The Member for Cowper, Luke Hartsuyker, said the project will involve the development of an intensive online course for first-year university students to improve their maths skills and increase their confidence in maths-related subjects.

The project will be led by Dr Geoff Woolcott, from the University's School of Education, and will also involve partner universities from the Regional Universities Network.

While the course will initially be offered online to students across all Southern

Cross University campuses, it will eventually be rolled out across the national education sector in the form of a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course).

Mr Hartsuyker said the grant for Southern Cross University is one of 21 national priority pool projects being funded across Australia.

"This funding will open up new ways of helping people from disadvantaged circumstances get an education that expands their opportunities, particularly indigenous students and those living in regional and remote areas," Mr Hartsuyker said.

For more information go to www.education.gov.au/higher-education-participation-and-partnerships-programmeheppp.