30 August 2021
The Regional Universities Network (RUN) has announced the return of the RUN Conference in 2021, which will explore how regional universities build and sustain regional communities.
RUN21 will be a fully online conference, held on Thursday, 16 September and Friday, 17 September from 12-2pm both days.
RUN’s executive director, Mr Alec Webb, said that the Conference, organised in collaboration with Twig Marketing, will explore how our regional education providers are anchor institutions for their regions.
“Now, more than ever, we’ve seen just how critical our regional universities are, not only to the regions, but to the nation,” Mr Webb said.
“We’re keen to discuss this topic in depth, and we encourage participants from all industries to join with us to explore how our regional education providers can continue to benefit the regions, and wider Australia.”
The RUN21 Conference will bring together leaders from regional universities and institutions, regional students and graduates, academics, experts in regional research, policy experts, and national politicians.
“Our seven member universities will be featured across the Conference, as will their students, speaking to their experiences at a regional university and how it has benefited them,” Mr Webb said.
“We will also hear from regional alumnus Nareeta Davis, from CQUniversity, who recently won the Queensland Law Society First Nations Solicitor of the Year. Nareeta will share her insights into study, and then subsequently gaining employment in the regions and going on to have an incredibly successful regional career.
“We are also thrilled to have the Minister for Regionalisation, Regional Communications and Regional Education, the Hon Bridget McKenzie, and Shadow Minister for Education and Women, the Hon Tanya Pliberseck, address the Conference and share their insights on the importance of regional education.
RUN Chair, Professor Nick Klomp, said now is an opportune time to explore the challenges of the regions, and the integral role regional universities play in delivering the solutions.
“We have long known that regional universities change lives for our students, their families and our wider communities. And what we’re progressively understanding is the key role the regions, and their universities, play in the future of our nation,” Professor Klomp said.
“From addressing skills shortages, meeting the ever-evolving needs of industry and community, and delivering innovations and solutions-driven research to the complex challenges our world faces today, regional universities are at the forefront of re-building and sustaining our communities.”
Registrations for RUN21 are now open at www.run21.com.au.
Contacts:
Mr Alec Webb, Executive Director
Elle McCosker, Media Adviser, 0497 656 438
Website: www.run.edu.au
Twitter: @RegUniNet #RegUnisHelpRegions
Facebook: www.facebook.com/regionaluniversitiesnetwork