Archive
CSU student support team to visit Wilcannia
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003The Charles Sturt University (CSU) Regional and Remote Learning Support Team will visit Wilcannia on Tuesday 24 April to meet and provide support to CSU distance education students in the area. Team manager Mr James Brann said, “While this visit aims to provide student support in our partnership with the CSU Teaching Education in Communities (TEC) program, we are keen to meet all Charles Sturt University distance education students living in the area. Our team members have all studied by distance education, and with that practical knowledge we aim to enhance our distance education students’ experience of their courses and their prospects for successful completion. After our session with the students, we will host a community barbeque to which we have invited community leaders to meet the team and learn more about the University’s programs.” The student support session will run from 10.30am to 1pm at Wilcannia Central School and will be followed by a community barbeque at 2pm. The CSU Regional and Remote Learning Support Team has already visited and provided support to CSU distance education students in Parkes, Jindabyne, Cooma, Moree, Bourke, Broken Hill, Griffith, and Mudgee.
Recognition of Dubbo students' hard work
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo will celebrate its scholarship and prizes ceremony on Tuesday 8 May, awarding 19 scholarships and 16 awards to students attending CSU in Dubbo. “The calibre of applications for the scholarships is increasing in standard,” said CSU Head of Campus in Dubbo, Dr Beverley Moriarty. “This event is a wonderful opportunity to recognise the hard work students put into their studies and to congratulate those who are achieving their goals. One standout student this year is Ms Helen Hines who is undertaking a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary). She is receiving the Rotary Club of Dubbo scholarship and three academic achievement awards.” CSU students can benefit financially thanks to more than 40 scholarships on offer every year in Dubbo. A large number of these scholarships are funded by individuals or organisations that hold a strong belief in supporting the University and its students.
New glasshouses on show at Australasian conference
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
Recent years have seen a rise across Australasia in the construction of new glasshouses and other controlled growth chambers for plant research to replace outdated facilities from the 1950s and 1960s. Scientists, technicians and managers involved in plant biology research in controlled environments will meet at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga from Tuesday 1 May to Thursday 3 May. The A will hold its 6th conference to discuss new facilities in Australia and overseas, the latest technology supporting glasshouses or controlled environments including lighting, electronic controls and robotics, along with the latest research. The conference is being held at the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences, at CSU in Wagga Wagga, where preparations are underway to open a $45 million National Life Sciences Hub in June, which includes a glasshouse complex for advanced research into the interactions between soil, climate and plant biology, and pathology. “It is important to know how plants interact with the climate, particularly the changing climate, in relation to productivity. These facilities are a key part of the research infrastructure required to investigate such interactions,” said Senior Lecturer in Viticulture Dr Dennis Greer. The conference’s keynote speaker is Professor Bruce Bugbee from the Department of Plants, Soils and Biometeorology at Utah State University in the USA.
Science hero champions Australian rivers
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
A Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic has been named one of four heroes of science in a new book promoting various fields of science to Australian school students. Former CSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Kath Bowmer, has been recognised for her work in improving the management of water flows through inland rivers to improve water quality, particularly in the Murray Darling Basin. Her work was particularly important in addressing the blue-green algae scares in the Darling River during the 1990s, and in developing Australia’s first water sharing plan along the Murrumbidgee River in the 2000s. “The books have been written to encourage children to take an interest in science. I was amazed by being included in a book on the Heroes of Australian Science, and slightly astounded when I saw that the other three scientists featured in the book included former Australian of the Year and leading environmentalist Professor Tim Flannery.” The book was written by Ms Jane Fitzpatrick and published by Macmillan Education.
CSU students get into the action at Newton's Nation
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
Charles Sturt University (CSU) has signed on as a sponsor of the 2012 Newton’s Nation gravity sport festival at Bathurst’s Mount Panorama from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 April after its students gained valuable work experience at previous Newton’s events. Ms Cheryl Howell, manager of market development in the CSU Division of Marketing, said, “Newton’s Nation provides a supervised, safe environment for young people to have fun and compete at an elite level. As part of our commitment to regional communities, Charles Sturt University saw an opportunity to support an event for young people that also features national and international competitors. Part of the sponsorship includes the opportunity for a number of our public relations, communications and marketing students to gain practical experience working with the organisers in the lead up to and during the event.” In addition, Mr Pat Sproule, lecturer in TV production and Associate Head of the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries in Wagga Wagga, is taking CSU’s outside broadcast (OB) van , three staff and 15 students to Newton’s Nation to video the various skateboard, street luge and other downhill wheeled competitions, as well as the BMX bike events and bands that are performing over the weekend. “This is an excellent opportunity for our TV production students because it’s technically more advanced than other outside broadcasts we’ve done,” Mr Sproule said. “We are required to film approximately 1.5 kilometres of track and need specialised technical assistance to enable us to live-stream footage to a large screen for spectators at the top of the Mount as well as to YouTube and iiNet channels. The footage will also be used by other ‘extreme sports’ TV shows.”
