THE intake of pharmacy students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) Orange campus is expected to increase threefold after enrolments stop at Wagga Wagga campus from next year.
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Executive dean of the CSU faculty of science Professor Tim Wess said the university had refocused its bachelor of pharmacy program and will eventually only offer the course at the Orange campus.
Professor Wess said he expected as many as 30 first year places to be offered at the Orange campus from next year.
“We believe this change will allow us to concentrate our efforts,” he said.
“We also can’t have the luxury of offering every degree at every location.”
Professor Wess said current students at CSU in Wagga Wagga would not be affected as the course will be taught there until 2019.
“CSU was the only non-metropolitan provider when we started pharmacy in 1997, however, others have copied our success and there is now much more competition,” he said.
“We want to offer future students in the program the most consistent and high quality learning and teaching experience possible and we believe this is best done on one site at Orange.”
Professor Wess said there were also advantages to be had by running the course at the same campus where dentistry and physiotherapy were also offered.
He said in conjunction with the Australian Pharmacy Council, CSU will look at offering introductory subjects online to make the program more affordable and accessible for students.
“Charles Sturt University pharmacy graduates remain in demand, with an employment rate of over 90 per cent, and many go on to work across regional Australia when they complete the course,” he said.
“We have a firm record as innovators in the education and training of key health professionals, such as pharmacists, and this will continue into the future.”
tracey.prisk@fairfaxmedia.com.au