Archive

POETs gather for final meeting

An international research team investigating how children and their parents handle starting or changing school is meeting for the eighth and final time in Albury next week.

Hosted by Charles Sturt University’s education professors Bob Perry and Sue Docket, the Pedagogies of Educational Transitions (POET) group, with researchers from Australia, Iceland, New Zealand Scotland and Sweden, will share research, policy and practice about the transition to school for all involved. The group will be officially welcomed to Albury on Tuesday evening 16 February by Albury City at the MAMA regional art gallery in Dean St, Albury.

On Wednesday 17 February, winners will be announced in the POETry competition which reflects on the entrants’ own experiences in starting school. POETry has attracted entries from as far afield as Scotland and Iran and all entries will be published in the next edition of Studio, an Australian poetry and fiction literary journal, which will also be launched at the announcement.

The 30 researchers will have the chance to participate in the City2City Walk Run before moving to Canberra next week for a large international conference on transition in early education.

Parent information sessions at CSU

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga will host an information evening on Wednesday 17 February for parents of Higher School Certificate (HSC) students.

The session aims to help equip parents with information about the process of applying to study at university.

Hosted by CSU Prospective Student Advisor Mr Andrew Connell, the event will cover topics such as how the university application process works; ways parents can support their child through the application process; where to find information; and important dates.

The event will be held from 6pm at the Commercial Club at 77 Gurwood Street in Wagga Wagga. Parents can register on 1800 334 733 or at the door.

Similar parent information evenings are being held at CSU in Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Orange and Port Macquarie.

Chemistry Days at CSU

The National Life Sciences Hub (NaLSH) at Charles Sturt University (CSU) will take centre stage next week for regional high school students.

The annual HSC Chemistry Days will be held from Monday 15 to Thursday 18 February in the University's science laboratories.

More than 200 Year 12 school students from throughout the Riverina will participate in hands-on activities to enhance their understanding of the HSC chemistry syllabus.

The students will perform titrations, undertake pH measurements and atomic absorption spectroscopy, interview CSU scientists and host a 'magic show'.

Chemistry discipline leader Dr Celia Barril from the University's School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences said, "The HSC Chemistry Days are organised by Charles Sturt University and the Eastern Riverina Science Teachers Association (ERSTA).

"It's a great opportunity to help students who do not have access to the required material in their school. Students also conduct interviews with Charles Sturt University scientists and discuss study and career paths," Dr Barril said.

CSU offers a Bachelor of Science on campus at Wagga Wagga or by CSU Online. Read more here.

Research grants open to regional communities

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is encouraging community organisations to apply for grants of up to $2 500 as part of the Rural and Regional Community Initiated Research Program to address their needs for expert assistance. The small grants program is part of the University’s Community-University Partnerships (CUP) program and is open for applications until Monday 29 February 2016.

The Rural and Regional Community Initiated Research Program provides registered community organisations in CSU’s regions with the opportunity to initiate a research project of relevance to their community or region.

Applications involving Indigenous community organisations or Indigenous issues will be given particular consideration. The project must involve a CSU researcher, academic, or postgraduate or honours student and lead to a publication, report or submission.

Estimated funding for the Rural and Regional Community Initiated Research Program is up to $25,000 across all CSU campus communities. Guidelines and the online application are available from the CSU website.

Media note: CSU Heads of Campus are available for interview regarding the CSU CUP Rural and Regional Community Initiated Research Program. Please contact CSU Media to arrange an interview with your local Head of Campus.

CSU study advisers to visit capital cities and regional towns

Charles Sturt University (CSU) study advisers will visit cities and towns across Australia in the coming weeks to provide in-person assistance to its online students.

CSU Outreach team manager Mr Peter Greening (pictured) said, "The University's outreach visits are free for current Charles Sturt University students studying online, and  are designed to assist them to be  successful in their studies. We hold both group and one-to-one sessions with students to provide advice and guidance about online learning, orientation to the University, effective reading skills, note taking, time management, and assignment writing."

Student liasion officers Ms Diane Middleton, Ms Lois Watt and Ms Amisha Gaundar from the Outreach Team will visit towns from Monday 8 February until Wednesday 23 March. The full schedule of towns and visit dates can be found on the CSU Outreach Team website, and to book a place at an event, students are asked to please register on http://bit.ly/csu-outreach or email deoutreach@csu.edu.au.

Registered nurses wanted, now and in the future

A special evening event at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo on Wednesday 10 February aims to promote the recruitment, education and professional development of nurses in the region.

The School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health at CSU invites nurses and prospective nursing students to a free information evening to learn about what is involved in joining like-minded academics in the education of undergraduate registered nurses.

Lecturer in nursing Ms Maryanne Podham said, "We're looking for nurses who are interested to promote the profession of nursing and assist in the education of the next generation of nurses. We're also keen to advise nurses about how they can advance their own careers by undertaking postgraduate study with Charles Sturt University."

