• 17 federal government Destination Australia scholarships worth more than $800,000 for international students to study in Orange and Bathurst
• The scholarships are part of 63 scholarships valued at $2,838,000 to be awarded across Charles Sturt’s wider regional footprint
• Attracting students to pursue a career in regional Australia central to Charles Sturt’s mission to contribute to vibrant regional communities

Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt) will receive 17 federal government Destination Australia scholarships worth more than $800,000 for international students to study in Orange and Bathurst.

The 17 scholarships for the central west – four for Orange, and 13 for Bathurst − are part of 63 scholarships valued at $2,838,000 to be awarded across Charles Sturt’s wider regional footprint.

Member for Calare, Mr Andrew Gee, MP, made the announcement with Charles Sturt Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann (both pictured) at the University in Bathurst today.

Mr Gee said tertiary education providers had been provided the scholarships through the Coalition Government’s $93.7 million Destination Australia program.

Professor Andrew Vann welcomed Mr Gee’s announcement, saying the scholarships provided further incentive for students to study at regional universities.

“It’s pleasing to have this financial incentive from the federal government and it provides another reason for students to study in regional areas,” Professor Vann said.

“Our students have a great learning environment, are hands-on, and find well-paid, full-time employment faster than graduates from any other Australian university.”

The October 2019 edition of the ‘Good Universities Guide’ released by The Good Education Group revealed 86 per cent of Charles Sturt graduates are in full-time employment within four months of completing their course − a superior rate to any other Australian university.

“Our alumni have a proud history of swiftly realising their career goals and contributing to their communities in meaningful ways,” Professor Vann said.

“Attracting students to regional areas not only provides a short-term boost to regional economies, but they often stay or pursue a career in regional Australia which is key to our mission of contributing to vibrant regional communities.”

More than $1.3 million worth of scholarships have been allocated to higher education providers in the Calare electorate, following the announcement 32 scholarships would be available to international and domestic students next year.

“Destination Australia provides scholarships worth $15,000 a year to students who study at a regional university or vocational education provider,” Mr Gee explained.

“Our region has some great teaching facilities in Charles Sturt University and TAFE Western and these scholarships will provide an attractive opportunity for international and domestic students to choose to study in the central west,” Mr Gee said.

“International students who study in regional Australia rate their living and learning experience higher than students based in metropolitan centres yet just three per cent of our 690,000 international students were enrolled in regional Australia last year,” Mr Gee added.

“Our Government’s Destination Australia program is helping to attract more students to study in regional Australia and we can help by promoting the central west as an attractive study destination because of our lifestyle, lower cost of living and smaller class sizes.”

The application and eligibility process will now commence with the aim to have students in 2020 able to access the scholarships.