A growing rate of offshore enrolments at Charles Sturt University is set to increase with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with China's Kingold Private University on 5 November.

CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Cliff Blake and Dean of the Faculty of Arts Professor Ross Chambers joined a delegation including NSW Premier Bob Carr, in Guangzhou, to sign the memorandum with the Chief Executive Officer of KPU, Mr Chau Chak Wing.

The agreement will mean collaboration between CSU and KPU one of only very few private universities in China, for the delivery of courses in Guangdong.

Professor Blake said CSU was chosen as a partner to this developing Chinese university because of its flexible course delivery and strong postgraduate program.

"CSU has developed a high level of expertise in the delivery of courses to international students offshore particularly in our ability to offer a range of choices for students including an extensive use of online technology."

CSU currently has more than 2 000 subjects in over 300 courses supported online.

Kingold University will focus on postgraduate and professional development courses and from 2001 CSU courses to be offered under the agreement will include the Master of Information Technology, Master of Health Administration and Masters degrees in police management and investigations.

"While based in regional NSW, CSU has gained an international reputation for its commitment to professional education in health, education and in particular policing," Professor Blake said.

"It has also become one of the largest and most successful providers of offshore programs through utilising its expertise in flexible and distance learning," he said.

The KPU agreement adds to some 12 existing partnerships CSU has developed with universities in China as well as the Shanghai Municipal Government.

"This latest agreement builds on a steady growth in international enrolments for CSU placing it in a leading role as an exporter of higher education in Australia," Professor Blake said.