In a series of articles first published in The Conversation, a CSU expert considers the local and international ramifications of three Middle East flashpoints in 2017 - Syria, Iraq and Turkey.

Nothing beats hands-on experience, especially in a challenging climate and new culture. This was the experience of eight final year CSU students, enrolled in the physiotherapy course based in Albury-Wodonga and Orange.

CSU ecologists Dr Melanie Massaro and Dr Alison Matthews were part of a team of scientists in the Antarctic last season studying the effects of climate change on the Adélie penguin, one of Antarctica's truly 'local' penguins.