Archive
Appreciating Riverina veterinary practices
Tuesday, 20 Oct 2009
The work of veterinary practices throughout the Riverina in supporting the veterinary science program at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Wagga Wagga will be recognised by the University this week. The support includes hosting CSU students for practicum placements during the past five years. “This contribution has made an enormous difference to the development of these students as skilled veterinarians for rural and regional Australia,” said Head of the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Professor Kym Abbott. As thanks for this vital contribution to the veterinary science program, the School will host the inaugural Practitioner Appreciation Day (PAD) from 5pm on Tuesday 20 October. “The partnership that has been formed between the University and practicing veterinarians is highly valued by staff and students at Charles Sturt University,” said Professor Abbott. During PAD, local veterinarians will be able to inspect the veterinary science facilities, including the Veterinary Clinical Centre, the new Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the University’s cattle handling facilities. Academics will also deliver presentations on new developments in the veterinary science field, including new antibiotics and analgesics.
Forum to appraise VET in high schools
Tuesday, 20 Oct 2009A public forum to be held in Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 28 October will explore the benefits of Vocational Education and Training (VET) in schools and the relevance of Certificate I and II qualifications in the workforce. VET provides an opportunity for high school students to commence industry qualifications while still at school, and provides an important link between the school-based qualification and employment. A panel, including representatives from the School of Education at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Wagga Wagga, will provide an insight into research and teaching in the area. They will also examine whether VET qualifications have made the transition from school to work smoother for students. “VET in schools provides a pathway from school to work that allows students to focus their study on a specific vocation quite early in their education,” said Mr Paul Galloway from the School of Education. “It is interesting to note that VET in schools can also develop a strong study philosophy, and many students continue on to tertiary study.”
Collaboration on water for future gain
Tuesday, 20 Oct 2009
The International Centre for Water for Food Security (IC Water) at Charles Sturt University (CSU) will host a seminar by the head of Murrumbidgee Irrigation this week as part of its mission to work closely with key stakeholders to find solutions to national and international water problems. Murrumbidgee Irrigation Managing Director, Mr Brett Tucker, will present Murrumbidgee Irrigation's take on the current water situation in Australia: Reinventing century old schemes at Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 21 October. Mr Tucker said there’s little doubt that the face of irrigation in the Murray-Darling Basin has changed with the prolonged drought, combined with changes to climate patterns, leading to unprecedented low water availability. “In this environment the key challenges for Murrumbidgee Irrigation include the integrated management of water and energy, and developing effective strategies for mitigating diversification and investment risk,” he said. IC Water is leading a SAM-ET project, funded by National Water Commission, in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area to map out actual water, soil moisture and land use and land cover classification using high spatial resolution satellite imagery.
CSU honours talented Leeton school student
Tuesday, 20 Oct 2009
A special presentation during a Leeton High School assembly on Tuesday 27 October will honour Year 11 student Mr Micheil Smith for his selection for Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Gifted and Talented program run by the CSU Faculty of Business. The Gifted and Talented program gives high school students an opportunity to study a university subject. Attending the assembly in Leeton will be Associate Professor John Louis and Mr Anthony Chan from the University’s Faculty of Business, and Ms Roxanne Locke, Manager of the Division of Student Administration at CSU. Mr Smith is studying the subject Introduction to Data Communications through CSU at Wagga Wagga.
Top honour for agricultural scientist
Tuesday, 29 Sep 2009An edible oils researcher with Charles Sturt University (CSU), Dr Rodney Mailer, has been named the winner of the 2009 Farrer Memorial Medal. Industry & Investment NSW Director-General Dr Richard Sheldrake presented the prestigious award to Dr Mailer at the 28th International Society for Fat Research Congress dinner in Sydney on Monday 28 September. Dr Richard Sheldrake said Dr Mailer’s award recognises his outstanding contribution to edible oils research in Australia, in particular his work on canola and olive oil. "Over the last 30 years Dr Mailer has become internationally recognised for his work on variety breeding and quality testing," Dr Sheldrake said. "Dr Mailer has been involved with the release of 22 canola cultivars, which have at times made up 50 per cent of Australia’s $600 million canola crop. His studies on olive oil quality, harvest timing, irrigation and storage have earned Dr Mailer international recognition for his major contribution to the development of the Australian olive industry.” Dr Mailer is an Adjunct Professor with the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences at CSU at Wagga Wagga. He is currently a Principal Research Scientist with Industry & Investment NSW and the E H Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation.
