Charles Sturt University

Charles Sturt University
Former name
List
MottoFor the public good [1]
TypePublic research university
Established
  • 1895 (experiment farm)[2]
  • 1951 (tertiary college)[2]
  • 1989 (university status)[2]
AccreditationTEQSA[4]
Academic affiliations
BudgetA$571.02 million (2023)
VisitorGovernor of New South Wales (ex officio)[5]
ChancellorMichele Allan[6]
Vice-ChancellorRenée Leon[7]
Academic staff
821 (FTE, 2023)[8]
Administrative staff
1,266 (FTE, 2023)[8]
Total staff
2,087 (FTE, 2023)[8]
Students34,894 (2023)[9]
Location,
CampusUrban and regional with multiple sites[10]
Named afterCharles Napier Sturt[11]
ColoursOchre[12]
Sporting affiliations
MascotCharlie the Cockatoo[13]
Websitecsu.edu.au

Charles Sturt University is an Australian multi-campus public university located in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Victoria. Established in 1989, it was named in honour of Captain Charles Napier Sturt,[14] a British explorer who made expeditions into regional New South Wales and South Australia.

It is the largest regional university in Australia,[15] offering a multidisciplinary spectrum of courses in collaboration with various partners across the country.[16]

History

The history of Charles Sturt University dates back to 1895 with the establishment of the Bathurst Experiment Farm. The university was established on 1 July 1989 from the merger of several existing separately-administered Colleges of Advanced Education by the Charles Sturt University Act 1989 (Act No. 76, 1989).[17]

The constituent colleges included the Mitchell College of Advanced Education in Bathurst, the Riverina-Murray Institute of Higher Education in Albury–Wodonga, and the Riverina College of Advanced Education in Wagga Wagga.[18] The Mitchell College of Advanced Education was formed on 1 January 1970, and the Riverina Murray Institute of Education campus in Wagga Wagga and Albury-Wodonga had operated since 1984.[19][20] The latter institution had earlier succeeded the Riverina College of Advanced Education, which was itself the result of an even earlier merger between Wagga Agricultural College and the Wagga Wagga Teachers College.[20]

Charles Sturt established a Study Centre in Sydney[21] in 1998 and in Melbourne[22] in 2007. These Study Centres were operated by a private education group called Study Group Australia.[23] On 31 December 2022, Charles Sturt let its relationship with Study Group Australia expire. According to Charles Sturt's website, the Brisbane Study Centre is closed, and courses at the Sydney and Melbourne locations are in teach-out mode.[24]

In 1998, the Goulburn campus was established to deliver policing education to New South Wales Police.[16]

In 1999, the Dubbo campus foundation stone was laid. The university also launched its China Joint Cooperation Program with four universities[which?] in China.[citation needed]

On 1 January 2005, Charles Sturt formalised moves to assume control of University of Sydney's Orange campus, which came into effect on 1 January 2005.[25] Between 2005 and 2015, the university had expanded to include an offshore campus in Burlington, Ontario, in Canada.[26][27] In July 2015, Charles Sturt ceased to operate its Ontario campus due to the legislative and regulatory environment in Ontario.[28]

In 2005, Charles Sturt responded to the shortage of veterinarians in rural and regional Australia with the first veterinary science students starting their degrees at the Wagga Wagga campus.[citation needed] In 2008, the university also offered dentistry courses for the first time.[citation needed] This led to the development of five community-based clinics across its regional campuses.

On 14 February 2011, Charles Sturt University changed its logo. The Sturt's desert pea flower (Swainsona formosa) was stylised and made prominent, with the full name of the university as part of its logo.[29][30]

On 1 May 2012, a milestone was reached as the university opened a new campus in Port Macquarie, its first coastal regional campus, making higher education accessible to the Port Macquarie-Hastings region.[31]

In 2013, the university implemented a gas engine cogeneration power plant to help minimise fuel costs and carbon emissions.[32]

On 18 April 2016, staff and students at the Port Macquarie campus moved into the first stage of their purpose-built campus. The second stage was completed in 2020 and included a New South Wales emergency services training room, an innovation hub, and student support facilities. The third stage is scheduled for completion over the coming years, with an expected student intake of 5,000 by 2030.[citation needed]

On 28 July 2016, Charles Sturt was declared Australia's First Official Carbon Neutral University.[33] The Government of Australia's Carbon Neutral Program certified the university as "carbon neutral" against the National Carbon Offset Standard.