Still time to realise the teaching dream
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Ontario teaching graduate Mr Chad Pilon can’t wait to take to the classroom. Mr Pilon, who uses a wheelchair, has overcome more challenges than most in pursuing his teaching dream and said CSU has been barrier-free. He’s full of praise for the Bachelor of Primary Education Studies (BPES) program. “Charles Sturt University really is ahead of the game in its approach,” he said. “Having a solid grounding in proven teaching strategies and new technology has given me the confidence to go to job interviews feeling fully prepared.” The BPES is a one year teacher education program that prepares students to teach in primary/junior (JK-6) classrooms in Ontario. It’s open to graduates of a three or four year degree and focuses on developing practical and professional skills based on theoretical and conceptual understandings of teaching. Applications for the 2012 fall intake are open until 4pm Friday 18 May 2012.
New glasshouses on show at Australasian conference
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003
Recent years have seen a rise across Australasia in the construction of new glasshouses and other controlled growth chambers for plant research to replace outdated facilities from the 1950s and 1960s. Scientists, technicians and managers involved in plant biology research in controlled environments will meet at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga from Tuesday 1 May to Thursday 3 May. The A will hold its 6th conference to discuss new facilities in Australia and overseas, the latest technology supporting glasshouses or controlled environments including lighting, electronic controls and robotics, along with the latest research. The conference is being held at the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences, at CSU in Wagga Wagga, where preparations are underway to open a $45 million National Life Sciences Hub in June, which includes a glasshouse complex for advanced research into the interactions between soil, climate and plant biology, and pathology. “It is important to know how plants interact with the climate, particularly the changing climate, in relation to productivity. These facilities are a key part of the research infrastructure required to investigate such interactions,” said Senior Lecturer in Viticulture Dr Dennis Greer. The conference’s keynote speaker is Professor Bruce Bugbee from the Department of Plants, Soils and Biometeorology at Utah State University in the USA.
Children's charity assisted by construction workers
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003A charity to support the families of children receiving medical treatment in Wagga Wagga will benefit from the generosity of construction workers from the National Life Sciences Hub project at Charles Sturt University (CSU). The project’s contractor, Joss Construction will donate $2 500 to Ronald McDonald House Wagga Wagga at 10am on Monday 7 May. The money has been raised by gold coin donations during fortnightly barbecues involving Joss Construction and sub-contractors working on the large complex since late 2010. Joss Construction hosted the regular barbecues to coincide with Site Safety Meetings. The $45 million National Life Sciences Hub is due to be handed over to the University’s Faculty of Science by July. It includes teaching laboratories, a research complex, glasshouses and controlled environment facilities for plant growth. The project has been jointly funded by the Federal Government as part of the Education Investment Fund and CSU.
Do unions have a future in Australia?
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003The future of the trade union movement in Australia is the topic of a public lecture to be presented in Bathurst on Wednesday 2 May. Ms Cassandra Coleman, a union delegate with the Public Service Association, will highlight parallels between the failed and unpopular ‘Work Choices’ legislation enacted by the federal Howard Coalition government and similar legislation of the current O’Farrell government in NSW. “We were justified in opposing ‘Work Choices’ through our ‘Rights at Work’ campaign, and we are just as right in opposing the so-called O’Farrell reforms,” Ms Coleman said. The speaker will also address the problems caused by increasing casualisation in the workplace, and how unions can engage with their members, non-members in industries, and the wider community. “I will also discuss the future of the union movement in the current and recent political environments found in Australia,” she said. The lecture will be held between 1pm and 2.30pm in Room 324 of building C3 on CSU in Bathurst.
CSU alumni gather in Albury
Wednesday, 1 Jan 2003Past graduates of Charles Sturt University (CSU) who live in Albury, Wodonga and surrounding areas are invited to an informal gathering in Albury on Monday evening 14 May. Alumni of all ages and backgrounds can attend a cocktail evening to catch up with friends and possibly make new contacts, while also hearing from three accomplished CSU alumni and staff:
- Assistant Commissioner at the Australian Tax Office, Ms Debra Unsworth;
- current Deputy Chancellor of Charles Sturt University and former senior manager with NSW TAFE, Ms Kathryn Pitkin; and,
- CSU psychology lecturer, researcher and avowed sceptic, Dr Krissy Wilson.