Archive
Organic waste gets new treatment at CSU in Orange
Tuesday, 15 Mar 2016
A
new program for the collection and treatment of organic waste at Charles Sturt
University (CSU) in Orange is well underway in 2016.
CSU Green spokesperson Ms Alesha Elbourne said the 'CSU Organics' initiative will be extended by a staged approach at each CSU campus as suitable local infrastructure is established.
"This roll-out is more than a trial, as compost collection has been trialled by the University in the past and CSU Green sees a significant need to establish a distinct permanent organic waste collection service," Ms Elbourne said. "Composting organics diverts 58 per cent of waste from landfill and helps to reduce the production of greenhouse gases."
Ms Elbourne said CSU Organics is taking advantage of the opportunity provided by the food and garden waste green bin service established by Orange City Council.
"The University can have the organic waste in the twenty 240-litre organic waste bins collected weekly and processed off-site," Ms Elbourne said. "Organics caddies were installed in staff kitchens in Orange in November 2015, and the students' residences and Banjo's Cafe were set up in time for the start of O Week 2016. The organics waste bins can be filled to no more than half capacity (120 litres) to remain manageable for the waste collection service."
CSU Green plans to establish CSU Organics at CSU in Bathurst over the next year as Bathurst Regional Council brings in its similar organic waste service.
For more information about CSU Organics visit the CSU Green website homepage http://www.csu.edu.au/csugreen/csu-green-home
Technology careers on show
Tuesday, 15 Mar 2016
Regional high school students will hear how
they can take advantage of the growth in technology jobs at a careers
conference at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga.
More than 500 students will take part in the Big Day In, being hosted by CSU and the Australian Computer Society (ACS) Foundation at CSU on Thursday 17 March.
Course Director at CSU's School of Computing and Mathematics, Mr Jason Howarth said, "The demand for information technology workers is expected to increase dramatically, with a recent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers suggesting that up to 44 per cent of Australian jobs, that's 5.1 million jobs, will be affected by computerisation in the next 20 years.
"A recent Australian Government labour market report also predicts strong jobs growth in the areas of computer programming, security, and networking professionals.
"Those trained in science and technology will be best placed to cope with this massive change and this event is a chance for students to hear from leading industry speakers," he said.
Other exhibitors include WiseTech Global, Digital Careers, Westpac Group, Adobe, Tata Consultancy Services and Microsoft along with exhibitors from the Wagga Wagga region.
CSU offers a Bachelor of Computer Science and Bachelor of Information Technology on-campus and online, with specialisations in the areas of programming, systems administration, network engineering, and games programming.
Girinyalanha Aboriginal Nature and Bioscience Park to open
Monday, 14 Mar 2016
A
new bioscience park at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange will be officially
opened by the Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann at 10am on Tuesday 15
March.
The Girinyalanha Aboriginal Nature and Bioscience Park at CSU in Orange is the result of planning and cooperation between the University and the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council.
Short talks on the cultural significance of Girinyalanha, Aboriginal dancers, bush food, poster presentations and photos will contribute to the occasion. Members of the Park Steering Committee will be on hand to answer questions about this wonderful new development on the campus. Morning tea will follow the official opening.
Ghostology the anthology
Monday, 7 Mar 2016
A collection of poems by a Charles Sturt University (CSU) education graduate to be launched this week provides a glimpse of life, journey and death in regional Australia.
Ghostology, an anthology of works from 1990 to 2009 by Mr Craig Dent, showcases poetry and photography from Mr Dent's residencies, publications, exhibitions and music projects, with several funded by the Australia Council.
The book will be officially launched at CSU in Albury-Wodonga on Thursday 10 March by the Head of Campus, Ms Julie Cleary. It will be available in print and in electronic-book format at the launch.
During the opening, CSU education student Laura Vogel will perform a poem, 'Joy of a Million Suns', from Ghostology, which highlights a journey within family. The poem is dedicated to Mr Dent's sister and is based on their upbringing in Thurgoona which was a rural area before Albury grew to include the modern suburb of Thurgoona.
Raised in Thurgoona, Mr Dent has worked in regional creative industries since 1990 in Albury, Dubbo, Southern Riverina and North East Victoria, as well as Canberra. He majored in English in his CSU teaching degree from which he graduated last year, and compiled Ghostology while completing his course.
Mr Dent is now assisting high schools in the Southern Riverina and North East Victoria to provide advanced education in creative writing to their students. He uses Ghostology to inspire students to reach their greatest potentials in writing for their senior studies.
CSU regional arts and culture grants now open
Friday, 4 Mar 2016
Grants
of up to $1,000 are now available to support regional arts and culture
initiatives through Charles Sturt University's (CSU) Community-University Partnerships
(CUP) Community Grants program.
CSU's CUP Rural and Regional Arts and Culture Program is open for applications from Tuesday 1 March until Thursday 31 March 2016.
The small grants program supports regional arts and culture programs including artists in residence, art shows, musical education, talks and lectures, and related activities that encourage engagement by younger people in artistic endeavours.
Previous organisations and projects that have been recipients of a CSU CUP Rural and Regional Arts and Culture Program grant include primary schools hosting local artists, unique art exhibitions, development of art education kits, student film festivals, art and creative writing workshops, dance groups and a music for all school program.
Registered community organisations may apply for a grant under this round. Applications should demonstrate how the activity will support student engagement with learning and further education.
Estimated funding for the CUP Rural and Regional Arts and Culture Program is up to $25,000 across all CSU campus communities. Guidelines and the online application are available from the CSU website.
Future of speech pathology in regional Australia
Friday, 4 Mar 2016The future of speech pathology services in regional Australia is the discussion topic for a public forum to be hosted by Charles Sturt University (CSU) on Tuesday 8 March.
