Details of the Orientation 2009 program can be found here. Orientation student coordinators are available for interview as is Mr Leigh Elliot with the CSU Division of Student Services. Contact CSU Media. Other events that might be of interest to the media include:

Year 12 is a time when most students decide on their path for the future. Everyone wants to be successful and to make the best choices, but accessing the right information at the right time is not always easy. That’s where Charles Sturt University (CSU) , Southern Cross University and the University of New England can help. These universities recognise the importance of helping students select the right study options. That’s why they go direct to local students via the Regional University Road Show. Now in its eighth year, the Regional University Road Show visits 110 schools, sharing information with around 4500 students. As CSU Prospective Student Adviser Ms Fran Dwyer explains, the Regional University Road Show provides senior high school students with accurate and timely information regarding university education. “By pooling resources, CSU, SCU and UNE are able to provide excellent advice to students in one visit, maximising the study options presented to students while minimising the amount of time students need to be away from the classroom.” Denison College-Kelso High Campus Careers Adviser Denis Behan says the Regional University Road Show is a wonderful opportunity for his students to explore the wide range of courses on offer at regional universities as well as familiarising themselves with entry requirements, selection procedures, scholarships and accommodation options. “Having three regional universities visit at the same time allows my students to seriously consider future university study and to start examining their study options. Having direct access to experienced advisors is a big plus too. Also having the universities visit us is very convenient for my students.” Next week, the Regional University Road Show will be in Bathurst, visiting Dennison College Kelso Campus, McKillop College and St Stanislaus. Students from Dennison College Bathurst Campus, Scots College, Cowra, Blayney, Oberon and Portland High Schools will be travelling to Bathurst host schools to take part in the presentations. In a world of endless possibilities, it’s difficult to determine the best course of action for your future. The Regional University Road Show will help you find a study option to suit you.

The Regional Universities Road Show will be in Bathurst on Tuesday 17 February. For interviews with Ms Fran Dwyer, or to arrange a photo opportunity, please contact Ms Dwyer on 0409 305 514.

Year 12 is a time when most students decide on their path for the future. Everyone wants to be successful and to make the best choices, but accessing the right information at the right time is not always easy. That’s where Charles Sturt University, (CSU) Southern Cross University and the University of New England can help. These universities recognise the importance of helping students select the right study options. That’s why they go direct to local students via the Regional University Road Show. Now in its eighth year, the Regional University Road Show visits 110 schools, sharing information with around 4500 students. As CSU Prospective Student Adviser Ms Katy O’Brien explains, the Regional University Road Show provides senior high school students with accurate and timely information regarding university education. “By pooling resources, CSU, SCU and UNE are able to provide excellent advice to students in one visit, maximising the study options presented to students while minimising the amount of time students need to be away from the classroom.” Orange Christian School Careers Adviser Ms Melissa Brown says the Regional University Road Show is a wonderful opportunity for her students as well as students from other local high schools. “Our students are able to hear from three different universities in the one session which enables them to consider a number of options for future study. Often regional students have difficulty attending university open days, so here the universities come to them. The sessions are very informative and give lots of time for questions about both the study options and the admissions process." Next week, the Regional University Road Show will be in Orange, visiting Orange Christian School, Orange High, Kinross Wolaroi and James Sheahan. Students from Canowindra and Molong will be travelling to Orange host schools to take part in the presentations. In a world of endless possibilities, it’s difficult to determine the best course of action for your future. The Regional University Road Show will help you find a study option to suit you.

The Regional Universities Road Show will be in Orange on Monday 16 February. For interviews with Ms Katy O’Brien, or to arrange a photo opportunity, please contact Ms O'Brien on 0408 274 332.

