Inala University Study Hub reaches 200 students as local demand grows

The Inala University Study Hub has welcomed its 200th student just eight months after officially opening, marking a significant early milestone for the new tertiary education facility in Brisbane’s southwest.

That student is Leanne, a local who has swapped a decades-long career as a chef for a new path studying law.

Her journey reflects the diversity of students using the Hub and the different pathways bringing people to tertiary education.

Centre Manager Dr Su-Ann Tan said the milestone demonstrated the value of providing flexible study support close to home, particularly in helping strengthen tertiary participation and educational equity.

“The Hub is a relational space where trust is built, students feel genuinely known and a stronger sense of belonging can develop,” Dr Tan said.

“For many students, it also provides something they don’t have at home – a quiet, local place to study, connect with supportive people and feel part of a learning community.”

More than 60 per cent of students using the Hub live in surrounding postcodes, reinforcing its role as a local learning space. Well over 50% are also the first in their family to undertake tertiary study.

The first 200 students are studying across 23 different institutions, from vocational education through to postgraduate and research degrees, and represent more than 24 languages and dialects.
Health, education and engineering have emerged as the most popular fields of study.

Master of Education student Deb said the Hub helped her separate study from the demands of everyday life.

“I love the Inala Study Hub. It is comfortable, welcoming, relaxing and extremely well set up and resourced,” Deb said.

“The atmosphere puts me ‘in the zone’ to focus on study. As soon as I walk through the door, I feel everything else fall away mentally and I am ready to get into my learning.”

Bachelor of Games Design student Toby said having a dedicated study space close to home had made a significant difference.

“The Inala University Study Hub has provided exactly the study space I needed. My university is far away from home and I could never really concentrate at home,” Toby said.

“It has amazing facilities, supportive staff and a welcoming atmosphere. I plan to study here for a long time and am proud to call it my study space.”

Students enrolled at any Australian tertiary institution can access the Hub’s free, campus-style facilities and support, including secure study spaces, high-speed Wi-Fi, computers, printing, academic learning advice, student support, career guidance, peer activities, and community connections.

The Inala University Study Hub is delivered by the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) and funded through the Australian Government’s Suburban University Study Hubs program, which aims to improve access to tertiary education through local study spaces, support services and opportunities to connect.

Dr Tan said reaching 200 students was an encouraging early indication of the Hub’s impact.

“This milestone is just the beginning of what we hope the Hub can achieve as we continue to build a student-led environment where students feel supported, confident and connected throughout their study journey,” she said.