Charles Sturt University is now officially the largest regional university in Australia and the fourth largest university in NSW by student enrolments.

This is due to sound financial management and a strong national position which has allowed us to expand and develop those areas of priority said CSU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian Goulter in releasing the University’s 2003 Annual Report to the Parliament and Community today.

The Report states that during 2003 the University continued to increase revenue and investment income while its reliance on Commonwealth funding as a proportion of total revenue fell to 33.5 per cent, one of the lowest levels in the Australian higher education sector. 

“It is good economic management which has allowed us to keep student fees at the same levels for 2005,” said Professor Goulter. “It also allows us to consider the University’s needs over time to assure the continuing quality of our programs and the services we provide to students.”

In releasing the Annual Report, the Vice-Chancellor re-affirmed CSU’s commitment to “advancing the sustainability of rural and regional communities through the provision of quality education, meeting regional workforce needs especially in health, education and business and in providing leadership in research.”  

“CSU spends over $140 million each year directly in its region,” Professor Goulter said. Quoting from a Senate submission he said the flow-on effect of the University’s operations included more than $220 million in indirect economic activity and the creation of over 4000 additional jobs.

Reinforcing the critical role the University plays in the social and economic development of regional NSW and north east Victoria Professor Goulter said, “University research shows that over 70 per cent of regional students and 20 per cent of metropolitan students who study on-campus at CSU take up initial employment in regional areas once they graduate.” 

Professor Goulter reiterated his position that CSU is not only a regional university, but has students enrolled in study from all around the world. “CSU’s success in being able to attract international students strengthens the programs we are able to offer in our regional communities and builds the depth of the CSU experience for students.”

Further highlights in CSU’s Annual Reporting:  

• Figures released this month by the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training show that CSU is the largest regional university in Australia and the fourth largest university in NSW by student enrolments.
• It is the eighth largest university in Australia for overseas student enrolments. In 2003, CSU had more than 3500 students in Malaysia, over 2000 in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan and more than 600 students in the UK and Canada.
• CSU will next year become the first University in Australia to offer a Veterinary Science course outside a major metropolitan centre to develop professionals to care for Australia’s commercial flocks, herds and breeding stock. 
• In 2003, CSU expanded its research capacity in the areas of rural sustainability and applied research for the professions receiving over 130 rural and regional research grants.
• A national survey of student experience in 2003 identified 74 per cent of students indicated positive overall satisfaction with the University and almost 87 per cent of students were in full time work at the end of their studies.