A new journal to promote excellence in teaching, foster research and contribute to ongoing development of education of accounting professionals has been unveiled by Charles Sturt University (CSU). The bi-annual Australian Journal of Accounting Education (AJAE) is published by the University’s (CSU) Faculty of Commerce with sponsorship from CPA Australia. “There are only three other journals focusing in this area and they are based in the USA and UK,” said Editor and CSU senior lecturer Jenny Kent. “As the first journal of its kind in Australia-Asian region, this publication provides an important publishing opportunity for accounting academics interested in researching the scholarship of learning and teaching in accounting,” she added.

A Charles Sturt University (CSU)Communication student has won "Best Talk Presenter" at the prestigious Australian Commercial Radio Awards. Latika Bourke, a Broadcast student who is expected to graduate in 2006, also won the "Brian White Memorial Journalism Award" for her feature piece “21 Health Jobs Saved”. Ms Bourke has been hosting the 2BS Morning Wireless Program since December last year. Her 2BS Gold and BRock FM colleague, Chris Baskerville, a CSU Communication graduate, won the "Matt Ellis Encouragement Award for Best Newcomer On-Air". The gala event was held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Saturday 15 October and recognised excellence across all aspects of commercial radio broadcasting at metropolitan, regional and provincial commercial radio stations.

A leading telecommunications analyst heads the speakers list at a free seminar to be held at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga on Monday 31 October. Examining a critical issue for regional Australia, Paul Budde, Managing Director of BuddeComm, will draw on his company’s research to discuss the future of regional telecommunications from 9.25am to 10.25am in the National Wine and Grape Industry Centre near the CSU Winery, Wagga Wagga. His address will be followed by a roundtable discussion led by an expert panel including Dean of the University’s Faculty of Science and Agriculture, Professor Jim Pratley, Executive Director of the CSU Division of Information Technology, Mike Rebbechi and Managing Director of the Commercial Response Unit in Wagga Wagga, Gary Wells. The seminar will be held from 9.15am to 12noon and will cover a range of topics including the sale of Telstra, the $2 billion Regional Telecommunications Fund, broadband and new business opportunities as well as developments in telecommunications.

In 2006 allied health students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in 2006 will be eligible for $10,000 scholarships under a new Commonwealth scheme aimed at addressing the shortage of allied health professionals in rural and regional Australia. The Head of the University’s Albury-Wodonga Campus, Professor Gail Whiteford has applauded the $4 million initiative as a timely incentive for new and continuing students studying allied health courses including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, podiatry, and psychology. “Sixty five scholarships will be available in 2006, building to 195 in 2008, which will be of enormous assistance to rural students and a terrific boost to the future of allied health in rural and regional areas,” said Professor Whiteford. The scheme is funded by the Federal Government and administered by Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health Inc (SARRAH). Applications for the scholarships are expected to open in January 2006. Further information is available here.

Academic cooperation between Charles Sturt University (CSU) and a university in southern Taiwan has been formalised by the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The document was signed by CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Goulter and President of the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Professor Chang-Hung Chou. While links have already been established in the areas of plant protection and equine studies, the academic cooperation between the institutions could include joint research programs, exchange of academic staff and students or the organisation of joint activities such as courses, conferences, seminars or lectures. The MOU was signed during a visit in late August to CSU’s Wagga Wagga Campus by Professor Chou.

Hailed as a leader of Australia’s new generation architects, Peter Stutchbury has won the national competition to design a $10 million development on the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Albury-Wodonga Campus. The multi award winner, well known for his innovative, environmentally sensitive structures, will design the new Learning Commons building, which will house a student based centre for collaborative learning and academic community, incorporating library, computing and learning skills staff and technologies. “Due to be completed by 2008, the project demonstrates CSU’s continued investment in higher education in regional Australia and on the NSW-Victorian border,” said Head of the Albury-Wodonga Campus, Professor Gail Whiteford. The launch marks the start of the third and final stage of the University’s move from the Albury city site to the campus site based at Thurgoona.

A number of Pacific Island countries met for three days from Tuesday 17 January to establish partnerships to help preserve their rich history. Charles Sturt University (CSU) historian and cultural heritage manager Associate Professor Dirk Spennemann chaired the meeting, which was opened by the President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, The Hon Kesai Note, in the nation's capital Majuro. The meeting gathered local and expatriate historical researchers and heritage managers to share ideas and encourage collaboration across the Pacific Islands region. Majuro, like much of the central and northern Pacific region, was the scene of a bloody battle between Japanese and US forces during World War II and has many historic relics from that period.

Prospective students, their parents and friends will receive a taste of university life when they attend Welcome Day 2006 at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Albury-Wodonga Campus this Wednesday 25 January. Students who have received enrolment offers in CSU business, education, environmental and information sciences and health courses can attend the day-long event. The day will include a welcome from the Head of Campus, course information sessions, campus tours and accommodation information. Head of the Albury-Wodonga Campus Professor Gail Whiteford said the day offers an important opportunity for new students to meet with staff, complete administrative tasks and settle accommodation arrangements before the start of the new academic year in February. “Welcome Day activities will help remove some of the anxiety of starting university life, especially for students moving to Albury for their studies,” Professor Whiteford said. Events will be held on the University’s Thurgoona Campus, Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona, and on Albury City campus, Olive St, Albury between 10am and 3pm.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will launch a new comprehensive leadership development program for women staff this Monday 6 February. Australian universities record low numbers of women in senior management positions, with national figures showing just 11 per cent of women hold professorial positions. The CSU Leadership Development for Women Program will run throughout 2006 and commences with a week of activities being held from Monday 6 February to Friday 10 February. Guest speakers who will give presentations on their experience of moving into leadership positions include:  Dr Jeane McConachie, Director Division of Teaching and Learning Services, Central Queensland University; Ms Sarah Davies, Vice-President Student Affairs, Swinburne University; and Professor Margaret Sheil, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) at University of Wollongong. Associate Professor Marian Tulloch, Director CSU's Centre for Enhancing, Learning and Teaching or CELT will officially launch the program at 2 pm Monday 6 February in the Foundation Rooms, Centre for Professional Development on CSU’s Bathurst Campus.