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BATHURST
Home > Regional News > Bathurst
Social development in Asia-Pacific
18 Nov 2008
 Increasing awareness of the social development needs of the Asia-Pacific region is one of the aims of an international conference being co-organised by Associate Professor Manohar Pawar from Charles Sturt University (CSU). The conference, which will be held in Nepal from Tuesday 25 to Friday 28 November, is held biennially by the International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD). Professor Pawar, from the CSU Institute for Land, Water and Society, is president of the ICSD Asia-Pacific branch. “This conference, with its themes of social development, transition and local partnerships, is being held at a time of international financial uncertainty,” said Professor Pawar. “Some world leaders have responded by pleading for global partnership and cooperation to deal with the financial crisis, though the whole world may not be responsible for such a crisis. Similar to the financial crisis, the world is experiencing severe and intensive crises such as poverty and hunger, climate change, disasters and drought, war and violence, and mass displacement of people. It is also timely to call for global partnership and cooperation to attack these crises.”
Media Note: The conference, Social Development and Transition: Paths for Global Local Partnerships will be held at the Dhulikhel Lodge Resort in Kathmandu, Nepal. The program can be found here ( CMS/document store/ISCD speakers program .doc ). Further information about the International Consortium for Social Development Asia Pacific branch can be found here. Conference co-organiser, Associate Professor Manohar Pawar will depart CSU at Wagga Wagga for Nepal on Friday 21 November. Among the guest speakers for the three day event is social activist, Ms Medha Patkar, from India. Her awards include the Right Livelihood Award, the Green Ribbon Award from the BBC, and Amnesty International Award for Human Rights Defenders. Print this story Scholarship for CSU careers advisor
18 Nov 2008
 cropped & resized copy1.jpg) Ms Vicki Anderson, a career development advisor in the Division of Student Services at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Bathurst, has received one of only seven Commonwealth government ‘Study Scholarships’ awarded to university careers advisors. The Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. Ms Julia Gillard, MP, Minister for Employment, Workplace Relations and Social Inclusion, announced a total of 76 scholarships to careers advisors working at schools, TAFEs or universities on Wednesday 12 November. ‘Study Scholarships’ are worth $5 000 each and provide support for people to undertake postgraduate studies and upgrade their career advisor skills and qualifications. Ms Anderson said, “I am delighted this scholarship will enable me to complete my current studies in career education and development, and this will enhance my ability to assist Charles Sturt University students in their exploration of life-long learning and work.”
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews. Print this story Big electricity bills motivate users to switch off
11 Nov 2008
2.jpg){kind=small} An initial survey of NSW households by a Charles Sturt University researcher has found most householders are looking at ways to become more energy efficient by using less electricity. However, while environmental concern is one reason people aim to reduce their usage, according to CSU postgraduate student Ms Jodie Kleinschafer it is the “larger than expected electricity bill” that is the more immediate motivator. “When ‘average’ householders get larger than expected electricity bills, they start to look for ways to reduce the electricity they use,” said Mrs Kleinschafer, who is undertaking a three year, $100 000 research project funded by Country Energy. So far, Mrs Kleinschafer has surveyed 80 households, and in conjunction with Country Energy will survey a further 4 000 regional NSW households in the next two months. She said the findings of her research would enable electricity retailers to manage increasing electricity demand in a way that still satisfies the needs of residential electricity consumers.
Media Note: For interviews contact the Media Office. Print this story Business films screened for CSU competition
11 Nov 2008
Entries in a short film competition sponsored by the Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Marketing and Management will be screened on Wednesday evening, 12 November, at the CSU at Bathurst. The CSU Flix - M&M Short Film Awards focus on the topic ‘Life as a business student with the CSU School of Marketing and Management’. There are three prizes valued at $2 000 for the winners, chosen from three categories which focus on the experience of students enrolled in distance education, on campus or postgraduate studies. The short film entries will be used on CSU websites for prospective students wanting an insight into student life. Admission on the night is by donation to Headspace, a charity for young people with mental health problems in Bathurst.
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews. The short film entries and M&M Award’s night will start at 6.30pm, Wednesday 12 November at CSU at building S15 in Room 2-5. Light refreshments will be served on arrival. Guest judges include Associate Professor Rod McCulloch (Head of CSU School of Communications), Mr Jimmy Foggo (Digital Media Producer for Fremantle Media Australia) and Mr Mark Waters (Managing Director of PPS, Sydney). Print this story CSU backs women's health and safety
11 Nov 2008
 re-sized.jpg) The Vice-Chancellor and President of Charles Sturt University (CSU), Professor Ian Goulter, presented over $1 300 to representatives of the Central West Women’s Health Centre in Bathurst for its Emergency Fund on Thursday 6 November. The money was raised by CSU staff and community members at the ‘Reclaim the Night’ march in Bathurst on Thursday 30 October. Speaking at the presentation, Professor Goulter, thanked the community for its support of this event and underlined the importance of the ‘town and gown’ co-operation that was mentioned by Sister Pat Linnane in her speech to the gathering at the march. “Violence against women and children has an enormous impact on the ability of victims to learn, work and live to their full capacity. I am proud that this event was so well supported by the wider community and by staff and students from CSU who affirmed the right of women and children to walk freely and safely in any community.”
