A desire to further promote research, teaching, learning and community engagement across regional and rural Australia has lured an expatriate Australian to Charles Sturt University (CSU) as the new Head of the School of Biomedical Sciences.

Professor Rod Hill, who most recently worked in North-West USA on research and outreach programs promoting rural health using private and public funding, joined CSU in September to head the school which offers such diverse courses as pharmacy, paramedical science, and medical sciences.

"I was attracted to the position by the intriguing and extensive mix of courses in the school, and that broad area of NSW that they cover. All we do is relevant to regional Australia, through the research, teaching and community engagement that our academics and students carry out," Professor Hill said.

"I am particularly interested in our academics engaging in greater leadership and professional development in our regions. Charles Sturt University is part of Australia's new knowledge economy, and as such is part of the nation's economic 'engine room'."

Professor Hill noted that he was very fortunate in his career to have wonderful mentors who showed him how to develop strategic programs with national impact. As a Fellow of the American Council on Education leadership development program, Professor Hill was able to learn about the strategic positioning of higher education in Washington DC.

"These experiences can be directly translated into the Australian higher education scene which I hope will provide new opportunities for our School," Professor Hill said.

Professor Hill is impressed by the high quality of all courses in the School of Biomedical Sciences, however, "We won't be sitting on our laurels. We are in a highly competitive environment and need to continually improve our offerings.

"Most importantly, our students readily get jobs, particularly in regional Australia – so we must be doing something right!" he said.Professor Hill commenced as Head of School in September, and is based at CSU in Wagga Wagga, with courses also based on CSU campuses in Bathurst, Orange and Port Macquarie.