Archive
Scholarships open to Dubbo students
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003Dubbo residents interested in studying at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in 2009 are encouraged to investigate an opportunity to receive one of 20 new scholarships that encourage joint studies between the University and TAFE colleges. The CSU Rural Learning Partnership Scholarships, each worth $2 000 for one year, are aimed at full-time students in need of financial assistance who are completing courses such as the Bachelor of Social Work in Dubbo. Students with disabilities, from non-English speaking backgrounds, or who are Indigenous are especially encouraged to apply for the competitive grants which can pay for accommodation, tuition fees, books and computers. CSU’s Access and Work Student Services Division manager, Ms Vicki Pitcher, said the Rural Learning Partnership Scholarships aim to redress some of the current financial inequities of tertiary study in regional Australia by helping students with genuine financial difficulties. For more information about these scholarships can be found here.
New CSU Bathurst residences open for inspection
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Bathurst is giving staff, prospective students and their parents the opportunity to inspect the new 200-bed student residences on Thursday 27 November. The on campus residences will be completed in early 2009. On completion, 10 modular concrete and corrugated iron buildings will each house 20 students in self-catered accommodation. The development will include ‘open plan’ kitchens and living areas in each block, with two buildings enclosing an open courtyard. The corrugated iron, which is light, strong, adaptable and durable, shields the internal concrete walls from the summer heat, enabling the buildings to maintain a more constant temperature without the use of expensive air conditioning.
Adviser to government on Murray Darling Basin
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
A Charles Sturt University (CSU) expert in the management and restoration of aquatic ecosystems has been appointed to advise the Rudd government on the use of water purchased to restore the rivers and wetlands of the Murray Darling Basin. Associate Professor Robyn Watts is one of a panel of scientific experts appointed to the Environmental Water Scientific Advisory Committee by the federal Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong. The committee will provide advice on setting environmental watering priorities, monitoring the benefits of environmental flows, and identifying knowledge gaps. Associate Professor Watts is a Principal Researcher in the University’s Institute for Land, Water and Society where she researches biodiversity and connectivity in aquatic ecosystems and the ecological responses to flow regimes in regulated rivers. She also teaches river ecology and restoration at CSU at Albury-Wodonga.
Open door for new student accommodation
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
The doors to new student residential accommodation under construction at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Wagga Wagga will be open to staff and students for inspection on Wednesday 26 November. The work, being undertaken by Joss Construction, will provide 200 new on campus beds for CSU students in the 2009 academic year, and is part of a large scale project for 600 new on campus beds across CSU campuses that will expand the range of student accommodation at the University to about 3 000 beds. Each block of 10 modular concrete and corrugated iron buildings will provide self-catered accommodation, with open plan kitchens and living areas, dedicated study facilities and high quality data networks. The new residences are clad with corrugated iron, which is light, strong, adaptable and durable, shields the internal concrete walls from the summer heat, enabling the buildings to maintain a more constant temperature without the use of air conditioning. Rainwater collected from roofs will be used to flush toilets.
Landholders get say on incentives
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003Landholders in the Greater Hume Shire of southern NSW can state the land management incentives that they prefer - such as fixed grants, rate relief, stewardship payments for existing practices or tenders - in a study being conducted by Charles Sturt University (CSU). Social researcher with CSU’s Institute for Land, Water and Society, Mr Jonathon Howard, said the study was the first attempt in Australia to map landholder preferences for different types of land management incentives across the landscape. “Government agencies are looking for more effective ways to achieve environmental outcomes,” Mr Howard said. “Catchment management authorities usually provide incentives through fixed grants or tenders but rarely ask people on the land what they actually need. This survey allows landholders to have their say on what sorts of programs should be available to them.” The study will help catchment authorities select the best incentive programs to address particular environmental issues. Landholders in the Greater Hume Shire are encouraged to complete a survey they will receive in the post during December. The study is in association with the Murray Catchment Management Authority, CSIRO and the Council.
Outwitting one of agriculture's worst weeds
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
The summer perennial weed Silverleaf Nightshade is estimated to cost agriculture millions of dollars every year in reduced crop and pasture production. Researchers at the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, an alliance between Charles Sturt University (CSU) and the NSW Department of Primary Industries, are half way through a project to look for innovative solutions to tackle the invasive weed. At a field day to be held on Thursday 4 December, Dr Rex Stanton will speak at a Leeton trial site about the effective chemical control of Silverleaf Nightshade. At a second site at Narrandera, he will discuss the use of mulch crops in suppressing the weed. The trial sites were established to investigate the role that competitive crops and herbicides can play in challenging the weed’s dominance.
Fresh input into research
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Institute for Land, Water and Society has welcomed three new members to its Advisory Board who will support the Institute’s development as an internationally recognised provider of research in social and environmental sustainability. Ms Samantha Edmonds from the Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS) has joined Dr Shayne Williams, Senior Lecturer in Indigenous Education Studies at CSU, and PhD student Ms Anna Lukasiewicz, as the new appointments. The new board appointees reflect the diversity of ILWS members and research. Ms Edmonds, who is NCOSS’ Deputy Director, Policy and Communications, will meet with ILWS researchers on Wednesday 10 December at CSU at Wagga Wagga. She will speak about social services policy and needs, and discuss research collaborations with ILWS members.
Another honour for photography student
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003Ms Kate Lewis, who was one of two Charles Sturt University (CSU) photography students to be short-listed in the National Photographic Portrait Prize 2009, has been honoured by having a second portrait short-listed in another major national competition. Ms Lewis’ portrait entitled ‘Paul’ has been listed as a finalist in the 18 years and over category for the 2008 Australian Human Rights Commission Photo Competition. The winner will be announced on Wednesday 10 December. Ms Lewis this year completed the Bachelor of Arts (Photography) in the School of Visual and Performing Arts at CSU at Wagga Wagga. The 2008 graduating class of the photography program are currently showcasing their works in the exhibition Solo at the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery.
International interest in book for nurse managers
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003With the launch of his new book Nurse Managers, A Guide to Practice (2nd Edition) on Thursday 11 December, Charles Sturt University (CSU) Associate Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery and Senior Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing, Dr Andrew Crowther, is thrilled that the United State Joint Commission has already ordered 500 copies. The Joint Commission is the predominant body for standard setting and accreditation in health care in the USA. “The text offers nurse managers practical advice and tools in order to work effectively, so it’s rewarding when a group like this verifies your work by ordering so many copies,” Dr Crowther said. A collaboration of experienced international authors has produced this innovative resource to address the range of problems facing nurse managers. “The book offers contemporary perspectives on the variety of daily issues that confront the nurse manager during the early stages of his or her managerial career.”
Bonus entry points to study at CSU
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
For the first time, Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Regional Bonus Point (RBP) scheme is available to school leavers in regional areas across Australia. “The scheme has been open to school leavers who studied their tertiary entry exam in regional or remote schools in NSW, Queensland and Victoria,” said CSU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Ian Goulter. “Now school leavers from other states and territories will automatically receive the Regional Bonus Points.” The RBP program is an equity program targeting regional youth. The program offers an additional five points to the university admission score. “CSU recognises that higher education participation rates are quite often lower in regional, non-metropolitan areas so the RBP program gives regional students easier access to courses at any of our campuses.” More information on the RBP scheme is available here.