Archive
Can ants predict rain?
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003Ants in the kitchen, ants on fence posts – are these sign that rain is imminent? “No”, says Australian ant researcher and Charles Sturt University (CSU) PhD student, Mr Wayne Robinson. “I hear these stories regularly, but it has never been scientifically proven that ants can predict rain. It has been seen, however, that some ant species react to other environmental cues, such as increasing day length or higher temperatures, and build up the entrances to their nests or move fertile male and queen ants to higher ground at the start of ‘normal’ rainy seasons. Ants don’t know it is going to rain; like our farmers, they are just hoping it will be a normal season.” Mr Robinson, who lectures in environmental science in Queensland, is currently at CSU at Albury-Wodonga to further his PhD studies of ants on Fraser Island off central Queensland. But Mr Robinson says he is still keeping an open mind on the subject. “As with any scientific research, the answer can be changed with new evidence.”
South African wildlife leaves lasting impression
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003A close encounter with lions on a trip to South Africa has given a Charles Sturt University (CSU) veterinary science student a taste for adventure. Fifth-year student Mr James Chadwick travelled to South Africa in September to attend the International Symposium on Wildlife Utilisation, which focuses on veterinary involvement in wildlife management. “The trip opened my eyes to the possibility of working with wild animals in southern Africa, a completely different world of veterinary work that I never knew existed,” said Mr Chadwick. “The highlight of the trip was assisting a veterinarian doing health checks at Lions Rock Sanctuary, which required sedating lions. While transporting the lions from the clinic to their rangelands, on the back of a ute, we noticed the sedative was wearing off and they started to twitch and growl, which was scary, but fun!” The CSU student is keen to return to South Africa to participate in further hands-on experiences and to learn new skills.
Twittering for online learning
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
New students enrolled in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Ontario, Canada, are using the social networking system Twitter and email to communicate with their lecturer, Ms Jenni Munday. "As educators, we are constantly looking for new ways to create a sense of community for students who study by distance education. Using Twitter is a good way to create this community," says Ms Munday, who is based in Albury-Wodonga, Australia, at the CSU Murray School of Education. Each student joins Twitter and chooses to 'follow' the lecturer and all the other students, so everyone benefits from reading the tweets from each member of the group. “Students can ask each other questions and they receive feedback when devising their research questions for an upcoming assessment presentation. It is a more immediate way to study from afar,” Ms Munday concludes.
Scholarship in memory of CSU acting graduate
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003A special scholarship will be offered by Charles Sturt University (CSU) in 2010 in memory of the late acting graduate from Wagga Wagga, Ms Ann Gwynn-Jones. The scholarship will be awarded to a new student in the Bachelor of Arts (Acting for Screen and Stage) degree next year. Ms Gwynn-Jones graduated from the same course in 2001 but died a short time later. The Charles Sturt Foundation has joined with the School of Visual and Performing Arts at CSU at Wagga Wagga to assist her family in raising funds to provide a perpetual scholarship. In aid of this, the School’s University Theatre Ensemble will present a performance of Gormenghast, a novel by Mervyn Peake. The performance on Saturday 31 October in the Riverina Playhouse will be directed by Mr John Saunders.
History award for CSU academic
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
A Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic has received a top honour for his services as a leading advocate for heritage and community history in regional NSW. Associate Professor Bruce Pennay, an adjunct academic with the University’s Institute for Land, Water and Society [link] based at Thurgoona, has been awarded the Annual History Citation by the History Council of NSW, the peak body for historians in the State. The citation particularly applauded Professor Pennay’s “research, explanation and promotion of the migrant experience in the post-war years”, especially at the Bonegilla Reception and Training Centre near Albury-Wodonga. This year, Professor Pennay also received a Medal of the Order of Australia in recognition of his service to the Albury-Wodonga community.
