Regional education minister visits Shepparton and Dookie

THE Hon Fiona Nash, Australia's first Regional Education Commissioner, recently visited the University of Melbourne's Dookie and Shepparton campuses to observe the teaching and learning activities taking place, and how they are benefiting rural communities.

During her visit to the Dookie campus, Ms Nash received a briefing on the Bachelor of Agriculture and the Diploma in General Studies (DiGS), while also learning about the important work being done by the Victorian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, and NorVicFoods. The Commissioner had the opportunity to tour the animal handling facilities and the robotic dairy while meeting with students.

“It was great to hear that students are discovering the benefits of a rural lifestyle and developing strong community ties while at Dookie, and how their courses are setting them up for fulfilling careers as future leaders in primary industries,” said Ms Nash.

At the Shepparton campus, the Commissioner spent time touring the Department of Rural Health. Adjacent to Goulburn Valley Health, the department is responsible for delivering the University's Doctor of Medicine Rural Pathway. Ms Nash had the chance to interact with first-year medical students who expressed their enthusiasm about the program.

Professor Julian Wright, head of the Department of

Rural Health, explained how this unique program, which commenced in partnership with La Trobe University, allows medical students to study and train in regional Victoria, aiming to address the ongoing shortage of doctors in rural areas.

In addition to her role as Regional Education Commissioner, Ms Nash is also a member of the Universities Accord Panel, which is currently conducting a major review of the higher education sector—the first since 2008. The panel is expected to provide an interim report the following month, with a final report scheduled for December.