The University of the Sunshine Coast will officially open for business on the Fraser Coast on Monday 1 February.

USC will move into a campus on Old Maryborough Road at Hervey Bay that has been the local base for the University of Southern Queensland for the past 18 years. The facility will now be known as USC Fraser Coast.

In a symbolic gesture, USQ’s Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Janet Verbyla will present USC’s Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Birgit Lohmann with the keys to the campus at 11am (outside the administration building auditorium – Room A139).

Media are welcome to attend this event, which will be followed by a brief presentation by Professor Lohmann to 34 local staff who have accepted positions with USC.

Professor Lohmann said the handover of the campus was a significant occasion for USC and for the region.

“This handover follows many months of careful planning and work by both institutions to make the transition for staff and students as smooth as possible,” she said.

“USC has a strong commitment to servicing demand in the Fraser Coast region for a diverse higher education offering to support future education, skills and workforce requirements.”

Professor Lohmann will also launch a staff induction program, to be held across Monday and Tuesday, which will include information sessions, a staff expo and the opportunity to meet members of the USC Executive.

For students, USC is planning a special Welcome Day on 19 February. This will feature fun activities, an official welcome and orientation events like campus tours and study information sessions.

USC is still accepting applications to study at the Fraser Coast campus for Semester 1, which will begin on Monday 29 February.

Available study programs are the Bachelor of Business (Marketing), Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), Bachelor of Human Services, Bachelor of Nursing Science, Bachelor of Primary Education, Bachelor of Primary Education (Graduate Entry), Bachelor of Sports Studies and a bridging program called Tertiary Preparation Pathway. For more details go to www.usc.edu.au/frasercoast

— Terry Walsh