Titled a ‘Conversation about the future of speech pathology’, panel members have been drawn from various domains of speech pathology practice in Albury-Wodonga including CSU, Albury Wodonga Health, disability services, and private practice.
The forum is an opportunity for public discussion that will become part of the national Speech Pathology Australia project, ‘Speech Pathology 2030 – making futures happen’, which aims to guide the profession for the next 15 years.
Event organiser Dr Chris Plant said the discussion aims to address the aspirations, dreams, concerns, and goals for the future of the speech pathology profession, and will include local clinicians and CSU students enrolled in the University’s speech pathology degree.
To attend the event from 5.30 to 8pm at CSU in Albury-Wodonga, please register here.
Students challenged in science and engineering knowledge
Monday, 29 Feb 2016A touring event involving Charles Sturt University (CSU)
scientific and engineering academics will challenge the scientific and
engineering skills of around 1 000 school students across southern and central
NSW in March.
The national Science
and Engineering Challenge, provides fun, hands-on activities for Year 10
high school students across Australia to consider studying science, engineering
and mathematics at university.
Organised in partnership with communities, Rotary clubs,
universities and sponsors, four challenge days will include CSU scientists and
engineers who will guide student teams in Bowral, Dubbo, Young and Wagga Wagga
through a series of mathematical and scientific challenges. The day-long events
highlight the importance and fun of science and engineering.
New Head of Campus for CSU in Bathurst
Friday, 26 Feb 2016
A
new Head of Campus has been appointed at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst.
Mr Peter Fraser, Director of the CSU Office of Government and Community Relations, yesterday announced the appointment of Associate Professor Chika Anyanwu (pictured) as the new Head of Campus.
Professor Anyanwu is currently the Head of the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries. He will step down from this role in April, and will thereafter hold the appointment of Head of Campus concurrently with his substantive position as Associate Professor of Media in the School.
"I congratulate Professor Anyanwu on his appointment and look forward to working with him in this role," Mr Fraser said. "His considerable experience, particularly in the fields of media and mass communication, and his networking skills, will benefit the University in extending and developing connections with the Bathurst community."
Professor Anyanwu said it was a privilege to be appointed to the role of Head of Campus.
"As a University with the goal to build regional capacity, I want to promote the values embedded in the principle of 'Yindyamarra Winhanganha'; that is, 'the wisdom of respectfully knowing how to live well in a world worth living in'," Professor Anyanwu said.
"This is the philosophy at the heart of University's approach to education, and I will work in this role to build our local economies through knowledge creation and the development of creative and intellectual capital 'for the public good'."
Mr Fraser also acknowledged and thanked former Head of Campus in Bathurst Professor Jo-Anne Reid for her leadership and work in progressing the University's engagement and community relations program in 2015.
When parasites and politics meet
Friday, 26 Feb 2016Parasites and public health will be a key point of discussion when a Charles Sturt University (CSU) scientist meets federal politicians in Canberra next week.
Senior
lecturer in veterinary parasitology at CSU's School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences,
Dr Shokoofeh Shamsi is one of 200 scientists invited to take part in the 15th
annual Science
Meets Parliament on Tuesday 1 March and Wednesday 2 March.
The event aims to build links between scientists, politicians and policy makers to inform discussion on scientific issues that underpin Australia's economic, social and environmental well-being.
"I'm interested in parasites that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Therefore I'm aiming to highlight significance of research on parasites in terms of public health and the sustainable growth of Australian industries and food products," said Dr Shamsi.
"Regional universities, like Charles Sturt University, play an integral role in producing graduates with the skills to deal with such an important issue."
Over the two-day event scientists will meet with Members of Parliament and take part in professional development to help them engage with the policy making process.
Dr Shamsi has been nominated by the Australian Society of Parasitology to attend the event.
CSU poet launches new volume in three locations
Thursday, 25 Feb 2016
A
second book of verse by Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic and poet Mr
David Gilbey (pictured) will be launched in three locations – Sydney, Wagga Wagga, and
Melbourne – in February and March.
The volume, Pachinko Sunset, was written by Mr Gilbey an adjunct senior lecturer in English at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga.
"Writing and publishing poetry can be seen — financially-speaking — as a heroic task, fuelled primarily by passion and a fine sense of irony," Mr Gilbey said. "That's why the support of readers is so important!
"My writing is both influenced by, and influences, my teaching English at Charles Sturt University. So whatever I'm teaching, from Beowulf through Paradise Lost to Patrick White and the literature of 'drugs and alcohol', for example the Beat poets of the USA, the 19th century hash poets from France, and the 'grunge' writers of urban Australia, it all affects my writing. I'm particularly influenced by confessional writers such as Robert Lowell and Sylvia Plath, and, among Australian poets, Kenneth Slessor, Les Murray, Kate Llewellyn, to name but three from many."
Like many contemporary poets Mr Gilbey writes mainly a kind of 'free verse' in which 'the line is the unit of semantic meaning', rather than more traditional forms of rhyming, rhythmically regular stanzas.
Pachinko Sunset is published by Island Press, one of the oldest surviving Australian poetry presses, and he is one of the five 2016 Island Press poets.
The Pachinko Sunset launches and readings are:
Sydney, from 2.30pm Saturday 27 February, to be launched by Dr Peter Kirkpatrick at the Friend in Hand Hotel (upstairs), 58 Cowper St, Glebe;
Wagga Wagga, from 2pm Saturday 5 March, to be launched by Dr Lachlan Brown at the Wagga Wagga City Library, at the Civic Centre, corner of Baylis and Morrow Streets; and
Melbourne, from 2pm Saturday 19 March, with a reading at the Dan O'Connell Hotel (The Home of Poets) 225 Canning Street, Carlton.