The Federal Minister for Education, Dr Brendan Nelson has reaffirmed his commitment to the importance of regional universities in a speech to Charles Sturt University staff and researchers from the Murray Darling Freshwater Research Centre in Albury on the NSW Victorian border today (Friday 16 August).

Dr Brendan Nelson was visiting CSU’s Albury-Wodonga Campus for discussions with the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian Goulter, and senior CSU staff.

“Given the current review of higher education, it was timely for the Minister to visit CSU and to hear our plans on the future development and expansion of the Thurgoona Campus,” said Professor Goulter.

Accompanied by Federal Member for Farrer, Mrs Sussan Ley, Dr Nelson also toured the University’s Thurgoona Campus.

“We were very comforted by his remarks about the place of regional universities, such as CSU,” Professor Goulter said.

The University will publicly release its next submission on the higher education review next week.

“CSU’s submission will argue strongly for the needs and aspirations of people living in regional Australia to be placed centrally on the Federal Government’s agenda,” Professor Goulter said.