Diversity drives Charles Sturt University’s new Canberra Office

Three specialised centres of learning and research will form a diverse new Canberra Office of Charles Sturt University (CSU), officially opened today by the Minister for Education, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP. The Canberra Office in Barton brings together the Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security, the Centre for Customs and Excise Studies and the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics. “The makeup of the Canberra Office highlights the importance and reach of CSU as Australia’s largest regionally based university, and its growing presence in Canberra,” Mr Pyne said. “It is also a great way to showcase CSU’s status as the world’s largest provider of university education in law enforcement, counter-terrorism, emergency management, customs and border security.” The Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security was established in 1993 and has grown to become the world’s largest provider of university education for law enforcement. The Centre for Customs and Excise Studies is the first of its kind in the world, and its international leadership role has been acknowledged by the World Customs Organization (WCO). The Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics (CAPPE) – now in its 15th year of operation – is the world’s largest concentration of applied philosophers. “The range of courses and research being delivered through the CSU Canberra Office is a good example of the diversity the Government wants to see expand and thrive under our higher education reforms,” Mr Pyne said. “Deregulation of the higher education system will make possible the diversity of choices for students and the quality of courses that we need. “Universities and colleges will have to compete for students, and students will win – on choice, on quality, and on value for money. “At the heart of this freedom and competition is a massive expansion of opportunity through access to Government-supported higher education. “In this environment, the kind of diversity on display at CSU’s Canberra Office will flourish nationally,” he said. 22 July 2014