CSU in Albury-Wodonga will host satellite event for All About Women festival on Sunday 10 MarchAll About Women provides a vital platform for women's voices

* CSU research aims to make Albury city more walkable for residents * Volunteers aged 65+ years needed to assist research in 2019 * Walking improves health and wellbeing and increases access to social and economic life

* Riverina Year 12 students will have experienced 21 years of whizzes, fizzes and bangs when they participate in this year’s HSC Chemistry Days at CSU* Students from far-flung high schools gather to complete parts of their Chemistry course that they cannot do in their school* Students will visit CSU’s world-class facilities and learn about course and career optionsFinal year students from far-flung high schools will gather in Wagga Wagga next week to complete parts of their Chemistry course for the Higher School Certificate (HSC).About 220 Year 12 students from 20 NSW high schools will travel up to 450 kilometres to Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga to undertake a series of experiments and practice their skills on equipment that is not available in their own schools.While visiting the campus, they will also experience the CSU facilities and staff, and live a slice of University life.“We want to show students, and teachers, some of what we have to offer science students, particularly the world-class facilities and equipment, as well as courses and career opportunities,” said CSU chemistry lecturer and course director Dr Celia Barril.“This program has been running for 21 years in collaboration with the Eastern Riverina Science Teacher Association, with the aim of filling important requirements for Chemistry students in their HSC, while also promoting careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, particularly chemistry.”Students will complete experiments on acidity and basicity of common household products, iron content of cereals, and water acidification during the week commencing Monday 18 February.“Students take part to short activities demonstrating chemistry concepts and their application in our modern world.“We will also discuss studies and career paths in chemistry and science in general. Everyone participates, the students and their teachers and CSU staff - it is a great program!,” Dr Barril said.

CSU research shows a regular 10-week fitness program has both physical and mental benefits for older regional Australians.Participants increased their ability to do daily activities and were more satisfied with their lives over the duration of the program.Participants received personalised attention from CSU allied health students who also received important intergenerational work experience during the program.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will host three graduation ceremonies in Albury this week, Wednesday 19 December.These are part of the wider graduation season during December across all main campuses as well as in Parramatta and the two CSU Study Centres in Sydney and Melbourne. The season concludes in Albury-Wodonga.More than 370 students will be present to graduate across all the Albury ceremonies in Albury which are for graduands based at CSU in Albury-Wodonga. In addition, thousands of family members and friends will celebrate the achievements of these graduands.Head of Campus at CSU in Albury Wodonga, Dr Jennifer Munday said, “Over 370 graduates will receive their testamurs from the University in Albury this year, and we congratulate our graduating professionals on the successful completion of their studies.“Sometimes we can get caught up with the busy-ness of the end of the year, so it’s wonderful to be able to stop and take the time to reflect and congratulate the many students who are graduating, and celebrate their achievements.“Anyone who has completed a long-term project or achieved a long-awaited goal will understand the sheer joy and excitement of a graduate at the moment they shake the hand of the Vice-Chancellor and receive their hard earned testamur.“The testamur our graduates will receive at the graduation ceremonies is their key to future success. Not only is it an important marker in their lives, an achievement they should be proud of, but it will unlock new opportunities for them. For some it will mean a new career, for others it will mean they are one of many CSU graduates who will earn the highest starting salary of any graduate in New South Wales,” Dr Munday said.In recognition of their impact on their professions in regional Australia, three CSU alumni who are professional leaders and entrepreneurs will give the occasional addresses to graduates in all three ceremonies listed below. These graduation ceremonies will be held in the Albury Entertainment Centre, Swift St in Albury:9.30am - 136 graduates present in the Faculty of Science ceremony, from the Schools of Community Health, Environmental Science, Agriculture & Wine Science, Animal & Veterinary Sciences and General Science.Occasional speaker: Ms Leah Wiseman.2pm - 140 graduates present in the Faculty of Science ceremony, from the Schools of Nursing, Midwifery & Indigenous Health, Biomedical Science, Dentistry & Health Science, Exercise Science Sport & Health and Human Movement Studies; and from all schools of the Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences.Occasional speaker: Mr Ty Seaton, Chief Radiographer of The X-Ray Group.6pm - 96 graduates from all schools of the Faculty of Arts and Education, including the Schools of Education, and Humanities & Social Sciences.Occasional speaker: Ms Jo Palmer, educator, networker and business entrepreneur, based in regional NSW.

