Visiting MP to explore innovation and start-ups at CSU

The Hon. Ed Husic, MP, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary Assisting with Digital Innovation and Start-ups, will tour the new CSU Engineering program facilities at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Thursday 12 May from 4pm to 5pm.

Mr Husic will be welcomed by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Toni Downes, and Head of Campus in Bathurst, Associate Professor Chika Anyanwu. Professor of Engineering Dr James Morgan will lead the tour which will be followed by an afternoon tea.

Mr Husic will provide a public address from 6pm to 7pm at CSU Engineering (building 1305, Village Drive) to discuss 'Regional Innovation and Start-ups', followed by a question and answer session.

Gravitational waves explored in free CSU public lecture

The recent momentous discovery of gravitational waves is the topic of a free public lecture at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange on Tuesday 17 May.

The Explorations Series public lecture will be delivered by Dr Philip Charlton, senior lecturer in mathematics in the CSU School of Computing and Mathematics. Dr Charlton was one of the Australian scientists who played a key role in the discovery of gravitational waves by the LIGO Scientific Collaboration in February 2016.

His lecture will discuss the discovery and scientific implications of this first observation by scientists of ripples in the fabric of space-time (gravitational waves) arriving at the earth from a cataclysmic event in the distant universe. This confirmed a major prediction of Albert Einstein's 1915 general theory of relativity, and opened an unprecedented new window onto the cosmos.

The public lecture will be presented at 6pm Tuesday 17 May in room 120, building 1004, at CSU, Leeds Parade, Orange. For more information contact Regional Relations Assistant to Head of Campus Orange, Ms Margot Drake on 6365 7500 or mdrake@csu.edu.au.

Preparing better teachers for high school classrooms

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is partnering with James Fallon High School in Albury to investigate new ways of preparing new teachers for the rigors of high school teaching.

Five third-year students enrolled in education degrees at CSU in Albury-Wodonga are taking part in the Great Teaching, Inspired Learning Framework funded by NSW Government.

The CSU students, who are specialising in mathematics, science, social science and English, have been immersed in the high school since March this year, observing different classes and participating in wider school activities. This prepares them for their formal six-week practicum with classes at James Fallon High School supervised by experienced teachers.

The CSU students were selected from their expressions of interest, which CSU education lecturer, Mr Paul Grover, hopes will better prepare new teachers for the complex life of high school teaching.

"High school teaching requires new teachers to understand the way a whole school operates each day, and the wide variety of school activities students are involved in each term," Mr Grover said.

The partnership between CSU and James Fallon high School is one of 11 across NSW, with only one other project being carried out in regional NSW.

"We have the chance to demonstrate how inland high schools can welcome and invigorate prospective teachers to explore the teaching profession by understanding the real world of a regional high school," Mr Grover said.

Exercise, sleep and appetite: research volunteers needed

The role of exercise in promoting sleep and improving appetite regulation is being examined as part of a study at Charles Sturt University (CSU).

Student Ms Penelope Larsen is completing her PhD through the CSU School of Exercise Science, Sport and Health and needs more than 600 people aged between 35 and 60 to take part in her research.

"The first component of the study uses a series of questionnaires which allow participants to give an explanation of their perceived sleep quality, eating behaviour, level of physical activity, and mood states," Ms Larsen said.

"Data from these questionnaires will examine the relationship between sleep, diet and physical activity to better determine the role of exercise in day-to-day lives."

Participants can also volunteer to take part in further research where they could be randomly selected to wear an Actiwatch for two weeks to record daily activity and sleep patterns.

Ms Larsen's research supervisor Dr Melissa Skein from CSU in Bathurst said, "The study will provide vital information about an individual's sleep and overall health and will be the platform for Penelope to examine specific exercise training protocols on sleep, appetite, and eating behaviour later in her PhD.

"The provision of questionnaires means it does not require too much time for the participants and they complete it at a time that suits them."If you have any questions or would like to take part in the research contact Ms Larsen by email to plarsen@csu.edu.au

Vets brush up on pathology skills

Veterinarians at the frontline of animal health and biosecurity are building their skills in pathology and diagnosis at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga this week.

Senior lecturer in veterinary pathology at CSU's School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Dr Panos Loukopoulos says the five day course aims to help improve livestock health surveillance by enhancing the investigative and reporting skills of government field veterinarians.

"These vets work with farmers throughout the state and are likely to be the first to detect or diagnose outbreaks of diseases of economic or biosecurity importance," said Dr Loukopoulos.

"Charles Sturt University is pleased to be involved in the continuing education of vets and to build networks of people working in our rural communities."

The course from Monday 2 May to Friday 6 May is one of three sessions held at laboratories across the state for field vets, mostly from Local Land Services and almost 50 veterinarians have been trained since the course began in 2009.

It is a collaboration between CSU, the University of Sydney, Local Land Services and the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI).

Young women flood Bathurst to consider futures in engineering

Around 200 female year 8, 9 and 10 students from Lithgow, Gilgandra, Mudgee, Blayney, Oberon, Bathurst and Orange will attend a Power of Engineering event at Charles Sturt University on Friday 6 May.

Students will try their hand at various engineering exercises and be inspired by successful people currently working in various engineering roles, and to see the diversity of roles and working locations on offer in regional areas like Bathurst.

Foundation Professor of Engineering at CSU, Euan Lindsay, is keen to see more females entering the engineering profession.

"We need to remove the barriers that have young women opt out of considering engineering as a career path," Professor Lindsay said.

"Good engineering is about people.  There are engineering challenges facing all of society; relying a single subset of that society to provide the answers for everyone else is a recipe for disaster. 

