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ONTARIO, CANADA
Home > Regional News > Ontario, Canada
CSU graduate’s international success
21 Aug 2007
Charles Sturt University (CSU) 2006 television production graduates Luke Heywood and Tim Pass are ecstatic with the news that their production Chance Your Hand will be screened at the 2007 New York Television Festival Independent Pilot Competition. Chance Your Hand, a situation comedy showing the behind the scenes drama of a television game show, was a major project during the students’ third year studies. Produced at the CSU School of Visual and Performing Arts studios at the Wagga Wagga Campus in inland NSW, Chance Your Hand is one of only three productions selected from outside the United States. CSU Associate Lecturer Patrick Sproule says, “this is a major accolade for the both the course and the students, showcasing just how capable, creative and talented our television, acting and theatre design graduates are”. Luke and Tim will travel to New York to attend the festival from 5 – 9 September and hope to meet network executives to further their television careers.
Media Note: For interviews contact CSU Media. The festival website in here. The production Chance Your Hand can be viewed online. (be aware Chance Your Hand contains coarse language that may offend some viewers).
Email Luke Heywood, writer and co-producer of Chance Your Hand here.
Print this story CSU embraces podcast education
21 Aug 2007
Charles Sturt University (CSU) is reaching out to students in distant and remote locations through the growing education resource of podcasting, the broadcast of audio files across the internet. CSU School of Computing and Mathematics lecturer Anthony Chan says: “Podcasting is now happening in CSU biomedical sciences, accounting, information technology, food and wine sciences and commercial radio and management courses. Podcasts are provided to students before and after classes and include interviews with experts from around the world”. An international collaborative project between CSU and USA’s Bentley College allows students in a first year computing subject to learn from each other and another lecturer half way round the world. The School of Computing and Mathematics also uses podcasting with a local Wagga Wagga high school, with their work in Japanese learning and teaching featured on Japanese television. Studies within CSU have shown that podcasting reduces the effects of isolation and promotes inclusiveness. Surveys with CSU undergraduate students also show podcasting reduces their stress levels, especially students who are coming into a higher education environment for the first time.
Media Note: For interviews contact CSU Media. Click here to hear a sample of CSU podcasting - an interview with Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Goulter regarding the new dental school at CSU. Print this story CSU builds on Chinese relations
17 Jul 2007
 Eight Charles Sturt University (CSU) International School of Business staff leave for China later this month to conduct intensive professional enhancement programs with their counterparts at four Chinese universities. Tianjin University of Commerce, Yunnan University of Economics and Finance, Changchun Taxation College and Yangzhou University are strategic partners with CSU for the delivery of business studies courses to international students overseas. Professor Alan Fish is Head of the International School of Business at CSU. He explains that the articulation agreements with the four Chinese institutions means students can graduate with both Chinese and western qualifications, making the students more employable. “We will be conducting intensive face-to-face sessions with the Chinese academics to familiarise them with assessment procedures and content of the CSU subjects,” Professor Fish said.
Media Note: CSU staff leave for China Thursday 26 July. Professor Alan Fish is available for interviews, contact CSU Media. The International School of Business staff travelling to China are Professor Alan Fish, Professor Terry Heazlewood, Associate Professor John Messing, Dr Ramudu Bhanugopan, Dr Robert Herriot, Tony Bush, Anthony Jarratt and Robert Scully. Print this story Posthumous Bachelor degree awarded at today’s CSU Ontario graduation
22 Jun 2007
Lynn Taitt-Isaac completed her Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing) course at Charles Sturt University (CSU) Ontario at the end of last year and was due to commence a Masters with CSU in July. Sadly, in March, Lynn was killed in an accident. She was 33. Today, at the CSU Ontario graduation, Lynn’s sister Lori Taitt will represent Lynn and wear the gown and mortar-board. Lynn’s family say they are all very proud of her accomplishments and want to celebrate on her behalf. Her mother, Monica Taitt, wants the other students graduating today to see that, even though Lynn has passed away, “life goes on. Lynn worked hard to achieve this. She had a zeal to do things, and she was very motivated - that keeps her spirit alive in us. Lynn talked about CSU a lot because she loved getting up in the morning and going there.”
Media Note: Lynn’s family will be attending the CSU Ontario graduation ceremony at the Burlington Convention Centre on Friday afternoon 22 June. Lynn’s sister Lori will accept the award on Lynn’s behalf. For more information or for interviews, contact Jenni Munday 905 333 4955 Ext.124 or email jmunday@csu.edu.au. Mrs Taitt will speak to the media after the ceremony. Print this story CSU Ontario’s second graduation is on song
19 Jun 2007
 CSU Ontario second-ever graduation will take place later this week. Over 250 graduands from the Faculties of Education, Arts, Health Studies, Science and Agriculture are expected to attend the two formal graduation sessions. Lisa Martin is not only graduating from her Bachelor of Primary Education Studies with distinction, but is also a passionate member of the CSU Ontario choir. A classically trained singer, Lisa received the gold medal in performance in her undergraduate studies at the University of Western Ontario, and has a Masters of Music from McGill University in Quebec: “The choir was a great way to unwind on Fridays during our teaching block and it adds another bonding element to the graduation experience.” Lisa adds that she is “thrilled” to have secured a position teaching grade 3-8 vocal with the Waterloo District School Board in Ontario.
