Over 20 students from around NSW and Victoria have received a chance to commence university studies with Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Pathway Program which started last week in Albury and Wodonga. CSU course coordinator Dr Richard Taffe says the students, who have enrolled in CSU’s one-year University Certificate in General Studies, are studying in the first half of 2010 with Wodonga Institute of TAFE and then with CSU in Albury-Wodonga. “Charles Sturt University is committed to giving students from rural and remote areas the opportunity to get a university education and a professional degree,” Dr Taffe said. Wodonga TAFE CEO, Mr Mike O’Loughlin, said the program highlights the collaborative partnership being developed by CSU and Wodonga TAFE that provide sustainable pathways for students into tertiary education in regional Australia. The first group of students come from as far as Nowra, Griffith and country Victoria to study for the University Certificate, which is one of a number of transition programs being offered by the University.