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews. Print this story New scheme falls into student laps
11 Nov 2008
Media Note: For interviews contact CSU Media. Print this story Time to correct mistakes of ABC
07 Nov 2008
 The appointment of receivers to manage the private childcare operator ABC Learning Centres represents a prime opportunity for the Rudd government to make right the mistakes of the past, according to a Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic. The childcare operator yesterday went into voluntary administration with the receivers assuring parents that the centres will remain open. “Many early childhood experts had expressed concern about the growing monopoly of ABC, particularly in regional areas,” said Senior Lecturer with the CSU School of Teacher Education Ms Fran Press. “The Commonwealth should show leadership by brokering a deal between the three levels of government and the community sector to ensure the survival of childcare places. Not only would this ensure the retention of much needed childcare places, it would put them in a good position to work toward the fulfilment of election promises concerning the provision of early childhood education.” The fact ABC currently has about 30 per cent of long day care places in Australia is unusual. “No other country entrusts so much childcare to just one provider,” said Ms Press.
Media Note: CSU lecturer Ms Fran Press is available for interview. She is based at CSU in Bathurst. Contact CSU Media on 0439 475 315
Print this story Minister to launch new IT degree
04 Nov 2008
A new information technology (IT) course to be offered by Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Bathurst will be launched on Friday 7 November by the Hon. Phillip Costa, MP, NSW Minister for Water, Rural Affairs and Regional Development. The Bachelor of Information Technology (Business Services) degree has been developed by CSU and international computer firm IBM to keep pace with rapidly evolving industry needs and will provide skilled IT professionals for a range of industries. Head of the CSU School of Accounting and Computer Science, Associate Professor Ross Wilson, said, “The degree, which offers a mix of technical and business aspects that reflects what industry is looking for, will be offered from the start of 2009 and will incorporate flexible delivery to facilitate concurrent work experience. All 22 students accepted into the new course will be fully supported by scholarships funded by industry partners IBM, Country Energy and the NSW Department of Lands.”
Media Note: The official launch of the Bachelor of IT (Business Services) degree by the NSW Minister for Water, Rural Affairs and Regional Development, the Hon. Phillip Costa, MP, will take place at 11.30am on Friday 7 November at the James Hardie Room , Centre for Professional Development on the CSU Bathurst Campus. Print this story Marketing Mint money
04 Nov 2008
 cropped & resized.jpg) Five groups of final year marketing students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) will deliver marketing plans to representatives of the Royal Australian Mint at a presentation at the Bathurst Campus on Thursday 6 November. Lecturer in marketing at the School of Marketing and Management, Mr Andrew Mashman, explained that following an invitation from Dr Felicity Mullens, Marketing Manager of the Royal Australian Mint, his class of strategic marketing management students travelled to Canberra to inspect the Mint and be briefed about Australia’s diminishing use of coin-based currency, the Mint’s core business. After returning, the students worked in groups for eight weeks to explore marketing strategies and research opportunities the Mint could consider. “Each group will deliver a 20-minute presentation to communicate how they would ensure the longevity of Australia’s premium minting facility,” Mr Mashman said. “The students feel the pressure to perform because of the client’s involvement, and as graduating students they know this will be an important step in their transition into the workforce in 2009.”
Media Note: Contact CSU Media to arrange interviews with Mr Andrew Mashman and Dr Felicity Mullens. The presentations by CSU marketing students to representatives of the Royal Australian Mint will be between 12.30pm to 2.30pm at The Grange, CSU Bathurst Campus, on Thursday 6 November. Print this story Award for promoting affinity in Australian society
28 Oct 2008
 A national award promoting religious harmony and acceptance within Australian society has been bestowed on Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturer in theology, Associate Professor Clive Pearson. The principal of the United Theological College (UTC) in Sydney, within the CSU School of Theology, received an Australian Affinity Award in September. The award recognised Professor Pearson’s significant contributions in the study of religion, interfaith and intercultural dialogue, and the ‘facilitating' by CSU in this dialogue. Associate Professor Pearson was particularly recognised for his work on the public theology of issues of diversity in Sydney, including analysis of the riots in the Sydney suburb of Cronulla in December 2005. “The United Theological College has been working with Affinity and Sydney’s Islamic community firstly out of concern for the neighbour, for the stranger in our midst and a concern for social cohesion,” said Associate Professor Pearson. “We have attended and presented at each other's conferences because we believe that it is important for a Christian theology to be done these days in the presence of the religious other as well as the secular.”
Media Note: Associate Professor Clive Pearson is on study leave at Princeton University, New Jersey, USA until 31 December. He is one of 12 international scholars selected to be a member of the prestigious Center of Theological Inquiry. He is completing a book on what is a public theology, with reference to Australia. Associate Professor Pearson and fellow UTC lecturer, the Reverend Dr William Emilsen, recently presented papers to the Forum on Public Policy at Oxford University, UK. Associate Professor Pearson’s paper focused on a Christian theological response to the Cronulla riots in dialogue with a range of other sociological, media and criminology analyses. Dr Emilsen's address focussed on religion and teenage suicide bombers. Print this story |
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The tapping sound of typing is replacing the rustle of paper and scratching of pens across lecture theatres in regional Australia as students purchase laptop computers though Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) rebate scheme. CSU is offering a $300 rebate to on campus undergraduate students who purchase a laptop for their studies. Lecturers welcome the rebate scheme. Head of CSU at Dubbo, Mr Gary Shipp, said “The scheme is designed to encourage and assist students make the most of accessing university online systems when visiting and studying on campus. Distance students can take advantage of the scheme when required to attend compulsory residential schools on campus. I hope it will make note taking and assessment writing easier for our students."