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O Week at CSU in Wagga Wagga

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga will welcome more than new 850 students next week with a range of academic and social activities to help them settle into university life.

Orientation Week will kick off with some pomp and circumstance during an official Commencement Ceremony at 10am on Monday 20 February at Joyes Hall.

Following a procession of staff in academic gowns and an official welcome to CSU, continuing students will pass on a symbol of learning to a new student from each of CSU's three faculties.

The ceremony will be followed by a colourful Market Day from 11am, under the gum trees near Joyes Hall.

Other O Week highlights include academic sessions, library and laboratory tours, along with social events such as BBQs and live bands. 

O Week student leaders are raising money for the McGrath Foundation in 2017 and will be dressed in pink.

Students will move into their accommodation at CSU in Wagga Wagga from 12.30pm on Saturday 18 February.

Classes for all new and continuing students start on campus from Monday 27 February.

Across the University more than 8 700 students will begin studying at CSU in 2017, 2 800 of those on-campus and nearly 6 000 through CSU online.

CSU hosts parent information Sessions

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is hosting a series of free information sessions in 2017 designed for parents and carers of high school students in regional NSW.  

The Information Nights will provide a one-stop-shop for parents interested in finding out university study options for their children in the years ahead.

They'll be held from 5.30pm to 7.30pm at the Commercial Club Albury on Tuesday 21 February, in Orange Ex-Services Club on Wednesday 22 February, Bathurst Panthers and Wagga Wagga Commercial Club on Thursday 23 February.

Further sessions will be held later in the year in Dubbo, Port Macquarie, Wangaratta, Parkes, Lithgow and Mudgee..

Parents will be able to meet with Student Advisors, ask questions about study options, the many pathways into university, the help available for higher education costs and the benefits of university study.

The Information Nights will also provide details of what parents can expect during Year 12.

The Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will also be present at a number of these events to discuss the UAC admissions process.

Register here for one of the Parent Information Sessions or to find out more information.

A CSU Parent Information booklet to help with the transition to CSU is also available here.  

Further information about studying at CSU is available on the CSU Future Students Facebook page.

Students and buildings grow at CSU in Port Macquarie

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Port Macquarie will welcome more than new 400 students next week with a range of academic and social activities to help them settle into university life.

Orientation Week will kick off with an official Commencement Ceremony at 10am on Monday 20 February in Room 2064/5.

The Ceremony will be followed by a colourful Market Day from 11am on Monday 20 February in the central campus courtyard.

Other O Week highlights include academic sessions, library and laboratory tours, along with social events such as Learn to Surf lessons, trivia nights and BBQs. 

O Week student leaders are raising money for the McGrath Foundation in 2017 and will be dressed in pink.

Lectures and tutorials for all new and continuing students starts at CSU from Monday 27 February.

Across the University more than 8 700 students will begin studying at CSU in 2017, 2 800 of those on-campus and nearly 6 000 through CSU online.

O Week for new students at CSU in Dubbo

A Commencement Ceremony, cultural tours, meet and greets, and a barbeque lunch are all part of the start of Orientation Week (O Week) for more than 90 new students commencing at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo on Tuesday 21 February.

Head of Campus at CSU in Dubbo, Ms Cathy Maginnis (pictured), said O Week allows new students to become familiar with their surroundings and to meet new friends while learning how to navigate the University before classes commence for all students on Monday 27 February.

"O Week plays an important role by allowing students the opportunity to meet academic staff who will be teaching them and familiarise themselves with the campus and their schedules without pressure," Ms Maginnis said.

"I look forward to welcoming new students and their families to the University at the Commencement Ceremony on Tuesday. It marks the start of their degree and the beginning of a journey of lifelong learning. This is cause for celebration and pride for this achievement.

"Enrolments at the University in Dubbo continue to grow, with nursing attracting the largest cohort of new students (30+), followed by social work and teacher education.

"The new-look campus is very student-centric with contemporary learning spaces and furniture, as well as study areas and quiet spaces. We welcome the community to engage and share these spaces with us. There will be a new café and courtyard to relax and socialise in, and new areas for support staff to assist students. The University recognises the need for flexibility to assist with students' busy lives, so a 24/7 area will be available for students to access to assist them with their learning journey.

"I also encourage CSU online students living in and around our campus to use its newly-completed amenities and support staff."

At the Commencement Ceremony, Wiradjuri Elder Uncle John Hill will do the Welcome to Country. There will be brief addresses by the Administrator of Dubbo Regional Council, Mr Michael Kneipp, followed by President of the Dubbo Student Representative Committee and Bachelor of Nursing student Ms Mikaela Dart, and O Week coordinator and Bachelor of Education student Ms Alice Barber.

