THE federal government will inject an extra $26 million into the University of Canberra in a bid to attract more regional and international students. 

Chief Minister Katy Gallagher, with Tertiary Education Minister Chris Evans and Federal MP Andrew Leigh, announced the investment today, which will go towards a new curriculum, flexible learning, partnerships with other tertiary providers as well as opening new markets to the University.

“It means that here in Canberra we could see a 50 per cent increase in the number of local, regional national and international students at the University with the benefits of this flowing directly into our local economy,” Gallagher says.

“We recognise the importance of education to the ACT economy as the largest non-government export and its importance to our city as a whole.  During the election we committed to providing $2 million to StudyCanberra which will focus attention on growing Canberra as an education destination for local, regional and international students.

“The ACT Government will work alongside the University of Canberra to strengthen their role as a premier health University by delivering the University of Canberra Public Hospital.”