Casino, Grafton, Maclean and Kingscliff the potential TAFE sites.