Senator Davey first visited to the campus’s Engineering building where she met with first-year students and viewed them constructing a ‘Rube Goldberg’ machine.

The tour also took in the IBM offices where Senator Davey learned of the important partnership between IBM and Charles Sturt, which embeds the global tech leader at Bathurst campus and facilitates real-world experience and employment opportunities upon graduation for students.

The tour then headed to the Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Futures Institute research laboratory where Senator Davey was briefed on the work of Professor Ganna Pogrebna and her team and had the opportunity to interact with robots.

Senator Davey’s tour also included the renovated communications teaching facilities, including a new ‘infinity wall’, computer labs, podcast studios and virtual boardroom. The Senator was also interviewed by student journalists at the campus’s 2MCE radio station studio.

Senator Davey’s time on campus concluded with a discussion with Charles Sturt University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Renée Leon.

Professor Leon said it was a pleasure to welcome Senator Davey to the University.

“Charles Sturt is a leader in teaching and research in a number of fields and this includes engineering, IT and communications,” Professor Leon said.

“It was terrific to be able to showcase this to Senator Davey through our fantastic students, staff and facilities in Bathurst, and open up a meaningful dialogue about how to further strengthen the University’s work in these fields in the future.”