Charles Sturt University (CSU) is in a very strong position to thrive in the coming years, according to Professor Ian Goulter, Vice-Chancellor of CSU. He was commenting yesterday after the release of the CSU 2006 Annual Report.

 

That robust position is due to sound economic management and significant progress in a number of strategic areas, Professor Goulter said.

 

“The great strength of the University is that we are getting our course profile right and in a way that meets our mission: the National University for inland Australia. CSU provides courses for which there is demand from students and the heart of a successful University is the course profile,” he said.

 

The Report states that during 2006 the University continued to increase revenue and investment income while its reliance on Commonwealth funding as a proportion of total revenue is one of the lowest levels in the Australian higher education sector.

 

The vast majority of CSU’s undergraduates are Commonwealth supported, as opposed to fee-paying students. Professor Goulter says this reflects CSU’s motto, For the Public Good.

 

“We are essentially a public institution. At the same time there is no compromise on quality. We have superb programs in allied health, veterinary science, journalism, viticulture - a very powerful course profile, delivered under the auspices of a public University,” Professor Goulter said.

 

In turn, he says, this financial and strategic strength continues to contribute to the on-going vitality of CSU’s communities.

 

“That is why we have been very rigorous in which Campuses we place our physical presence, because if you are not rigorous you end up with something that is marginal. We have substantial presences in all our Campus cities.

 

“Yes we have good operating surpluses, but that doesn’t help you unless you have a future. This University has a strong future.”

 

Two of the most important celebrations of the year were the opening of the University’s new Orange Campus and the first graduation ceremonies for the University’s Bachelor of Primary Education Studies at CSU Ontario.

 

After becoming the first external provider to receive approval to operate as a University in Ontario, that Campus now goes from strength to strength. Other highlights included the unveiling of the state-of-the-art teaching facility in the Veterinary Science program.

 

In December 2005, the University Council endorsed the new University Strategy 2007 – 2011. Much of 2006 was focused on activity within the University to plan and reorganise for that strategy.