In the week Charles Sturt University (CSU) celebrates its past, present and future with its annual Foundation Day, it has released an Economic Impact Report that demonstrates the positive impact the University has on regional Australian economies.

CSU commissioned the Western Research Institute (WRI) to undertake an analysis of its economic impact for 2016. A similar study was conducted in 2011 and 2015 by WRI.

Acting CSU Vice-Chancellor, Ms Jenny Roberts, said the report confirms the University’s place in regional Australia and its commitment to the building of strong and vibrant cities, towns and communities in New South Wales and Victoria.

“From the local businesses who benefit from non-local students and their visitors to the opportunities CSU research investment dollars bring, it’s heartening to see we have such positive impact,” Ms Roberts said.

In producing the report, the economic impact of the University’s operations and non-local students on the regions of its main campuses in New South Wales were measured. Across all regions the report pointed to stronger Gross Regional Product (GRP), household incomes and full-time employment.

“The publication of the report on Foundation Day is symbolic in our role as a foundation of the community contributing growth and local employment, as well as boosting household income in the regions,” Ms Roberts said.

Foundation Day is held every year to mark the establishment of the University with the signing of the Charles Sturt University Act on 19 July 1989.

Ms Roberts said the annual event was a way for past and present students and staff to celebrate the people who make up the University community and its commitment to the public good.

“Foundation Day gives us a chance to engage with our communities, to reinforce our commitment to them and remind them of what we do,” Ms Roberts said.

All members of the CSU community are being asked to wear red and share a photo of their red attire or their Foundation Day celebrations on social media using the hashtag #celebratecsu. The University will be sharing the on-campus action through its Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and SnapChat.

"We know the Charles Sturt University community is spread around the world and we're hoping to see even the far corners of the globe painted with a little bit of red and a lot of CSU pride on Wednesday,” Ms Roberts added.

The University community is also invited to donate to CSUgive which helps the CSU Foundation support more scholarships for the next generation of CSU students.

Economic Impact Report snapshot:

Central Region

This region covers; Central West, Far West, Orana, Hunter Valley excluding Newcastle, New England and North West, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. CSU has campuses in Bathurst, Dubbo and Orange.

Overall in 2016 CSU contributed $213.4 million GRP (0.3 of total region), $151.8 million household income (0.5 percent of total region) and 1,958 FTE employment (0.4 percent of total region).

The main industry sectors to benefit from CSU in terms of FTE were health care, social assistance, retail, food services and accommodation.

Northern Region

This region covers the Mid North Coast, Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Richmond through to the Tweed and has one CSU campus located in Port Macquarie.

Overall in 2016 CSU contributed $17.7 million GRP (0.06 percent of the region), $8.2 million household income (0.06 percent of the region) and 104 FTE employment (0.05 percent of the region) when flow-on effects are taken into account.

The main industry sectors impacted by CSU Port Macquarie Campus operations in terms of FTE were health care, social assistance, retail, food services and accommodation.

Southern Region

This region covers the Illawarra, Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven, Capital Region, Riverina, Murray, North West, Bendigo, Hume, Shepparton, Wellington and Gippsland-East. CSU has three campuses in this region in Albury-Wodonga, Goulburn and Wagga Wagga.

Overall in 2016 CSU contributed $388 million GRP (0.4 percent of region), $272.4 million household income (0.7 percent of region) and 3,317 FTE employment (0.6 percent of region) when flow-on effects are taken into account.

For a detailed analysis by region of CSU’s economic impacts download the full Economic Impact Report from the Charles Sturt University website.