History will be made in Ontario, Canada on Friday 23 June at two formal graduation ceremonies for over 150 Charles Sturt University (CSU) graduates at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington.

 

In the morning 48 graduates will receive their awards, including a Doctor of Education graduate, and four who will graduate with distinction. The majority of graduates receiving their awards in the morning ceremony studied health-related courses through programs offered collaboratively between CSU and The Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences. In addition students will graduate from the Faculties of Arts, Commerce, Education and Science and Agriculture.

 

In the afternoon more than 100 graduates from CSU Ontario in Burlington will be awarded Bachelor of Primary Education Studies degrees from the Faculty of Education, seven with distinction. CSU’s Teaching program is now firmly established in Ontario, after becoming one of the first external providers to receive approval to operate as a university in the province. A second intake of around 180 students will soon commence studies at CSU’s Burlington campus for the new academic year.

 

A highlight of the afternoon ceremony will see the Mayor of Burlington, Robert MacIsaac presented with a Doctor of Arts (honoris causa) which was conferred in absentia in Australia by the Council of Charles Sturt University on 23 September 2005. The Citation will be read by CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Goulter.

 

“Robert MacIsaac is being recognised for his tireless community work, his leadership and service to the Burlington community, and his progressive and innovative approaches to economic growth in Burlington and Toronto. He has been unwavering in his support and continued encouragement for the establishment and operation of the University’s education program in Burlington,” said Professor Goulter.

 

Also attending the ceremony will be CSU Chancellor Lawrie Willett AO, Dr Heather Cavanagh representing the Dean of the Faculty of Health Studies, and Professor Tom Lowrie from the Faculty of Education. The former Dean of the Faculty of Education at CSU, Professor Bob Meyenn, who was instrumental in the establishment of the University’s presence in Ontario, will deliver the occasional address.

 

Dean of the Faculty of Education, Professor Toni Downes, another guest at the graduating ceremony, has strong links to Canada. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, and her son was born there. She says CSU’s first cohort of graduates is a very talented and committed group of beginning teachers who can make a significant contribution to the schools in which they will take up their jobs.

 

“As graduates from an international university they bring a more global perspective, having themselves been learners in an institution whose customs and traditions were different from those that they were comfortable with. Their ability to respond constructively to the challenges augurs well for the professional and personal challenges they will face in their careers.

 

“There is a consensus among the students that the quality of the teaching and learning that they experienced at CSU was of a very high standard, and they all feel confident in taking up their first teaching position.”

 

Burlington City Council will hold a reception to celebrate and recognise the first graduating class from the Burlington campus of Charles Sturt University on June 22 at the Waterfront Centre, Lakeshore Road, Burlington.

 

This Bachelor of Primary Education Studies is offered under the written consent of the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities for the period from 24th December 2004 to 24th December 2009 . Prospective students are responsible for satisfying themselves that the program and the degree will be appropriate to their needs (e.g., acceptable to potential employers, professional licensing bodies or other educational institutions).