Toowoomba has been recognised for its world-class education services, with the state’s education minister launching The Education Capital initiative yesterday (August 19).
Kicking off the scheme yesterday, John-Paul Langbroek said the project aimed to propel Toowoomba into the internationally renowned education ranks – joining Princeton, Cambridge and Oxford.
“With 32 primary schools, 18 secondary schools, the Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE and a USQ campus, education is one of Toowoomba’s greatest assets where one third of the population is engaged in formal education,” Mr Langbroek explained.
“Toowoomba is known locally as a centre of excellence in education, but the challenge now is to broadcast that message to the rest of Australia and the world.”
The initiative has so far received praise from the local community, businesses and education providers in the regional centre, which is located 125 km inland from Brisbane.
Professor Jan Thomas, of the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), developed the scheme in recognition of Toowoomba’s sizeable contribution to the nation’s education landscape.
Mr Langbroek commended Ms Thomas for her leadership in the initiative.
“With an academic of her calibre driving this project, I think we can expect to see great things for education in Toowoomba in the coming years,” he added.
