Central Queensland University is set to gain from new incentives to attract international students to regional areas of Australia.

There is an established international student cohort at Central Queensland University Rockhampton, and CQU campuses at Mackay, Gladstone and Bundaberg are developing their capacity to host overseas students.

Immigration Minister Mr Philip Ruddock has announced that adjustments to the bonus points regime for overseas students applying to migrate will be introduced from 1 July 2003.

The objective is to encourage a greater proportion of students to consider studying at institutions in regional Australia.

CQU Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Kevin Fagg said that students recruited to CQU's regional campuses brought 100 per cent of their fees to the University and 100 per cent of their spending power to the regional community they lived in.

He said there were also major social and cultural benefits in attracting international students to regional areas.

Professor Fagg said recruitment of international students provided additional places for the University and were not to the detriment of places for Australian students.

ENDS For details/interview call Professor Fagg on 4930 9752 or 0418 799 863 --ENDS--