In an historic step, the Orange Campus has been formally transferred to CSU from the University of Sydney. The move follows the signing of a transfer agreement between the two institutions in June. From the outset, CSU has stated that the Orange Campus will allow us to increase educational opportunities in western NSW. I welcome the Orange Campus staff and students to the CSU community and thank them for their patience during the lengthy transfer process.  

 

With this additional campus, I am certain that we will see our teaching and research commitment to regional and rural Australia will further flourish and prosper. This can be seen through a deed of agreement signed by the NSW Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald and CSU over a series of land transfers to boost agricultural research in Orange. The agreement will eventually see the Orange Agricultural Institute transferred to a purpose-built facility in a new agricultural science and research precinct at CSU in Orange. This deed is not just for CSU, or for the Orange community but it is important for NSW agriculture and for Australia.

 

CSU continues to provide higher education that reflects the needs of regional Australia. For example, in recognising problems in finding sufficient professional staff for regional Australian health services, CSU’s Dean of the Faculty of Health Studies Professor Mark Burton has negotiated ‘rural pathways’ to streamline regional Australian students into committed places in the University of Sydney’s Dental and Medical degrees. This follows the recognition recently shown by the national Veterinary Science Accreditation Advisory Committee, which officially approved the University’s veterinary science course, the first such course offered in regional Australia.

 

The University’s expertise in water management, lead by the Professor of Water Hydrology Shahbaz Khan, has been instrumental in developing a ten year plan to establish the regional city of Wagga Wagga as an international reference for sustainable and smart use of water resources in an urban environment.

 

 

Canadian students from the University’s new Bachelor of Educational Studies (Primary Teaching) students in Ontario have completed their practicum teaching experience in Australia, working at Dubbo and Wagga Wagga in May.  The seven Canadians were among the first group of Bachelor of Educational Studies (Primary Teaching) students at CSU, Ontario which began in August 2005 with 114 students. As the inaugural student group graduated on 23 June, the initial success of this program in Ontario is demonstrated through the high demand for places from Canadian students.

 

CSU is the lead Australian institution in a new project which will give undergraduate students the opportunity to study philosophy and ethics in Australia and Europe. The $800 000 project which is jointly funded by the Australian Government and the European Commission, will bring together four Australian universities and four European universities to create an integrated network of eight undergraduate philosophy degrees involving applied ethics, human rights and institutions.

 

The British Australian explorer Sir Thomas Mitchell would surely approve of the Mitchell Link, a new high speed fibre optic link announced in June which will benefit our Bathurst and Orange campuses. This is CSU’s first link into the Australian Research and Education Network, which was established in 2002 to provide large bandwidth capabilities to Australian universities.

 

The University is continuing its development of its Albury-Wodonga Campus, in an environmentally sensitive and sustainable manner. Rising energy costs and living and learning in a clean environment have continued to influence the design of the new School of Business building proposed for the Thurgoona site and due to finish in 2007. The University is looking to reduce the footprint of the University on our planet, especially decreasing our use of energy and resources. This includes reducing the costs of energy used in large public buildings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production.

 

 

I believe we have enhanced our reputation as a University with a flexible and diverse approach to education with the launch of the new CSU Study Centres in Sydney. International education builds valuable bridges. For overseas students to come here and experience Australian life first hand is an invaluable way to foster respect for cultural and ethnic diversity. We are confident that these new Study Centres will establish a new benchmark for international education in Australia. As part of the launch, seven CSU Study Centre students from India, Germany, Switzerland, Russia Cambodia, China and Hong Kong received Dean’s Awards for academic excellence in April.

 

 

April, May and June are special months for CSU, celebrating the academic achievements of our students, particularly the graduates. It is also time to show our appreciation to people of great stature who have assisted CSU over the years. These included

Congratulations should also go to Professor of Theology and Executive Director of the University’s Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, Reverend Professor James Haire, who was recognised in the 2006 Queen’s Birthday Honours List announced in June. Reverend Professor Haire was awarded a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to religion and the community through the promotion of ecumenical and interfaith dialogue, the Uniting Church in Australia and theological education.