Where do they go next? How UniSQ became part of Springfield’s story

When Raynuha Sinnathamby looks across the skyline of Greater Springfield today, she sees more than a growing city; she sees a vision decades in the making.

As UniSQ Springfield marks its 20th anniversary, the CEO of Springfield City Group is reflecting on the long-term partnership and shared ambition that helped bring a university campus to one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions.

“This land was really founded by my father Maha Sinnathamby and his business partner Bob Sharpless,” Raynuha said.

“They had a bold vision to build a city. Right from the dawn of that dream, they had three pillars – education, health, and IT.”

Education was always central to the Springfield vision.

“In the early days, the schools were really the focus,” she said. “But quite soon, it became, ‘Well, where do they go next?’”

That question helped shape the push to bring a university to Springfield – a vision Maha strongly believed would be critical to the region’s future.

“My father had always had a vision that he wanted a university to be part of Springfield – to achieve that true town and gown relationship that you see in many cities across the world,” Raynuha said.

Early conversations with former UniSQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Bill Lovegrove ultimately helped turn that vision into reality.

“By the time Bill Lovegrove became Vice-Chancellor of UniSQ, we had already begun discussions about establishing a campus here,” she said.

“Under Bill’s leadership, we were able to make that happen.”

Raynuha said UniSQ quickly proved to be the right fit for both the region and its people.

“We thought UniSQ was an absolutely perfect fit for this demographic and for this corridor,” she said.

“Before the campus was here, it was quite difficult for kids to travel from this region to Brisbane to get to university.

“It was expensive, it was far, and it was just beyond the reach of some of the families living in this corridor.”

Raynuha said the arrival of a local university campus changed what many families believed was possible.

“Having UniSQ as a university that really understood first-in-family students was fantastic,” she said.

“Now it has become the local campus – the campus that kids growing up can see. It’s just down the road for many people.

“I think it’s been wonderful that kids can see something they can aspire to.”

Over the past two decades, UniSQ Springfield has become a key part of the social, cultural and economic fabric of the region – supporting thousands of students through flexible and industry-connected education opportunities.

For Raynuha, one moment continues to stand out.

“We always remember being at that first graduation, and we talk about it a lot here in this organisation,” she said.

“One of the things I remember the first valedictorian saying was, ‘If not for this university, me nor 50 per cent of the cohort sitting out there would have ever gone to university.’

“So we really feel proud that we’ve helped, in a little way, change the lives of people in this region.”

As UniSQ Springfield celebrates its 20th anniversary, Raynuha said the partnership between Springfield City Group and the University remained as important as ever.

“We’re really proud of our relationship with the University of Southern Queensland,” she said.

“We look forward to working with them as the University continues to grow and look after the students of this region.”

Learn more about the UniSQ Springfield 20th anniversary.