* UK expert to speak at CSU in Albury-Wodonga * Plastic in the environment a huge and growing problem, with plastic ingestion by marine wildlife lethal * Plastic rapidly accumulating in the most remote regions of the worldDr Maggie Watson, lecturer in ornithology and seabird researcher in the CSU School of Environment Sciences and researcher in the Institute for Land, Water and Society (ILWS) is hosting a seminar by a leading international expert.Dr Watson announced that Dr Alex Bond (pictured left), Senior Curator in Charge of Birds at the Natural History Museum in London will present a seminar at 3pm Wednesday 5 December at the School of Environmental Sciences at CSU in Albury-Wodonga.The seminar is titled ‘Trash talk: The story of the shearwater and the bottle cap’.Dr Watson explained that plastics are a long-lasting and increasingly problematic man-made problem in the environment which is injuring and killing increasing numbers of wildlife.“There are an estimated five trillion pieces of plastic floating on and in the world’s oceans,” Dr Watson said.“Increasingly, plastic that has broken down into very small pieces – microplastics − are contaminating the food chain.“Plastic is extremely durable in the environment, but the very qualities that make plastics desirable materials for manufacturing have dire consequences for the environment, and each year more than 8 million items end up in the world’s oceans.“Once there, these plastics act as sponges to absorb hydrophobic contaminants from the surrounding water, and are then often ingested by marine animals.“Over the last decade, Dr Bond’s research has demonstrated the severity of the problem for some of the most affected species, the consequences of plastic ingestion for marine wildlife, and the rapid accumulation of plastic in the most remote regions of the world.”

Fish expert and celebrity television host Dr Zeb Hogan (pictured left) will deliver a public lecture on Wednesday 12 December during the international Fish Passage 2018 conference to be held in Albury between 10 and 14 December 2018.The lecture is part of the week-long Fish Passage 2018 conference, which will be hosted by the Charles Sturt University (CSU).Institute for Land, Water and Society, and NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI).The meeting gathers experts from around the world to discuss the latest technologies to help migrating fish such as the iconic Murray cod to negotiate dam walls and barrages and reach important breeding grounds.The conference co-chair, Dr Lee Baumgartner, is recognised throughout Australia and South East Asia for his work in adapting fish passages to the needs of native fish and the local people who depend on these fisheries for food and recreation.“A number of significant issues are affecting native fish populations in rivers in the Riverina, including the blocking of migration routes by dams and weirs,” Dr Baumgartner said.“This conference will focus on how we can help our native species avoid or overcome some of these issues using smart technologies such as fishways, also known as or fish ladders.The conference will also showcase innovative technologies used to monitor fish migrations like radio tags, acoustic tags, microchips and the “Salmon Cannon” from Whoosh Innovation. All will be on display during the conference and at the public lecture by Dr Hogan.“Dr Hogan has long advocated for maintaining fish migration routes, which are essential for spawning and feeding. He is supporting our cause by showing off some of Australia’s megafish such as the Murray cod which have previously featured on his National Geographic show, Monster Fish,” Dr Baumgartner said, pictured left.“Dr Hogan has caught megafish across the globe. He will take the audience on a journey on the importance of big fish and how migrations are essential for their long term survival.“Entry is free and open to the public, and families are especially welcome. It will be a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages to connect with all things fish.”Tickets to hear about Dr Zeb’s amazing adventures with big fish are now available from the Albury Entertainment Centre, which will host the free lecture between 7 and 9 pm. A ticket will be required to gain entry and the event will open to the public from 6pm.In addition to Dr Hogan, attendees will be able to view the scientific poster display and chat with exhibitors on a range of innovations related to fish.Book here to attend the free Zeb Hogan lecture.

