This university partnership with the City of Bunbury provides opportunities for graduate employment, work integrated learning and research initiatives for Edith Cowan University (ECU) students.
The Memorandum of Understanding sets out key areas for future collaboration that benefits the Bunbury community and strengthen the local economy.
It will also see the two organisations work to promote the region nationally and internationally by positioning the South West as a destination for future students.
Through the partnership, the City of Bunbury will give ECU the first right of refusal on any research requirements and will look to ECU for academic training and development of City staff.
ECU will partner with the City on external grant funding opportunities for regional initiatives and consider work integrated learning and graduate employment opportunities with the City.
ECU Vice-Chancellor Professor Steve Chapman welcomed the new agreement.
"We're delighted to see this level of commitment from the City of Bunbury to increase educational, research and engagement opportunities," he said.
"ECU has the largest regional university campus in the State and it's in one of the fastest growing regions in Australia. This strategic collaboration with the City is paramount to strengthening the region. We're keen to continue developing opportunities for current and future ECU students to study, live and work in the South West."
City of Bunbury Mayor Jaysen Miguel said he looked forward to collaborating with ECU.
"This is an exciting partnership between the City and ECU, paving the way for some great opportunities and providing multiple benefits to our community and our local economy," he said.
"Bunbury is ideally located and has the infrastructure to cater for students to be based here, so I'm keen to see this MOU further promote those possibilities."
This period has also seen the University announce 12 scholarships worth $585,000 for students studying at the ECU South West Campus in Bunbury.