The annual scholarships and prizes presentation ceremony at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo on Tuesday 23 May saw 16 scholarships and nine prizes awarded to students.Across the University a total of 296 scholarships worth over $1.2 million will be awarded in 2017, making it one of the strongest scholarship portfolios in the country. The number and value of CSU scholarships has increased 21 per cent since 2015.Head of Campus at CSU in Dubbo Ms Cathy Maginnis said, "This scholarships and prizes presentation evening recognises and celebrates the outstanding achievements of students."It also recognises the contributions made by local businesses, organisations and individuals who sponsor an award, and enables recipients to meet the donors and share their stories and explain what the award will do for them. Without these generous benefactors the evening would not occur and these students would struggle to study."The CSU Foundation Trust also presented scholarships to students and these contribute to enhancing the students' experiences and development of professionals for our regions. We were fortunate to have CSU Acting Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Toni Downes present a scholarship on behalf of the University Council and the Chancellor of the University."The Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science Professor Tim Wess, and Head of the School of Indigenous Australian Studies Associate Professor Jay Phillips also attended.Academic prizes and awards were also presented to students with outstanding results in their course and Dean's merit awards were presented as recognition of students' outstanding academic performance."The evening was a chance to celebrate the hard work and achievements of students and the support they have from their families," Ms Maginnis said. "It was an opportunity to mingle with donors, recipients, staff and families in the newly refurbished Café at completion of the ceremony."This ceremony is an important calendar event for the University and all students should feel very proud of their achievements, this provides further incentive to aim for further awards and recognises the hard work they have put into their studies. The scholarships and prizes are earned from a very competitive field and reinforces the students' choice of course to study at Charles Sturt University."Ms Genoveva De Sousa presented the vote of thanks on behalf of all the students and concluded her speech by thanking everyone in five languages, which alone is a major achievement."