CSU expands business on the border
Monday, 28 Sep 2009Current and future professionals in accounting, business management and computing can continue to receive their degree qualifications on the Border with the establishment of three new schools in Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Faculty of Business. After a recent faculty restructure, the three new schools, which encompass CSU’s five main campuses, will have staff on the Albury-Wodonga Campus and will continue to offer business and computing courses on campus. Head of the School of Business, Associate Professor Grant O’Neill, said the faculty was strengthening existing programs in accounting, finance, marketing, management, and information technology. “We also saw our first group of South Korean students start our Bachelor of Business program and fully expect to see this cohort substantially increase in 2010. We will also offer our Master of Business and Master of Business Administration programs on campus in Albury next year,” Professor O’Neill said. The new Associate Dean (Administration) based at Thurgoona, Associate Professor John Atkinson, said the expansion demonstrated the commitment by the Faculty of Business to provide high quality teaching and research opportunities to students and the Albury-Wodonga community.
Growth at a climate cost
Tuesday, 22 Sep 2009
A leading public intellectual and author will be in Wagga Wagga on Tuesday 22 September to pose probing questions about climate change and economic growth. The free public lecture by Professor Clive Hamilton, AM, Charles Sturt University Vice-Chancellor’s Chair and Professor of Public Ethics at the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics (CAPPE) will examine Australia’s pre-occupation with economic growth and question whether the need to halt climate change will be sacrificed for short term prosperity. Professor Hamilton founded ‘think-tank’ The Australia Institute and was its executive director for 14 years until 2008. He has published widely, including books Growth Fetish (2003), Scorcher: The Dirty Politics Of Climate Change (2007) and more recently, The Freedom Paradox (2008), a look at the meaning of freedom and morality in the modern world. In 2009, Professor Hamilton was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for services to public debate and policy development, particularly in the fields of climate change, sustainability and societal trends. Professor Hamilton’s public lecture, ‘Growth Fetishism and the Climate Crisis’ is hosted by Charles Sturt University and Wagga Wagga City Council.
Early childhood takes first steps in Ontario
Tuesday, 15 Sep 2009
September has seen the start of a new course at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Ontario, Canada, that aims to increase access to early childhood specialist degrees in Ontario. Twenty-three students were welcomed into the new Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies at the Burlington campus, which was developed in partnership with faculty from Sheridan and Mohawk Colleges. The program director, Dr Pat Dickinson, says, “The students, who have completed a two-year Early Childhood Diploma at an Ontario college with a B average, can now complete the four year Honours Bachelor’s degree with two years of full-time study with CSU. As with the existing Bachelor of Primary Education Studies already offered at CSU in Ontario, this course has both Australian and Canadian faculty offering broad experiences to these students.” The course is one of only a few available in Ontario which provide early childhood educators with full credit for their two year diploma. CSU will accept more students into this program in January 2010.
CSU leads at Tour de Timor
Tuesday, 8 Sep 2009
Staff and students from Charles Sturt University (CSU) successfully flew the flag at the inaugural cycling race Tour de Timor held recently in Timor Leste (East Timor). CSU student Mr Neil Van der Pleog from Mount Beauty in Victoria won the 450-kilometre race around the country. CSU students and staff also provided extensive physiotherapy services for competitors throughout the tough event. Started by President Dr Jose Ramos-Horta in the capital Dili, the five day event took cyclists through the nine regions of Timor before returning to Dili. At the hilliest stage of the race, riders climbed to 1 850 metres. Two third year Bachelor of Physiotherapy students Mr Tom Bidstrup and Ms Rachael McLeod and physiotherapy lecturer Mr Tim Retchford from the School of Community Health at CSU at Albury-Wodonga provided physiotherapy services for the 350 competitors. Many of the riders were international participants who were attracted to Timor Leste for the gruelling US$75 000 event. “The Tour de Timor coincided with the celebration of the 10 years since East Timor's independence vote,” said Mr Retchford. “Locals lined Dili’s streets up to 10 deep to cheer the riders as they crossed the finish line.” Gifted designer honoured
Tuesday, 8 Sep 2009
An artist and Charles Sturt University (CSU) student has been named as a finalist in Australia’s richest design prize. PhD student Mr Rohan Nicol from Wagga Wagga is one of 10 finalists in the prestigious Bombay Sapphire Design Discovery Award. With his entry, Peppered Sunlight Mr Nicol will compete for the first prize of a $30 000 grant and a trip to Milan to attend the Salone del Mobile furniture fair in April 2010. The prize is dedicated to recognising and rewarding excellence in design, improving and promoting awareness of design and improving the commercial success of talented Australians. Peppered Sunlight is a large pendant light inspired by ‘dappled light that filters through trees’. Through the School of Visual and Performing Arts at CSU at Wagga Wagga, Mr Nichol is researching a financially sustainable model of studio-based craft and design practice by engaging with the Australian manufacturing industry in regional Australia. Read more here.