On 9 May 2018, Charles Sturt and Western Sydney University announced a partnership with the Australian Government's network to establish the Murray-Darling Medical School, providing joint medical programs across the Murray-Darling Basin region.[34] Charles Sturt's teaching base was established at the university's Orange campus to extend on the existing Western Sydney University program.[35]

In May 2019, for its 30th anniversary, the university announced its new branding and visual identity. This included a new crest that drew on the original coat of arms and the logos of its predecessor institutions. The crest's design includes patterns that draw on the culture and symbolism of First Nations Australians and echo the landscapes of regional New South Wales.[citation needed]

On 29 May 2019, Charles Sturt University announced it joined the Regional Universities Network (RUN), becoming the seventh member of the group.[36]

In March 2021, Charles Sturt University's first medical students commenced study at the university's Orange campus as part of the Joint Program in Medicine with Western Sydney University. The Joint Program in Medicine is designed to train doctors in the regions to help address the shortfall in rural and regional medical professionals.[citation needed]

Campuses and buildings

Charles Sturt University has six main campuses in Albury–Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange, Port Macquarie, and Wagga Wagga.

Albury–Wodonga

Albury–Wodonga campus

The Albury–Wodonga campus is situated on the border of New South Wales and Victoria. There is a strong focus on environmental science, education, business, and allied health at this campus.[citation needed]

Campus features:

  • Anatomy and physiology labs
  • Community Engagement and Wellness Centre
  • Herbarium
  • Wetlands

Bathurst

Bathurst campus

The Bathurst campus is home to engineering, communication, education, laws, and a broad range of health degrees, including paramedicine and exercise science.[citation needed]

Campus features:

  • Biochemistry, exercise science, nursing, and paramedicine labs
  • Dental and oral health clinic
  • Engineering lab and facilities
  • Media centre and 2MCE broadcasting radio station
  • Television studies and editing suites

Dubbo

Dubbo campus

The Dubbo campus offers social work, nursing, and preparation courses with a focus on delivering education to First Nations students.[citation needed]

Campus features:

  • Nursing and clinical lab
  • Dental and oral health clinic
  • Interactive learning centre

Orange

Orange campus

The Orange campus offers courses with a strong focus on allied health, medical sciences, dentistry, medicine, and pharmacy.[citation needed]

Campus features:

  • Medical learning facilities: anatomy teaching lab, simulation hospital wards and ultrasound room
  • Chemistry, pharmacy, physiotherapy and rehabilitation science labs
  • Dental and oral health clinic

Port Macquarie

Port Macquarie campus

The Port Macquarie campus is the university's newest and first coastal regional campus.

Campus features:

  • Paramedicine simulation clinic
  • Medical imaging and nursing labs
  • Anatomy and physiology labs
  • Practical learning rooms: occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and exercise science facilities

Wagga Wagga

Wagga Wagga campus

Situated on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River, the Wagga Wagga campus is the university's agricultural and sciences hub. Students can also study a range of animal and veterinary sciences, education, business, allied health, information technology, and humanities degrees.[citation needed]

Campus features:

  • National Life Sciences Hub
  • Veterinary science clinical centre and labs
  • Farm and equine centre
  • Commercial winery
  • Dental and oral health clinic

Other study locations

Governance and structure

University Council

Charles Sturt University is governed by a 16-member Council, whose members include the chancellor and vice-chancellor. Dr. Michele Allan, a company director, food industry, and agribusiness specialist with an academic background in biomedical science, management, and law, is the current and third chancellor of the university since 3 December 2014; and Professor Renée Leon became the fifth vice-chancellor on 1 September 2021.[37]

Faculties and departments

Charles Sturt University has three main faculties, each offering a range of courses and discipline opportunities. Each faculty comprises a number of schools and centres for specific areas of study and research:[38]

  • Faculty of Arts and Education[39]
  • Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences[40]
  • Faculty of Science and Health[41]

Faculty of Arts and Education

The faculty's arts discipline covers performing and visual arts, art history, communications, history, human services, First Nations studies, literature, philosophy, sociology, and theology. The education side of the faculty offers a range of courses in teacher education and information and library studies. Schools and centres include:[citation needed]

  • Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation
  • School of Education
  • School of Indigenous Australian Studies
  • School of Information and Communication Studies
  • School of Social Work and Arts
  • School of Theology

Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences

This faculty brings together a range of courses in areas of business, justice, and behavioural sciences disciplines. The justice side of the faculty covers policing, security, law, customs, excise and border management. The behavioural science discipline offers psychology courses. Schools and centres include:

  • Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security
  • Centre for Customs and Excise Studies
  • Centre for Law and Justice
  • School of Business
  • School of Computing, Mathematics and Engineering
  • School of Policing Studies
  • School of Psychology

Faculty of Science and Health

The science faculty is one of the most broadly based scientific academic concentrations in Australasia. Schools include:

  • School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences
  • School of Allied Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences
  • School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences
  • School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences
  • School of Rural Medicine

Coat of arms

Coat of arms of Charles Sturt University
Adopted
Granted by the Kings of Arms, 1989.
Crest
Out of a coronet of Seven-pointed Stars Or, a demi-Lion rampant Gules, its sinister paw holding three Roses Gules and stems Vert.
Torse
A Wreath of the Colours (Or and Vert)
Other elements
Mantling Vert doubled Or.