The CSU in Dubbo O Week schedule is:

Tuesday 21 February

9.30am to 10am Commencement Ceremony, followed by Market Day from 10am to noon, then the Student Representative Council welcome barbeque lunch, and campus tours during the afternoon, a mature age students meet and greet forum, and then ten pin bowling and pizza from 6pm.

Wednesday 22 February

School welcomes, introductions, and courses information sessions throughout the day. In the evening, a trivia night and barbeque from 6pm in the Multipurpose Hall.

Thursday 23 February

More courses information sessions. For nursing students there will be a treasure hunt from 10.45am, and a Q&A session with current students at 2pm. There will be an Open Forum at 3pm, and from 6pm barefoot bowls at the Dubbo Bowling Club.

CSU in Orange welcomes new students for O Week

More than 140 new students will be welcomed to Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange at the start of Orientation Week (O Week) on Monday 20 February.

Head of Campus at CSU in Orange, Dr Heather Robinson, will welcome new students and their families at a Commencement Ceremony at 10am on Monday.

The formal academic Ceremony on Monday will welcome new students to Charles Sturt University in Orange but orientation will continue all week," Dr Robinson said.

"It is an important opportunity for students to settle in to university, find their way around and make friends.

"The experience of university is much more than studying a particular degree; it is about gaining the generic skills and knowledge that can be applied to all areas of life, the friends and colleagues that remain part of a professional journey, and participation in the University and Orange communities.

"I welcome all new students at Charles Sturt University in Orange and encourage them to make the most of this wonderful experience."

The Commencement Ceremony will be followed by Market Day stalls and activities for clubs and local businesses, with academic orientation and social activities throughout the week.

Classes for new and continuing students start on campus on Monday 27 February.

Across the University, more than 8 700 students will begin studying at CSU in 2017, 2 800 of those on-campus and nearly 6 000 through CSU Online.

O Week at CSU mixes facts and fun

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst will welcome more than 700 new students and returning students for the start of 2017 Orientation Week (O Week) on Monday 20 February.

Ms Alexandra Cary, student liaison officer in the University's Office for Students at CSU in Bathurst, said O Week serves two important purposes for new students.

"O Week is a fun week of 'getting to know you' before classes for new and continuing students start on campus on Monday 27 February," Ms Cary said.

"As a traditional annual fixture on the University calendar, O Week is designed to make new students feel at ease and at home and be able to navigate their way around campus and their schedules, and the expectations that come with tertiary study.

"O Week introduces new students to the practical features of University life such as their on-campus accommodation and the dining hall, the location of lecture theatres and their respective Schools and the location of lecturers' offices etc, and it introduces them to their fellow new students."

Other O Week highlights include academic sessions, and library and laboratory tours and a range of social activities.

Across the University, more than 8 700 students will begin studying at CSU in 2017, 2 800 of those on-campus and nearly 6 000 through CSU Online.

O Week social events at CSU in Bathurst:

Monday 20 February

10.30am Commencement Ceremony at CD Blake Auditorium (building 1220, 'the gym')

11.30am to 2pm Market Day on the Library Lawn

7pm Toga Party at the Rafters Bar; $5 entry* from O Week leader tent

Tuesday 21 February

3.30pm Scavenger Hunt on campus; meet at the Library Lawn

8pm Comedy Night – Mug and Kettle Comedy at the Rafters Bar, free entry

Wednesday 22 February

3pm Beach Party at Dining Hall/Towers Lawn

Metro Cinema Movie Night; limited free tickets available from O Week Leader tent

7pm Hawaiian Luau in the Rafters Bar; $5 entry*, tickets available from O Week Leader tent

Thursday 23 February

3pm O Week Fair on the Library Lawn

7pm Moonlight Cinema, on the Library Lawn, with free pizzas

Friday 24 February

2pm Fresher Cup on the Diggings Oval

8pm Dag Night featuring Jellybean Jam at the Rafters Bar; entry - $15* tickets available from O Week leader tent. (*A Weekly Event Ticket available for $20, saving $5.)

CSU ceremony marks start of new journey for students

More than 700 new students, their families and friends will be welcomed to Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst at a Commencement Ceremony on Monday 20 February.

Following an academic procession, Head of Campus at CSU in Bathurst, Associate Professor Chika Anyanwu, will formally welcome the students and guests, telling the students that they are commencing an academic journey that the University hopes they will find both stimulating and fulfilling.

"The University is a community, which forms part of a bigger social, cultural and educational heritage of the City of Bathurst and its surrounds," Professor Anyanwu said. "I encourage new students to not only be active participants in University life, but also to respect and become part of the wider Bathurst community.