* Innovative ideas from CSU-Hume Bank Life Tech Challenge 2018 have been invited to a CSU Bootcamp to advance business ideas* Challenge entries were judged on creativity, use of technology, and impact on people* CSU’s mission is to build skills and knowledge in its regionsCharles Sturt University (CSU) is hosting a weekend-long innovation boot camp for all finalists in the Hume Bank’s Life Tech Challenge 2018, starting on Friday 26 October.The Hume Bank Life Tech Challenge 2018 gathered innovative people who have an idea to improve a standard of living through technology.The CSU Innovation Bootcamp will be held at CSU in Albury-Wodonga from the afternoon of Friday 26 to Sunday 28 October. It is designed to take participants through the essential steps to propel their business ideas forward.Director of Knowledge Exchange and Engagement in the CSU Research Office, Dr Laura Dan, said the initiative builds on the University’s long-term strategic commitment to the growth and development in the regions and communities across NSW.“The Charles Sturt University innovation agenda supports the development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem across its footprint, encourages interaction between small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the University, supports business innovation, and encourages jobs growth in the region.“We were delighted to sponsor the Hume Bank Life Tech Challenge by providing access to the innovation boot camp, which is based on the successful CenWest Innovate model developed by the University.”CSU has established three highly focussed incubators: the AgriTech Incubator in Wagga Wagga; CenWest Innovate in Bathurst; and the Walan Mayinygu Indigenous Entrepreneurship Pop Up Hub Program.“Through these programs, Charles Sturt University provides tailored programs and technical support for growth, as well as business networking and training events which will be facilitated at a number of the University’s campus locations around NSW,” Dr Dan concluded.Event details:When: Friday 26 October from 6 to 8pm, Saturday 27 October from 9am to 5pm, and Sunday 28 October from 9am to 2pm.Venue: Building 751, Room 112, CSU in Albury-Wodonga, off Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona (park in Carpark P2).

In their final activity at Charles Sturt University (CSU), fourth year students will explore the possibilities of their new careers as occupational therapists in a two day conference starting Wednesday 24 October at CSU in Albury-Wodonga.The CSU students will present papers on contemporary practice issues relevant to the provision of occupational therapy services to regional, rural and remote communities with a specific focus on Indigenous Australian people.In her final year of the occupational therapy course, student Ms Gemma Wall hailed the conference initiative as an excellent way to showcase how far the students had progressed after four years of university study.“During my course I learned much about the importance of culturally competent care and the impact this can have on improving health outcomes when working with culturally diverse clients such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Ms Wall said.In her conference presentation, Ms Wall is considering how to successfully implement a culturally sensitive self-management program for stroke rehabilitation in an Indigenous Australian community.Ms Wall will draw from the Best Evidence for Stroke Therapy study being conducted at CSU in partnership with Albury Wodonga Health and Wagga Wagga Base Hospital.Fellow student Ms Rachel Ralph said the conference was particularly relevant as new national standards for cultural competency in occupational therapy become effective in January 2019.“The conference is important as it allows us to educate each other on how we can better our practice with Indigenous people,” Ms Ralph said.Discipline Lead of the occupational therapy program in the CSU School of Community Health, Dr Tracey Parnell, said the conference allowed students to demonstrate what they had learned from their studies, and the intellectual rigour they can offer to the health of regional, rural and Indigenous Australians.“The conference is the culmination of the four year course for these students. It provides an opportunity for them to show the breadth and depth of their knowledge in various areas of contemporary practice.”“This year we also challenged the students to examine their chosen topic in relation to Indigenous Australians.”Dr Parnell will welcome participants and students to the conference from 8.30 am on Wednesday 24 October at Room 101, Building 667 at CSU in Albury-Wodonga, Broomfield Court, Thurgoona.The 26 student presentations include:* Addressing Indigenous health inequality and the role of occupational health in ‘closing the gap’;* Ageing in place in Indigenous Australian communities;* The mental health implication of leaving the land;* Challenges in accessing stroke rehabilitation in rural and remote areas; and* Chronic pain and its impact on mental health.The conference will be closed after 2pm on Thursday 25 October by the Head of the School of Community Health, Associate Professor Michael Curtin. The event coincides with national Occupational Therapy Week.