$9 million building projects at CSU at Bathurst
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
The preparatory work is under way for the start of construction of two projects at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Bathurst worth more than $9 million. The extensive refurbishment of the University’s corporate headquarters, The Grange, has commenced, along with development of the new Dental and Oral Health Clinic which is a feature of the School of Dentistry and Health Sciences. The Director of Planning, Design and Construction at the CSU Division of Facilities Management, Mr Richard Barraclough, said these projects are part of the University’s extensive multi-million dollar 2007-2011 capital works program. “Work at The Grange is valued at $3.2 million, including furniture and equipment, and is expected to be completed by April 2010. The Dental and Oral Health Clinic is valued at $6.16 million including furniture, fittings, dental chairs and instrumentation, and is due for completion by May 2010. Both projects are being undertaken by Joss Constructions,” Mr Barraclough said.
Taking education research to the world
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003Charles Sturt University (CSU) academics have a new opportunity to bring their education research to the forefront of international efforts in Indigenous, rural and remote, and environmental education. Professor Jo-Anne Reid, Associate Dean of the CSU Faculty of Education at Bathurst, and President of the Australian Association for Research in Education, said the newly established World Education Research Association (WERA) is a worldwide network of education researchers which will bring together the very best of education research. “We live in a global world and education in Australia can only benefit from being a part of this international body,” Professor Reid said. “These collaborations extend and enrich our own knowledge across all fields of education.” One study currently underway which has the potential for global application is TERRAnova, an Australian Research Council-funded project run in collaboration with researchers from four Australian universities looking at the factors which appear to make a difference in attracting and retaining teachers in rural communities. “Our nationwide study is focusing on schools in communities that have been nominated as successful in attracting and retaining good teachers. This is truly a global issue that, through research, can impact positively on our future as a nation, as well as internationally,” she said.
Lifting aspirations
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff and students will be out to show school students from Wodonga Middle Years School that anyone from anywhere can aspire to go to the University. The Year 9 students who are from various cultural and lower socio-economic backgrounds will attend a mock lecture, tour facilities on the Albury-Wodonga Campus at Thurgoona and take part in a Permablitz that will be running on site during their visit on Friday 30 October. The students are taking part in the American-based program, Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), which is supported by CSU. “AVID helps students to understand their options and encourages them to continue their education to Year 12 and beyond. It is a ‘can do’ project that works closely with students to raise their self-esteem and create a positive attitude,” said Ms Sandra Boyd, event coordinator and CSU Equity Officer.
Has it really been 50 years?
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003“Lock up your daughters, the Aggies are in town”, was the rumour that spread through town in 1959 when the students of Wagga Wagga Agricultural College, a predecessor of Charles Sturt University (CSU), visited Wagga for a social occasion. These and other fond memories will be shared when the Class of 1959 gets together for their 50-year reunion at CSU at Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 28 October. Organiser Mr Ian Mashman expects 29 of the graduating 33 students will attend, bringing along years of memories, reflections and yarns on what their lives have become. “Two of our class went on to earn PhDs and we’ve managed to contribute to subsequent generations with 181 grandchildren between us,” he said. “About 13 of us became long-term farmers, and with few exceptions the balance worked in associated agricultural and viticultural industries,” said Mr Mashman. While life is vastly different for the agricultural science students of 2009, back in 1959 there were only five cars on campus. But Mr Mashman reflects, “I don’t think that much has changed, we had great fun in those days”.
Scholarships for TAFE students to study at CSU
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
TAFE students who have enrolled in or recently completed Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses at TAFE Western, the Canberra Institute of Technology and TAFE NSW Riverina Institute can now win scholarships to further their education at Charles Sturt University (CSU). Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at CSU, Professor Ross Chambers, says applications for the 12 scholarships, each worth $2 500, are available for 2010, with four scholarships available at each institution. “The CSU University Pathway Scholarship Program is part of the University’s ongoing commitment to create strong education pathways and collaboration from TAFE to University in our regional cities and regions,” Professor Chambers said. Acting Institute Director at TAFE Western, Ms Kate Baxter, says each year a number of TAFE Western graduates seek higher qualifications by studying at universities. “These scholarships will provide welcome support and encouragement and expand the opportunities for people in Western NSW to achieve their aspirations,” Ms Baxter said. Applications will close on Friday 27 November, with offers due to be made to successful TAFE students on Friday 11 December.