Academic profile

Libraries and databases

Charles Sturt University libraries operate at its main campuses. The libraries offer eBooks, eJournals, encyclopedias, multimedia resources and course readings through Primo Search. The libraries also provide online library workshops, library resource guides, and video tutorials.[42]

Academic reputation

National publications

Charles Sturt University has one of the highest graduate employment rates in Australia. Within just four months of graduation, 89 per cent of undergraduates’ secure full-time employment. Postgraduate outcomes show that 91 per cent of postgraduates also find full-time work within four months of completing their studies.

For the eighth consecutive year, Charles Sturt has been ranked number one among Australian public universities for the percentage of undergraduates who find full-time employment after their studies. [citation needed]

Professor Andrew Clark was recognized by the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology in their Awards for Excellence.

Student life

Student Senate

Students at Charles Sturt University are represented by Charles Sturt University Student Senate – formerly the CSU Students' Association (CSUSA). Charles Sturt's Student Senate is the overarching university student body and comprises the following affiliates:

  • Orange Student Representative Committee (OSRC) – formerly Orange Students Association (OSA)
  • Murray Campus Council (MCC) representing Albury-Wodonga Campus – formerly Murray Campus Students' Association
  • Bathurst Student Representative Committee (Bathurst SRC) – formerly Mitchell Student Guild, Charles Sturt University Students' Association Bathurst (CSUSAB) and Mitchell Association of Student Councils
  • Dubbo Student Representative Committee (DSRC)
  • Rivcoll Student Representative Committee (Rivcoll SRC) representing Wagga Wagga campus – formerly Rivcoll Union Inc
  • Port Student Representative Committee (Port SRC) representing the Port Macquarie campus
  • Online Study Student Representative Committee (OS SRC) representing Charles Sturt's online students
  • Canberra Student Representative Committee, known as St Mark's Canberra, was previously formed but disbanded in 2016.[citation needed]

Sports and athletics

The Charles Sturt University Football Club at Bathurst was formed under the name of Bathurst Teachers College in 1963, making it one of the oldest football clubs in Bathurst. The club changed its name multiple times to match the educational institute, gaining its current name when Mitchell College was rebranded to Charles Sturt University.[citation needed]

Notable people

Members of Charles Sturt University alumni include notable TV presenters Andrew Denton, Amanda Keller, Latika Bourke and Hamish Macdonald.[43] Leslie Weston was awarded a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science in 2023.[44] Craig Steven Wright, who has falsely claimed himself to be the inventor of Bitcoin,[45][46] has several degrees from Charles Sturt University.[47][48]

See also

References

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  2. ^ a b c d e f "Campus histories". Charles Sturt University. Bathurst, New South Wales. Archived from the original on 16 October 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  3. ^ "Bathurst Teachers' College, Mitchell College of Advanced Education, and Charles Sturt University publications and transcripts". Charles Sturt University. Bathurst, New South Wales. Archived from the original on 7 July 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  4. ^ "Charles Sturt University". Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency. Melbourne, Victoria. Archived from the original on 11 July 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  5. ^ "Charles Sturt University Act 1989 No 76". NSW Legislation. Sydney, New South Wales: Government of New South Wales. 30 September 2024. Archived from the original on 15 November 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
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  14. ^ Gorrel, Graham (1 March 2013). "Charles Sturt University the jewel in city's crown". The Daily Advertiser. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  15. ^ "Our rankings".
  16. ^ a b "Charles Sturt University - Associate Degree in Policing Practice". Good Universities Guide. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
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  18. ^ Morris, Sherry (1999). Wagga Wagga, a history. Bobby Graham Publishers, Wagga Wagga. ISBN 1-875247-12-2.
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  26. ^ "Welcome – CSU Ontario School of Education – Charles Sturt University". csu.edu.au. 26 March 2012. Archived from the original on 17 January 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
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  32. ^ Charles Sturt University Cogeneration Plant Archived 3 August 2014 at the Wayback Machine, www.clarke-energy.com, Retrieved 16 September 2013
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  43. ^ "Hamish Macdonald – Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) – 2002". Our community: Share your story. Charles Sturt University. 2018. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  44. ^ "Academy welcomes 20 new Fellows for their outstanding contributions to science | Australian Academy of Science". www.science.org.au. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  45. ^ Greenberg, Andy (11 December 2015). "New Clues Suggest Craig Wright, Suspected Bitcoin Creator, May Be a Hoaxer". Wired.
  46. ^ Bustillos, Maria. "The Bizarre Saga of Craig Wright, the Latest "Inventor of Bitcoin"". The New Yorker.
  47. ^ "People – Advanced Networks Research Lab". Charles Sturt University. Archived from the original on 10 December 2015. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  48. ^ Wright, Craig (2017). The quantification of information systems risk: A look at quantitative responses to information security issues. Charles Sturt University: Research outputs (Doctoral Thesis).