Proposed integration not feasible

The Southern Cross University Council has announced it will not pursue a merger with Charles Sturt University.

The University Council met last Friday, July 17, to further discuss the feasibility study into a new national regional university. This followed a joint meeting of the two university councils on July 3.

The Southern Cross University Council has determined that on the basis of the needs analysis, completed by PhillipsKPA as the first stage of the study, a merger of Southern Cross University and Charles Sturt University is not feasible.

Mr Malcolm Marshall, co-director of the feasibility study and Southern Cross University Council secretary, said the report had been extremely useful, providing a very clear indication of the critical role regional universities play.

“The Council was impressed by the standard of the needs analysis report and its detailed account of the importance and broad contribution of regional universities to their communities, through the provision of higher education and research in regional Australia,” he said.

“The needs analysis has highlighted the potential for more collaboration between regional universities, and the Council is supportive of those avenues being further explored and is continuing discussions with the Federal Government.

“Southern Cross University will continue to develop and enhance both teaching and research capacity, providing new opportunities for increased participation in higher education.”