CQU's Australian international campuses are facing new challenges and opportunities as more universities launch CBD campus projects.

Recent arrivals include La Trobe University in the Melbourne CBD and the University of Canberra in Brisbane's heart.

The trend increases opportunities for 'education precinct' profiling by city councils, but it also means that CQU's shopfronts are only a short stroll from those of rivals.

CQU Brisbane International Campus director Peter Mendham said that enrolments were looking good for 2004, and competition remains intense.

"In addition to UQ, QUT and Griffith we now see La Trobe, University of Canberra, UNE, USQ and Charles Sturt all seeking to establish a presence in Brisbane and targeting primarily the international student market," Mr Mendham said.

"Students literally 'shop around' and in such a competitive environment it is essential to be proactive in recruitment and responsive in meeting customer needs.

"Students often apply to a number of universities but research has shown that they will normally select the institution which responds first with an offer letter. This means that Student Administration and Campus Faculty Staff see themselves as an integral part of the recruitment effort, working with a sense of urgency and giving clear priority to tasks which facilitate new student recruitment." CQU Melbourne International Campus Director Barbara Abou-Lehaf said that heavy competition from other universities was not new.

"With the recent announcement of La Trobe's arrival, only one Victorian university, Deakin, does not have a presence in the CBD and their entry into the CBD market in the near future would not be a surprise," Ms Abou-Lehaf said.

She said that, despite the entrenched competition, CQU Melbourne student numbers were increasing and targets for Autumn 2004 were expected to be met.

"The focus by the new La Trobe campus on Business Programs will certainly increase competition in that area. In addition, there are interstate universities setting up campuses with links to local feeder institutes which give them a guaranteed transfer of international students into their programs.

"Although differentiation is extremely important in maintaining and increasing our student numbers, responsiveness and meeting the administrative service timelines of our competitors will ensure CQU MIC has a competitive advantage." Ms Abou-Lehaf said her campus was already ahead of the competition with the care and services provided to students through the Learning Skills Unit, the STEP employment service, the focus given to individual students and the celebration of important cultural events.

"By taking on the challenge of being innovative by continually identifying what is important to our students and satisfying that need will ensure we remain a major player in the Victorian education market."