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Record numbers again at USC
21 February 2009
The University got back into almost full swing last week with the arrival of 2,500 newly enrolled students on campus for Orientation.
Next week, all 6,000 students will return and the campus will be buzzing.
Overall enrolments are up again this year, this time by 7 percent, placing USC as one of the fastest growing universities in the country, and significantly increasing its standing among Australia’s regional universities.
For most of us, the Official Orientation Welcome day, and the Graduation Ceremony day in April are the two stand-outs of the academic year, as they mean so much to students and their relatives on the one hand, and to staff of the uni on the other hand.
It seems that tougher economic times, with a shrinking and more uncertain job market, is encouraging students to rethink a future through acquisition of a degree. All the national evidence suggests that is a sound decision. No pathway gives career certainty, but the degree pathway is one of the best predictors of level of occupation and eventual earnings.
Students themselves will almost certainly obtain greater financial support from the Federal Government this year, as the nation becomes increasingly aware of the need for between 350,000 to 500,000 more graduates a year by 2020 if we are to compete with similar OECD countries.
It will not, however, be an easy route for students. Studying at university is demanding, as it should be. But if students apply themselves and fully engage, then there are few higher qualified staffs teaching undergraduate students in the country, than at USC. Students have consistently been the beneficiaries of high levels of staff support.
As well as increases in domestic numbers, it is pleasing to see international student numbers increasing to 700, and our international links for students and staff also growing. The Sunshine Coast in undoubtedly gaining greater recognition across continents as a result – but its regional focus remains unswerving, with 70 percent of students coming from the Coast, and with increasing numbers of mature students amongst them. Encouragingly, many of them are on track to train in disciplines that will help populate the University Hospital, ahead of its 2014 opening.
Professor Paul Thomas AM is Vice-Chancellor and President at the University of the Sunshine Coast.