Charles Sturt University (CSU) Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Ian Goulter, has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Senator the Hon. Chris Evans, of funding for a new campus in Port Macquarie.

 

“This funding will allow Charles Sturt University to establish the foundations for a new campus that will serve the Mid-North Coast region,” said Professor Goulter.

 

“Our vision is to grow our presence in Port Macquarie to around 5 000 students by 2030 and offer a diverse range of programs in health, science, education, creative industries, and business.

 

“The University has been working closely with the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council for over two years on a strategy to establish a major campus of Charles Sturt University in Port Macquarie.

 

“This reflected long-held concerns in the community about the lack of local options for students on the Mid-North Coast, and persistently low levels of participation in higher education.

 

“Charles Sturt University is Australia’s largest regional university, and has had significant success over many years in establishing new and growing campuses across rural and regional Australia.

 

“More than 70 per cent of our on campus students are from regional areas, and more than 70 per cent of these commence work in regional areas after graduation.

 

“Expanding educational opportunities for regional students in regional areas is critical if we are to ensure a growing supply of skilled professionals to meet the needs of regional employers and industry.

 

“This funding will allow us to implement the first stage of our strategy, which involves offering integrated courses with North Coast Institute of TAFE, and pathways for TAFE students who have completed vocational qualifications. These students can gain credit for their TAFE course and complete their entire degree in Port Macquarie.

 

“Our aim is to commence offering direct-entry undergraduate programs in Port Macquarie over the coming years.

 

“Now that we have secured funding for stage one of the campus development, we will commence talks with the local council, community, local members, business and TAFE about the best way to use the money to ensure we have the space and capacity to grow over the short to medium term.

 

“The University will finalise the appointment of a new campus manager for the campus in Port Macquarie in the next month, and will commence teaching students in February 2012.

 

“This investment demonstrates that the government understands the importance of higher education to the future growth of Port Macquarie and the Mid-North Coast, and its confidence in the Charles Sturt University Regional Development Model.

 

"The federal government should be congratulated on supporting this initiative.