Coalfield giant BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) has backed the Isaac Region’s Country Universities Centre (CUC) by donating a car in the first industry partnership with the organisation.

The BMA-sponsored vehicle allows staff to cover the region’s 58,000sq km for community engagement, promotions, career expos, and education events.

“With the Moranbah CUC up and running, we are on the road quite a bit as we work towards opening a centre in Clermont,” CUC Isaac manager Kim Edwards said.

“We travel to Mackay regularly to meet CQU and JCU university staff, and just last week we attended a community event in Clarke Creek.

“With BMA’s generous support we were able to purchase a Hyundai Tucson Hybrid vehicle.

“They are the first to support us, so we hope other mining companies will also look at us as partners in helping to reduce the skills’ shortage.”  

BMA head of operations Mariette Bylsma (pictured above with Isaac councillor Melissa Westcott and the donated vehicle) said the company was committed to partnerships that delivered for the regions BMA’s workforce and families called home.

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“This initiative reflects our belief in equal access to education, and the power of collaboration to create tangible opportunities for regional students—supporting them to stay connected to their communities while building their futures,” Ms Bylsma said.

“While mining is under pressure from global market conditions and the Queensland Government’s unsustainable coal taxes, BMA remains deeply committed to our communities.”

CUC Isaac – part of the Regional University Study Hub network across Australia – opened in August, with 44 students already registered and studying in Moranbah.

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