The Wangaratta Regional Study Centre, a collaboration between Charles Sturt University (CSU) and Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE (GOTAFE), will be officially opened on Friday 1 May 2015.

The Centre will be opened by The Nationals Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie, alongside CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann and GOTAFE Chief Executive Officer Paul Culpan.

Construction of the $7.2 million centre was completed in late 2014 and funded by the Australian Government's Education Investment Fund.

CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann said the shared facility is designed to improve higher education outcomes in regional Australia.

"The Wangaratta Regional Study Centre aims to improve higher education participation and attainment by increasing students' access to world class tertiary education infrastructure and teaching," Professor Vann said.

GOTAFE's CEO, Paul Culpan sees great potential in this development for the Hume region which currently has a low tertiary education participation rate.

"The development of educational pathways for regional students is fundamental to supporting our local communities and industry," Mr Culpan said.

"This development in Wangaratta consolidates both our organisations' commitment to improving skills and learning, and provides a real opportunity for our region to flourish."

Academic collaboration and partnerships between CSU and GOTAFE have developed in recent years, aligned to the strengths of both institutions in regional education.

"Expanding the University's existing partnership with GOTAFE to build effective pathways to higher education for regional Australians is helping to build sustainable regional institutions and communities," Professor Vann said.

"A highlight of the partnership between CSU and GOTAFE is the successful development of the Bachelor of Veterinary Technology, an integrated course which had its first intake this year and has been very positively received by industry and students."

The courses offered through the Wangaratta Regional Study Centre include Agricultural Business Management, Agriculture, Horticulture, Wine Business, and Veterinary Technology. Additionally, credit packages are available to GOTAFE graduates from a range of Certificate IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses who progress to a CSU bachelor degree.

The Centre is located on Tone Rd, Wangaratta, and was designed by Brewster Hjorth Architects and built by Joss Construction.