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TAFE Queensland partners with Southern Cross University
TAFE Queensland and Southern Cross University have joined forces to offer bachelor degrees on the Gold Coast.
By TAFE Queensland
The Bachelor of Contemporary Music and the Bachelor of Digital Communications and Media will be offered at TAFE Queensland's Coomera campus from 2020.
Southern Cross University Vice Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker said by partnering with TAFE Queensland it provided a wonderful opportunity to expand their course offerings to the northern Gold Coast area for the first time.
“Our Coolangatta campus at Gold Coast Airport is one of the fastest growing in Queensland and now with a northern Gold Coast offering Southern Cross University is moving to ensure that growth continues,” he says.
TAFE Queensland General Manager on the Gold Coast, Karen Dickinson, said she was proud to partner with Southern Cross University to deliver bachelor degrees in a practical, job-focused learning environment.
“Creating an environment where students get the best of both worlds - hands-on training combined with university thinking - will make graduates highly sought after by employers,” she says.
“The training facilities at our TAFE Queensland Coomera campus are acknowledged by industry as being among the best in Australia. Our world-class equipment and collaborative training spaces mean that students stay at the forefront of technology and graduate job-ready.”
Southern Cross University was also the first university in Australia to offer a Bachelor of Contemporary Music, initially introduced in 1986 when it was known as the Northern Rivers College of Advanced Education in Lismore. Founded by highly regarded composer, conductor and music educator Professor Clive Pascoe, the program was also the first of its kind in the world at the time.
Southern Cross University music program course coordinator Matt Hill said it was a very exciting opportunity for Southern Cross.
“The Gold Coast has a vibrant contemporary music scene and it will be great to be able to offer the program to aspiring musicians in the area,” he said.
TAFE Queensland’s Coomera campus, is located opposite Westfields and the railway station, and features some of the most modern and well-equipped music performance and production facilities in Queensland.
Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman said it was a fantastic partnership between TAFE and Southern Cross University to ensure more young people can gain valuable, hands on skills and training.
“TAFE Queensland Coomera provides world class training in music and digital communications and it’s great that they can share this with tertiary students as well,” she said.