VALUE CONFIRMED: The joint study shows the huge economic impact made by institutions like SCU Coffs Harbour.   Picture: Rob Wright

by Greg White

Universities such as Southern Cross, New England and others in the Regional Universities Network (RUN) are likely having a greater economic impact than already known.

The Coffs Harbour campus of Southern Cross University (SCU) was part of a joint study done by Nous Pty Ltd and the Centre for Policy Studies which found the educational institutions provide a notable multiplier effect on regional jobs, wages and productivity.

The study found the RUN group contributed $1.7 billion to real GDP in their regions through growing the skilled workforce and increasing wages.

They drive demand through increases in private and government consumption and international and interstate exports and contributing to industry through research and knowledge capital.

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