Charles Sturt University (CSU) has received a $2 million boost from the latest round of capital grants announced by Federal Education Minister Dr Brendan Nelson.

The grant, to be spent during 2006, will fund vital teaching and research facilities for the new School of Rural Health at the Thurgoona Campus, which will be formed when the current School of Community Health moves from the University’s Albury City Campus. It is in addition to $2 million in Federal funds announced in 2002.

The new school will be part of the $20 million development that will significantly expand education facilities on CSU’s Thurgoona Campus over the next four years.

“There is an acknowledged critical shortage in all allied health professions in rural and remote Australia to which Charles Sturt University has responded. The University’s Faculty of Health Studies sees as a priority the provision of programs of study in areas of health that promote best practice and the skills requisite for employment in country areas,” said Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Goulter.

“The $4 million in capital grants so far secured from the Federal Government will be combined with significant resources to be provided by the University to finance the development.

“The University is particularly grateful to the Federal Member for Farrer, Susan Ley for her assistance in securing the Federal funding, which confirms the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding rural health education at CSU.”

The new Head of the Albury-Wodonga Campus and inaugural Head of the School of Community Health, Professor Gail Whiteford, said the funds will go some way in helping meet the need for providing highly qualified allied health professionals.

 “There is a recognised shortage of medical and health services in rural communities when compared to metropolitan centres and this initiative will enable us to offer valuable health expertise to our communities,” she said.