Orientation signals further expansion
23 February 2008
The campus really became busy again on Tuesday with the start of Orientation activities for 2279 commencing students, the largest intake we have ever had, and an increase of 11.3 percent over the same time last year. Few universities in the country can currently match such figures, as the sector continues to suffer from the attractiveness of the job boom.
About 68 percent of new students are enrolled in bachelors programs whilst the remaining number populate honours, postgraduate and international programs, and all have increased in scale over last year.
Nearly 1500 students now come from the Sunshine Coast, over three times the number when we first opened in 1996. The University is therefore expanding proportionately faster than the demographic growth of the Coast itself.
Students are coming in increasing numbers from intra-State (148), inter-State (76), Brisbane (146) and overseas (449).
Females now predominate (64 percent) and is the emerging pattern nationwide.
It is particularly pleasing to see a 28 percent increase in international students, which reflects our growing reputation across the world. In particular, we are receiving high numbers of students from USA (136), Germany (118) and Canada (93), which are our top three.
Numbers from around the Sunshine Coast increase annually, as do first preference ahead of Brisbane universities, many basing their decision on 5-star ratings we receive for supporting students through their degree programs, our success in Learning and Teaching ratings (2nd in Queensland), and the increasing specialist research areas.
Maroochy (724), Caloundra (360) and Noosa (178) students still occupy most of the places but nearby areas such as Caboolture, Cooloola and Kilcoy are increasing their numbers as well.
USC, therefore continues to develop the intellectual and skills base of the Sunshine Coast, thus contributing to economic advancement, culture, and lifestyle.
Paralleling these academic advances, the work of the Innovation Centre continues to generate new companies, new work experiences and new job opportunities and the scale and scope of their work is increasing, and complementing that of the University.
Thus the University continues to go from strength to strength and still defies the sectoral downturn elsewhere.
Professor Paul Thomas AM is Vice-Chancellor at the University of the Sunshine Coast.