Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst recently hosted ‘Xplore CSU’, an on-campus information day for 44 Year 5 and 6 students from Tullamore Central School, Tottenham Central School and Kelso Public School in Bathurst to encourage them to consider higher education when they finish school. “The ‘Xplore CSU’ day is part of a federally-funded program which aims to provide information, access and awareness of further education for all students, especially those from rural and remote areas which are currently under-represented in higher education,” said Ms Liz Smith, Director of Academic Support at CSU. “Research shows students’ ideas about who attends university - and more importantly who doesn’t - are formed at a very young age. It’s important for children and their families to understand their options for university, and the program helps build that understanding.” The ‘Xplore CSU’ day allowed the students to attend seminars and activities in the Schools of Computing and Mathematics, Human Movement Studies, Communication and Creative Industries, and Business.They toured university facilities, participated in a mock graduation ceremony, met CSU student ambassadors, met Wayne the robotic dog, and visited the on-campus television studio where they recorded a news bulletin.