Charles Sturt University (CSU) will move its photography degree currently based on its Albury-Wondonga Campus to Wagga Wagga Campus in a move to integrate the course with related areas and provide a richer learning experience for students.

“Photography is an integral part of modern visual arts and the course fits well with our existing expertise in areas such as graphic design and multimedia located in Wagga,” said Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Lyn Gorman

“The move to Wagga will allow greater interaction for the photography students with students and lecturers in related courses and increase their educational and employment opportunities,” Professor Gorman said.

“It will also allow closer research and professional collaboration between photography and other academic staff in the school.”

In coming to this decision, Professor Gorman said the University consulted extensively with its Albury-based staff and students as well as key groups in the Albury community, including the Albury City Council, the Albury Regional Art Gallery and Learning City Albury Wodonga.

“We acknowledge the important role of CSU in Australia’s regional arts scene, including Albury, and we will look to maintaining and improving on the success of photography graduates, the exhibitions and nationally recognised programs such as the National Photographic Portrait Project in coming years,” Professor Gorman said.

In a decision ratified by the University on Monday 11 April, the Bachelor of Arts (Photography) course will move to the Wagga Wagga Campus in 2006. However, current students enrolled at Albury-Wodonga Campus will be given the opportunity to complete their course in Albury.