Media Note: The choir will perform the Australian and Canadian national anthems, as well as three selections based around the theme of “dreaming”. Media are invited to attend the CSU Ontario graduation at the Burlington Convention Centre on Friday 22 June. For more information or for interviews, contact Jenni Munday 905 333 4955 Ext.124 or email jmunday@csu.edu.au Print this story Graduation "is part of the journey"
08 May 2007
Media Note: The Master of Health Services Management degree will be awarded to Marlene Mackey (with distinction) and Donna Leafloor at the graduation ceremony which commences at 10.30am on Wednesday 9 May in the CD Blake Auditorium. Media are invited to attend. For interviews, contact CSU Media. Print this story CSU in Ontario students head Down Under
01 May 2007
 Eight Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Ontario teacher education students arrive in Wagga Wagga and Albury this week to work in local schools. The Canadian students will then continue their antipodean travels before returning to Ontario for their graduations in June. This will be the second visit from Bachelor of Educational Studies (Primary Teaching) students from CSU in Ontario. Last year seven CSU in Ontario students spent time in Australia, where they got up close and personal with some native animals at Dubbo’s Western Plain Zoo and described the countryside as “very rural and very flat. It’s not desert but there’s not much green. It’s brown and dusty.” One student travelling to Australia this week, Ruth Markuc said, “I've always wanted to come to Australia and I think it will be an amazing opportunity to teach there. I would love to meet as many people and animals as possible. I really want to see a koala bear and a kangaroo while I'm there”.
Media Note: The CSU in Ontario students three-week practicum will see them teaching at Ashmont Primary School and Wagga Wagga Public School in Wagga Wagga, and Lavington East Public School and Table Top Public School in Albury. The Murray School of Education at CSU’s Albury-Wodonga Campus will welcome the students on Friday 4 May, and media are invited to attend. Print quality photographs are available. For more information or interviews, contact CSU Media. Print this story CSU in Ontario’s Teacher of Excellence
01 May 2007
 Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Ontario graduate Elizabeth Wild has been chosen as a First Year Teacher of Excellence for the Calgary Catholic School District in Canada. Elizabeth was in the first group of graduates from CSU’s Bachelor of Primary Education Studies, an elementary program for primary–junior teachers, which is offered by CSU onsite in Burlington, Ontario. Elizabeth teaches grade two at St. Rupert Elementary School in Calgary. She says she “loved” her CSU experience. “It provided me with hands-on, practical knowledge and experience and I was taught very cutting edge and progressive teaching techniques. CSU's program was absolutely fantastic. I really do feel like it is the best program in Ontario to prepare teachers for what the real classroom is going to be like. I think what I learned from CSU was a big part of the reason I was nominated for this award.”
Media Note: For more information, contact CSU Media. Print this story Diabetes 'time-bomb'
06 Mar 2007
 World Health Organisation predictions of a 60 per cent increase in Type 2 Diabetes between 1995 and 2030 have been challenged by a new study from Ontario. Researchers there have found a 69 per cent increase in the rate of the disease between 1995 and 2005 - far greater than previous projections for Canada. The authors of the new research say this could have devastating consequences worldwide. Professor Patrick Ball from Charles Sturt University’s School of Biomedical Sciences isn’t surprised. "The clear evidence is that we are losing the battle. There are so many different facets to the problem including lack of exercise and modern diets packed with fats and sugar. People are starting to accept diabetes as a normal part of the ageing process. I believe it is a worse health problem than tobacco."
Media Note: Professor Patrick Ball is available for interviews. Contact CSU Media. Print this story Happy feet in Hollywood
27 Feb 2007
Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturer in animation Damian Candusso is celebrating Oscar success for Australian director George Miller’s animated feature film Happy Feet. Damian, who is based at the CSU Wagga Wagga Campus, was already in Los Angeles for the 2007 Motion Picture Sound Editors’ (MPSE) annual Golden Reel Awards ceremony, which was held on Saturday 24 February. Happy Feet was nominated for Best Sound Editing at those awards, but lost to the animated movie Cars. However, last night Happy Feet went one better to pick up the Oscar for the Best Animated Feature Film at the 2007 Academy Awards. Speaking from Los Angeles Damian, who worked as a sound editor on the animated penguin flick said, “We’re all very excited,” adding , ”The sound award would have been awesome but the Academy Award is a higher honour”.
Media Note: Damian is available for media interviews, contact CSU Media. Print this story |
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Canadians Marlene Mackey and Donna Leafloor collect their Master of Health Services Management at Charles Sturt University (CSU) Bathurst graduation tomorrow morning (Wednesday 9 May). Marlene and Donna studied via distance education and are travelling across the world from Canada to attend the ceremony. Marlene said it seemed the perfect opportunity to turn the graduation experience into “the trip of a lifetime. This is all part of our journey. Graduating will give us closure and make it seem real. The whole process has offered us great job opportunities”. CSU senior lecturer Jenni Brackenreg said the School of Nursing and Midwifery was “delighted” that Marlene and Donna were making such a huge effort. “Despite the distances, we make very close connections with our Canadian students and Marlene and Donna are excellent examples of that.”