When asked an opinion of a program allowing students to obtain qualifications in business studies through the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) and Charles Sturt University (CSU), Lieutenant Commander with the Royal Australian Navy Samantha Woods replies with one word – “outstanding”.
A Supply Officer currently employed in the Defence Materiel Organisation in Canberra, LCDR Woods completed a CIT Advanced Diploma of Accounting in 2008. She remained on the Institute’s campus at Reid to commence a Bachelor of Business Studies in 2009, graduating with Distinction from CSU in 2011.“It was outstanding,” said the Navy officer. “The support provided could not have been better. The tutors were excellent, and the course was interesting and varied and gave a great generalist business qualification, with a useful Asia-Pacific focus,” said the serving Navy officer.
“The Canberra Institute of Technology’s campus at Reid was convenient for my work and home and a great venue for study.”
LCDR Woods has embraced lifelong learning and is hoping to complete her Graduate Certificate in Maritime Logistics and Management through the Australian Maritime College this year and then a Masters in Management or Professional Accounting.
“I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to gain my business studies degree through the pathway program offered by the CSU-CIT agreement. I would be keen to recommend it to others and urge both institutions to consider offering other degrees.”
The relationship between CSU and the CIT to provide study options for LCDR Woods and 33 other CSU business studies graduates during the past three years was marked in a ceremony in Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 21 March. 
A new Memorandum of Understanding was signed by CSU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Ross Chambers and CIT Chief Executive Officer Mr Adrian Marron to continue the cooperation between the two education providers.
Professor Chambers said, “The Memorandum of Understanding is the framework for our relationship with Canberra Institute of Technology. The link to CIT is proving very valuable to both institutions and we are pleased to renew and extend our cooperation.
“More than one-third of our undergraduate commencing students come to Charles Sturt University via TAFE pathways. Our pathways with the Canberra Institute of Technology are an important and successful model of TAFE-University linkages.”
Mr Marron said, “The important factor in this is it allows us to offer more choices for students in the ACT and surrounding region. I fervently hope the post secondary education environment continues to allow autonomous institutions to be equal partners to increase choices for students.“
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