Welcome from the Vice-Chancellor and President

It is a pleasure to be able to welcome all new students to the University, and to welcome back all those who are returning. We are delighted you have chosen to study at Southern Cross University and we will do all we can to assist you to achieve your goals.

Southern Cross University is an exciting place to be, and its three campuses at Lismore, Coffs Harbour and Tweed Gold Coast offer quite different experiences. But each campus offers the same high quality for its courses and the staff who teach there.

Last year the University’s researchers and research students achieved some notable successes at the international level. The Centre for Plant Conservation Genetics has discovered the gene responsible for giving fragrant rice its flavour. The Whale Research Centre has captured a skin sample from Migaloo, the albino whale, and determined from the DNA test that Migaloo is male. And staff from the Centre for Geoarchaeology and Palaeoenvironmental Research have participated in the discovery of the new species of small hominids on the island of Flores.

We think that bringing research knowledge into our teaching is an important way to keep our innovative and exciting courses up to date. We also know that you want the skills and knowledge you will gain at Southern Cross University to be useful and relevant. That’s why we work with leaders from the disciplines and the professions to ensure our courses meet their needs and expectations.

I am sure you will enjoy the challenge that studying at university brings. And I look forward to seeing you at the graduation ceremony that will mark your success in meeting that challenge.

Professor Paul Clark