Ms Podham noted that while CSU was well-established in Dubbo for many years, many people in the region did not know that nursing was one of the main disciplines that could be studied at the University in Dubbo.

"We want to ensure that nurses from the region have long and fulfilling professional careers in the health services in western NSW," Ms Podham said. "I encourage anyone interested in nursing to attend the information evening."

The free event is from 6pm to 8pm Wednesday 10 February in Room 220 at CSU, Tony McGrane Place, Dubbo. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information or to register your interest to attend please phone Ms Podham on (02) 6885 7328 or email mpdham@csu.edu.au

Get moving for healthy ageing

Getting older people moving more and falling less is the motivation for new Charles Sturt University (CSU) research in Orange.

Lecturer at CSU's School of Biomedical Sciences Dr James Wickham aims to recruit 300 people aged over 60 years old, to take part in his 'Coaching for Healthy Ageing' research which will use social groups, health coaching and personally negotiated physical goals for each participant.

"Research has shown that physical activity, particularly that which challenges balance, significantly reduces incidence of falls and the use of social groups for recruitment could be used as a motivational tool to encourage everyone in the group to keep up their physical activity levels particularly as they meet regularly," said Dr Wickham.

"We require 30 social groups of around ten people, to take part in the trial which will monitor their physical activity and any falls they may have over a 12-month period."

The research is focused on Orange but social groups from across the Central West interested in being part of the trial are encouraged to contact Dr Wickham via email.

Chinese delegation at CSU in Wagga

A Memorandum of Understanding will be signed in Wagga Wagga on Monday 14 December between Charles Sturt University (CSU) and a Chinese university to explore opportunities to work together in the equine field.

A six-member senior delegation from Qingdao Agricultural University (QAU) will hold talks with key academic staff from CSU's School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences.

They'll tour the University's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Veterinary Clinical Centre and equine facilities.

The delegation will also attend a formal graduation lunch hosted by Head of Campus at CSU in Wagga Wagga, Ms Miriam Dayhew.

Offering undergraduate programs in agricultural and animal sciences, QAU is in southeast Shandong province.

Pro Vice-Chancellor (International Education and Partnerships), Professor Heather Cavanagh said, "We will discuss how Charles Sturt University and one of our TAFE partners, Goulburn Ovens TAFE can offer an integrated equine science course for Chinese students to study in Australia, as well as short term programs.

"It is an appropriate time for the delegation to visit Wagga Wagga as the University celebrates student achievement and success with our graduation ceremonies.

"While initial discussions will focus on equine sciences, there are several opportunities for cooperation between the two universities to explore given alignment of our study areas and Charles Sturt University's record of delivering high quality education in China."

New pastures for Head of CSU vet school

The new-year will bring a new challenge for Professor Nick Sangster who is moving on from Charles Sturt University (CSU) where he has been Head of the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences.

Professor Sangster joined CSU in 2006 and has been the Head of the School since 2011.

"Charles Sturt University continues to deliver on our mission of providing rural practitioners and over 90 per cent of graduates are still in rural practice," said Professor Sangster. "Several owning their own businesses and offering high quality veterinary services.

"Charles Sturt University has sustained the top rating amongst Australian vet degrees for student satisfaction, graduate satisfaction and quality of teaching. Employment rates are well over 90 per cent and starting salaries amongst the highest.

"The research profile has also developed and staff and graduate students are engaged in a wide range of research including in production animals, wildlife and translational research.

"The teaching hospitals continue to service the Riverina with high quality referral service and laboratory services to practitioners.

"In 2015 the School launched the Bachelor of Veterinary Technology degree, the first of its type in Australia. It provides career development opportunities for vet nurses and provide a trained paraveterinary workforce for Australia," said Professor Sangster.

Professor Sangster will move to Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) in January 2016 as Program Manager for Grassfed Productivity.

CSU CUP grants to be presented in Bathurst

Community groups from the Bathurst region will be presented with Charles Sturt University (CSU) Community-University Partnership (CUP) grants for 2016 at a reception this week.

Head of Campus at CSU in Bathurst Professor Jo-Anne Reid (pictured) will welcome representatives of a range of community groups to the presentation ceremony in the Council Room at The Grange at CSU on Tuesday 8 December.

CUP grants worth a total of $14 250 have been awarded to 15 schools and organisations under three programs; the Regional Schools Development Program, the Regional Sports Development Program, and the Regional Arts and Culture Development Program.

Professor Reid said, "We look forward to welcoming the grant recipients to the campus in Bathurst, and hearing more about the projects the University is supporting. It is always to good meet the representatives and to put faces to names and projects so we can develop practical relationships with schools and community organisations."

By the end of 2015 an additional $2 577 will have been provided to schools and sporting groups in the Bathurst region through the Healthy, Active, Sporting Regions Program.

Recipients attending the CSU CUP grants reception have been asked to share brief stories about their successful project application. They will then receive a grant presentation certificate from Professor Reid, followed by afternoon tea.