Charles Sturt University (CSU) will draw on the expertise and experience of the primary industries sector on the NSW Mid-North Coast with the launch of a new industry advisory sub-committee.

The University's new Seafood and Horticultural Industries Advisory Sub-Committee will advise the University on the potential for educational and research programs relevant to the region's seafood and horticultural sector to be developed at Port Macquarie.

Head of Campus at CSU in Port Macquarie Emeritus Professor Ross Chambers said, "Advice from the Mid-North Coast's primary industry sector is essential if we are to understand the possible future demand for courses and research in these fields in Port Macquarie."

The role of the Seafood and Horticulture Industries Advisory Sub-Committee will be:

• To advise CSU on the development of educational and research programs to meet the future needs of the seafood and horticultural industries on the Mid-North Coast and nationally, and if relevant:
• To assist CSU to develop sustainable plans for educational and research programs at the Port Macquarie Campus which support the future needs of these industries, including workforce recruitment and professional development;
• To assist CSU to promote careers in these industries;
• To advise CSU on research priorities for these industries and to promote links between local industry and the University in research and development;
• To refer proposals for programs outside the seafood or horticultural industry to a relevant University Industry Advisory Sub-Committee, or to the Faculty, for consideration and advice.

"Charles Sturt University intends our Port Macquarie campus to cater for wide range of disciplines and by 2030 it is expected to have an enrolment of around 4 000 students," Professor Chambers said.

"The University is no stranger to research and educational programs in primary industries.

"The University has grown to have one of the largest enrolments amongst Australian universities in the broad field of agricultural, animal and veterinary sciences. Primary industries are the largest field of PhD research at CSU."

The University houses three research centres in fields relevant to primary industries: the Institute for Land, Water and Society, the Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation and the National, Wine and Grape Industry Centre.

The launch of the Industry Advisory Sub-Committee follows the allocation in 2013 of $5.9 million in Commonwealth funding towards an $8 million Food, Soil and Water Research Centre to be built by CSU in partnership with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.

The membership of the Sub-Committee will include representatives of the region's seafood and horticultural industries as well as the University's Faculty of Science. The Sub-Committee will report to the Campus Development Committee.

Read more about CSU in Port Macquarie in CSU News here.