Year 12 is a time when most students decide on their path for the future. Everyone wants to be successful and to make the best choices, but accessing the right information at the right time is not always easy. That’s where Charles Sturt University (CSU), Southern Cross University and the University of New England can help. These universities recognise the importance of helping students select the right study options. That’s why they go direct to local students via the Regional University Road Show. Now in its eighth year, the Regional University Road Show visits 110 schools, sharing information with around 4500 students. As CSU Student Adviser Ms Katy O’Brien explains, the Regional University Road Show provides senior high school students with accurate and timely information regarding university education. “By pooling resources, CSU, SCU and UNE are able to provide excellent advice to students in one visit, maximising the study options presented to students while minimising the amount of time students need to be away from the classroom.” Dubbo College Senior Campus Careers Adviser Ms Samantha Skinner says the Regional University Road Show is a wonderful opportunity for her students as well as students from other local high schools. "The Careers Team at Dubbo College Senior Campus are keen supporters of the Regional Universities Road Show.  With over 50 percent of Year 12 accepting a place at university this year, we recognise the importance to our students of current information regarding university admissions and study options.  UNE, SCU and CSU understand the needs of students from regional communities, and the road show really reflects this." Next week, the Regional University Road Show will be in Dubbo, visiting Dubbo Christian School, Dubbo Senior College and Macquarie Anglican Grammar School. Students from St John’s College, Peak Hill, Gilgandra, Narromine,Tullamore and Trundle Schools will be travelling to Dubbo host schools to take part in the presentations. In a world of endless possibilities, it’s difficult to determine the best course of action for your future. The Regional University Road Show will help you find a study option to suit you.

The Regional Universities Road Show will be in Dubbo on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 February. For interviews with Ms Katy O’Brien, or to arrange a photo opportunity, please contact Ms O'Brien on 0408 274 332.

The influence of the ‘father of evolution’, Charles Darwin, on Australian thinking is the subject of a new book by noted Australian writer and Professor of Theology at Charles Sturt University (CSU), Bishop Tom Frame. Titled Evolution in the Antipodes: Charles Darwin and Australia, the book examines Darwin’s life and times, including his 1836 visit to Australia on the HMS Beagle and his foray into the NSW hinterland, which took him as far inland as Bathurst. Professor Frame also discusses the historic disputes and contemporary debates about Darwin’s motivations and methods; his scientific conclusions and their social consequences; and the ways in which Darwin’s work continues to shape Australian public policy and private behaviour. Evolution in the Antipodes will interest students of Australian history and readers of maritime affairs, natural science and theistic religion. Tom Frame is also Director of St Mark’s National Theological Centre in Canberra, which includes the CSU School of Theology.

The Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Teacher Education at Dubbo, in collaboration with TAFE NSW Western Institute, will introduce the Certificate 1 in Aboriginal language (Wiradjuri language) to be run on the Dubbo campus from Thursday 26 February for CSU students. Ms Maria Bennet, lecturer at the School of Teacher Education, said this TAFE-certified course will be taught by local teacher Ms Diane McNaboe and aims to equip pre-service teachers and school-related personnel with understanding and knowledge fundamental to working with Aboriginal students, families and communities. “The course aims to provide learners with the basic skills and strategies to achieve Aboriginal language competencies,” Ms Bennet said. “This will provide a basic knowledge and appreciation of backgrounds, languages, beliefs and customs.”

As part of its celebrations of the ‘father of evolution’ Charles Darwin's 200th birthday, Charles Sturt University (CSU) will host a film presentation and discussion, particularly for Years 10 to 12 high school students and their teachers, to explore the theory of evolution. Participants will view the critically acclaimed documentary film, ‘Flock of Dodos: The Evolution – Intelligent Design Circus’ and be able to discuss evolution and natural selection with CSU scientists attending the event. “Darwin’s theory of evolution is one of the most significant advancements in our understanding of the natural world. This break-through in our scientific understanding still affects many facets of modern life, despite first being published 150 years ago in his seminal book, On the Origin of Species,” says the University’s Dean of the Faculty of Science, Professor Nick Klomp. The event runs from 9.30 to 11.30am, Tuesday 10 February, in the Nowik Lecture Theatre, Guinea St, Albury.

