Carnegie Mellon University

In reply to Ms SANDERSON (Adelaide) (23 July 2015). (Estimates Committee B)

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers): I have been advised:

203 students have enrolled in the global track program since it started in 2008. 76 students were enrolled in the program at the Carnegie Mellon University Australia Campus, in August 2014. These students were on campus for their studies until May 2015.

Global track students stay in Adelaide for two semesters, while the third semester is an internship that may be spent in Adelaide or elsewhere, including offshore, depending on the location of the employer. Students then move to the university's Pittsburgh campus where they spend two semesters and are expected to complete their studies.

Since 2006, 374 students have graduated from Carnegie Mellon University Australia. As of August 2014, 130 students were enrolled at the university's Australia campus.

CMU have advised that they have absolutely no plans to leave Adelaide.

They have indicated that questions regarding their commitment to Adelaide raised in parliament are potentially damaging to their brand as student enrolling in their courses commit to many years of study.

CMU is entering into discussions for a longer-term lease on the building they occupy and have taken over additional space previously occupied by the Torrens Resilience Institute and UCL.

2015 was CMUs biggest intake of students with a 38% increase in growth compared to the same period last year and they are confident of sustaining a good growth rate going forward.

Breakdowns of specific student enrolment data is of a commercial in confidence nature and should be sourced directly from the university.