"That's why at Charles Sturt University, we have built a program for diverse engineers, friendly to the diverse people who are going to create new products for all our world." See more comments by Professor Lindsay here.

Co-Founder of Power of Engineering and Senior Project Manager at Arup, Ms Felicity Furey said how important it is to have the whole community involved.

"To create this change of diversity in engineering, we need to have everyone involved and we are thrilled to partner with Charles Sturt University and have local industry involved – Energy Australia, Seymour Whyte, GHD, CDE Designs, NSW Roads and Maritime Services and Arup," Ms Furey said.

"This is the first regional event we have run outside of Queensland and our largest event to date. This is testament to the enthusiasm these young women have to exploring these opportunities as many demanded we increase our original event capacity of 100 places."

The free one-day Power of Engineering event will run from 9am to 3pm on 6 May in the new Engineering building (1305), Village Drive, at CSU in Bathurst.

Annual careers FACTS Day for Year-12 students

Year-12 high schools students from across the Central West will attend the annual FACTS Day (Facts About Careers and Tertiary Study) at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Thursday 5 May.

FACTS Day is organised by the Central West Careers Advisers Association to assist students explore their future career and employment opportunities.

CSU Prospective Student Adviser Ms Melinda Negus (pictured) said, "FACTS Day provides regional final-year high school students with the opportunity to speak to a range of educational providers, and hear a motivational speaker.

"It is also an opportunity for students to experience Charles Sturt University by attending the campus, which some schools will tour.

"As with past years, we expect about 1 000 Year-12 students to attend from schools in Bathurst, Lithgow, Kandos, Oberon, Blayney, Cowra, Canowindra, Orange and Molong. Information will be available from about 120 representatives of more than 60 career and employer organisations, including universities, private providers, TAFE, Centrelink, police, and other government agencies."

Don Watson talks travel in Albury and Wagga Wagga lecture

Australian author Don Watson will talk about his new award-winning book, The Bush: Travels in the heart of Australia during free public lectures at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga and Wagga Wagga later this month.

As part of the University's Exploration Series, Mr Watson will discuss his work of memoir, travel writing, history and social critique.

The Bush won the Indie Book of the Year in 2015 and the 2015 NSW Premier's Literary Award. It was published in September 2014 by Penguin Australia

Mr Watson is the writer of acclaimed articles, essays and books, including Recollections of a Bleeding Heart: Paul Keating Prime Minister, Death Sentence, Watson's Dictionary of Weasel Words and American Journeys.

In 2010, he was awarded the Phillip Hodgins Memorial Medal for Australian Literature. His website, Weasel Words documents 'management-speak' and the demise of the public language.

The first lecture will be held from 6pm on Tuesday 26 April at the CSU Riverina Playhouse, Chruch Street in Wagga Wagga.

Then from 6pm on Wednesday 27 April, Mr Watson will deliver a lecturer at the CD Blake Auditorium, building 751, CSU in Thurgoona.

The lectures are free and the public is invited to attend.

Emergency training simulation at CSU in Bathurst

The Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Biomedical Sciences is holding an emergency training simulation in Bathurst on Thursday 21 April as part of its inaugural certificate course, Emergency Protective Patient Care (EPPC).

The immersive training exercise is designed for those working in public order units, close personal protection, corrections services, border security, or other police and security functions, and will provide simulations that will assist students to develop skills and knowledge in a critical area of public safety.

CSU paramedic program lecturer Mr Alexander (Sandy) MacQuarrie (pictured) said the major scenario would involve a visit to CSU Bathurst campus by the fictional  'Prime Minister of the Republic of Toonjey'.

"The day will include several simulations where enrolled NSW Police counterterrorism officers will have to demonstrate their EPPC skills," said Mr MacQuarrie. He notes that CSU has 'gone above and beyond' to allow a full day's exercise in Bathurst.

"Also attending will be the NSW Police, fire fighters and ambulance paramedics along with some local actors who'll be taking part in the training exercise," he said.

The exercise will take place at various locations around the campus, as the 'Prime Minister' tours the facilities.

"In the security-conscious world we live in, exercises like these are really important as they build confidence and skills for those working in close personal protection, as well as helping to build and maintain community confidence in our law enforcement agencies," Mr MacQuarrie said.

The Emergency Protective Patient Care course has been developed by CSU in consultation with the NSW Police Protection Operations Unit.

The course has been designed for those working in close protection services to gain skills and knowledge in the areas of emergency care in the adverse situation where people need medical help or are suffering from trauma, sometimes in very austere environments. It is the first time a course like this has been offered in Australia.

CSU is recognised globally as a leading provider of research and education for professionals in law, law enforcement, investigations, terrorism and safety, emergency management, leadership and security.

Engineering MyDay at CSU in Bathurst

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst will host more than 20 high school students and other prospective students from regional NSW at a CSU Engineering MyDay event on Monday 11 April.

This will be the first MyDay to showcase the newly-completed engineering building and CSU's unique engineering curriculum to prospective students. The MyDay will include presentations from Foundation Professor of Engineering Euan Lindsay and workshops involving the engineering academics, as well as Dr Nick Brown, Director of Research at Engineers Without Borders.

"This will be a fantastic opportunity for young people who are the potential engineers of the future to experience what a dynamic and exciting engineering course Charles Sturt University now offers," Professor Lindsay said. "I'm particularly pleased that young women are taking an increasing interest in engineering as a career."

The participating schools include St Stanislaus College (Bathurst), Rouse Hill Anglican College, Junee High School, Mater Dei Catholic College (Wagga Wagga), Molong Central School, Wagga Wagga Christian College, Mater Dei Catholic College, Dubbo Christian School, St Edwards College East (Gosford), Orange High School, Lithgow High School, St Clare's College (Canberra) and Lithgow High School.