As part of its celebrations of the ‘father of evolution’ Charles Darwin's 200th birthday, Charles Sturt University (CSU) will host a film presentation and discussion, particularly for Years 10 to 12 high school students and their teachers, to explore the theory of evolution. Participants will view the critically acclaimed documentary film, ‘Flock of Dodos: The Evolution – Intelligent Design Circus’ and be able to discuss evolution and natural selection with CSU scientists attending the event. “Darwin’s theory of evolution is one of the most significant advancements in our understanding of the natural world. This break-through in our scientific understanding still affects many facets of modern life, despite first being published 150 years ago in his seminal book, On the Origin of Species,” says the University’s Dean of the Faculty of Science, Professor Nick Klomp. The event runs from 9.30 to 11.30am, Tuesday 10 February, in the Riverina Playhouse, 8 Cross St, Wagga Wagga.

New buildings at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Orange and Wagga Wagga are rapidly taking shape as the University prepares to welcome the inaugural students in its new dental and oral health therapy courses in 2009. After receiving hundreds of applications from across Australia and overseas, CSU is preparing to fill 40 places in the Bachelor of Dental Science program starting at Orange and 20 places in the Bachelor of Oral Health (Therapy/Hygiene) program starting at Wagga Wagga. “We are thrilled with the calibre of applicants,” said Associate Professor in Oral Health Barbara Taylor. “The student selection process has been very competitive, particularly for dentistry as it included an online questionnaire and interview.” “We had a diverse and skilled applicant pool and are confident this will result in a committed student group,” added the Head of the School of Dentistry and Health Sciences, Professor Ward Massey. Work on the dentistry buildings in Orange and oral health therapy facilities at Wagga continued over Christmas, as well as progress in the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment such as dental chairs and clinical software.

Head of the School of Dentistry and Health Sciences, Professor Ward Massey is based at CSU in Orange. Associate Professor Barbara Taylor is from the School of Dentistry and Health Sciences in Wagga Wagga. Orientation Week at CSU starts on Monday 16 February. More information is available about the dental and oral health therapy courses here, including staff and facilities. Details of new scholarships for dental students are available here.

Communities and regions where mining occurs will be severely affected by the downturn in the Australian mining sector due to the global financial crisis. Mr Tom Murphy, Chief Executive Officer of the Western Research Institute (WRI) at Charles Sturt University at Bathurst, says that with the current contraction of the Chinese economy, the largest customer for Australia’s mineral resources, Australia will face increasing and probably prolonged reduction of revenue from mining. “Our studies indicate that mining jobs create economic multipliers of four to six in surrounding community economies, or more in some instances,” he said. “That means for each mining job lost you can have four to six other jobs lost in a community. This is because mine wages and local spending are so high. Other industries typically have multipliers of around two to three or even less, so mine jobs are very hard to replace.”

Charles Sturt University (CSU) continues to expand with the construction of new student residences set to commence on the Orange Campus. Joss Construction began works associated with the new residences on 30 January so all major earthmoving will be finished before Orientation week. “Student numbers are constantly increasing at CSU,” said Head of Campus Professor Kevin Parton. “With the introduction of the dentistry degree this year, and more courses planned, the new accommodation will be a pleasing addition to the campus.” The new accommodation will house 40 students and will include study bedrooms, kitchens, common rooms and male and female bathrooms. “Our aim is to enhance the university experience for each student by offering all first year students on campus accommodation,” Professor Parton said. The new accommodation is designed to allow the easy addition of up to 60 more study bedrooms as student demand increases.

A recently launched NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC) Nursing program will see high school students from Orange, Bathurst and Oberon step on Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Orange as enrolled university students this week. The HSC Board Endorsed Nursing Course, in collaboration with the Health e2 Schools, CSU and TAFE, is a link for HSC students interested in pursuing a career in nursing at CSU. “The HSC Nursing program allows Year 12 students to complete two subjects in CSU’s Bachelor of Nursing,” says Susan Bragg from the University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery. “Upon successful completion, students will gain entry to the Bachelor of Nursing and be given credit for the two subjects.”