Last year, at about this same date, I put this blog on hold. This was largely because I considered a university campus to be crucial to Dandenong's evolution, and was waiting to see whether Swinburne, the most likely of the existing universities, would establish a campus here. It's become clear this is now very unlikely.

There have nonetheless been some positive developments in providing university-level opportunities in Dandenong. Deakin has established a small presence on the corner of Walker and Lonsdale Streets. It has created a learning hub — a hybrid online and face-to-face approach to teaching — currently offering a Bachelor of Health Sciences. Deakin may expand this project in future, with a Bachelor of Business Information Systems slated for next year.

Chisholm has also begun offering a handful of specialised bachelor's degrees. Chisholm's website lists 3 available through its Dandenong campuses: a Bachelor of Interactive Media and Design (presumably offered through its new design centre on Lonsdale Street); a Bachelor of Engineering Technology (an experience based course); and a Bachelor of Accounting in partnership with La Trobe (available from the Lonsdale Street building).

There are several reasons why I believe a strong university presence is critical to Dandenong's future, but of most importance is society's growing dependence on its information workers. If the city can't offer information-based training and employment opportunities locally, locals and potential locals will go elsewhere, stunting the city's development. It would remain an overgrown and unwieldy suburb, offering only a narrow range of job opportunities, rather than growing into a centre of diverse opportunity and activity.

Deakin, Chisholm and La Trobe have taken some promising but very small steps. The success or failure of these efforts at attracting students and producing graduates will very likely determine whether further university-level opportunities are made available — and ultimately will determine whether this city can stand on its own two feet.