"The University provides a vibrant, inclusive, tolerant and supportive environment where students will be intellectually challenged to perform their best.

"Students will also become socially involved in making long-lasting friendships and connections, and they will be culturally stimulated to see the world differently. They will be empathetically aroused to help those less fortunate in our society, and to reflect on their journey as they pursue their dreams."

Professor Anyanwu will stress to new students that they are now part of a privileged group who have been making positive impacts in this community and the nation through academic achievements and participation in a range of civic events and other activities.

Special guests and dignitaries include Wiradyuri Elder Aunty Gloria Rogers; Mayor of Bathurst Regional Council, Councillor Gary Rush; and the Most Reverend Bishop Michael McKenna.

Launch of funding program in Albury for 2017

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga will launch its Community University Partnerships (CUP) program on Monday 13 February with thousands of dollars available to support local organisations and groups.

On Monday 13 February, CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann will launch the 2017 program via video link, which this year will particularly target Indigenous, educational, arts and sporting groups.

Head of CSU in Albury-Wodonga, Dr Jenni Munday, said the CUP grant program, which commenced in 2014, forms an integral part of the University's ongoing commitment to make a positive contribution to its communities.

"This year's CUP program will support the development of regional NSW through direct grants from Charles Sturt University totalling $100 000 to local community groups."

In 2016, CSU provided 103 CUP grants across all its regions.

"We want the young people in our regional communities to aspire as much to higher education as their metropolitan cousins, and this is one way to raise their awareness of what is available on their doorsteps," Dr Munday said.CUP funding applications for the Arts opens on Monday 27 February.

Further information about CUP is available here.

Workshop addresses export opportunities for North Coast agribusinesses

Agribusiness firms on the NSW North Coast that want to make the most of Australia's free trade agreements (FTAs) with China, Japan and Korea can gain more information on opportunities on offer in an education program run by the Charles Sturt University Centre for Customs and Excise Studies.

The program includes a workshop being run next week in Port Macquarie, which concentrates on market opportunities, provides technical training on the regulatory requirements to enter each market, and provides advice on how to best to manage their supply chains, so that producers retain maximum value in their businesses.

The program will be led by CSU senior lecturer Mr Brent Juratowitch, and will run from 9am to 4 pm on Wednesday 15 February at CSU in Port Macquarie, MacInnes Rd, Port Macquarie. He will be accompanied by presenters from the private sector with relevant experience in claiming FTA market benefits.

Mr Juratowitch said topics covered include market selection, market trends, product classification, tariffs and duties, valuation, regulations, supply chain management, and how to participate in Authorised Economic Operator schemes.

"The workshop is part of a six-week program that also includes online business forums, mentoring and tailored advice," he said.

"Once enrolled, a participant can access an online platform containing FTA fact sheets, business guides and other materials. They can then review this material in their own time and can contact presenters with specific questions relating to their business.

"The one-day program is subsidised by the Australian Government and supported by the Export Council of Australia. The full cost to participants is $100 which includes all the materials, workshop, business advice and mentoring. Participants can enroll online inthe FTA program.

CSU research to enhance aged and disability service delivery

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) researcher is working with Accessible Living Options (ALO) in Bathurst to improve services for people who are aged and/or have a disability.

Dr John Rae, a researcher and senior lecturer in health services management in the CSU School of Biomedical Sciences in Bathurst, said his research with ALO comes at an important time in the evolution of services delivery in Australia.

"Aged and disability services in Australia are undergoing massive changes, including aged care reforms and the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The project is timely because creativity at an organisational level is going to be even more important," Dr Rae said.

"This project aims to understand why ALO is so creative, based on the fact that in 2015 they received a Best Practice Award for Innovation in providing frail aged people with a mix of social activities who live in rural, remote and very remote areas. ALO has a philosophy of problem-solving using creativity to overcome obstacles such as isolation and transport issues. As well, their Executive Officer, Ms Cheryl Keogh, recently received a leadership award titled Most Inspirational Women Award 2016.

"In my research I use art. I interview staff or other relevant personnel, make paintings for them and take the artwork back to them to probe deeper. This process works well to discover hidden elements of people's and organisations' creative capacities."

ALO provides services to people who are frail aged or have a disability, and who live in Bathurst and surrounding region, Oberon, Blayney, Greater Lithgow, Kandos, Rylstone, and into the Blue Mountains to Katoomba.

Dr Rae is pictured (second from left) with some of the 10 ALO volunteers he met on Monday 6 February to initiate the research process with ALO.