The departing Vice-Chancellor and President of Charles Sturt University (CSU), Professor Ian Goulter, will attend his final functions at the University this week in Bathurst. On Wednesday 14 December, he will attend a farewell dinner with the CSU Council before attending the final meeting for 2011 on Thursday 15 December of the University’s governing body. Professor Goulter will also participate in graduation ceremonies across the institution this week including two ceremonies in Bathurst on Saturday 17 December for the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Arts as his final formal duties with the University.

In response to the needs of  graduates, Charles Sturt University (CSU) has moved its graduation ceremonies to December of the year that students finish their studies. This year will be the only year that CSU hosts two rounds of graduations – in May and December. CSU in Bathurst will hold this year’s ceremonies on Thursday 15, Friday 16, and Saturday 17 December. Head of Campus at CSU in Bathurst, Mr Col Sharp, said, “Exit surveys of students indicated that they preferred to graduate the year they finished study, rather than return six months later when the majority have moved away to begin their careers - making it expensive or impractical to travel to Bathurst to celebrate. We are expecting about 1 000 graduates to cross the stage over the six ceremonies, bringing with them up to 3 000 visitors to Bathurst, which again provides a welcome boost to the local economy.” As a temporary measure, the ceremonies will be held at St Stanislaus College in Bathurst because the installation of a new air conditioning system at the CD Blake Auditorium at CSU will not be completed in time.  

More than 1 360 school leavers who successfully applied for courses at Charles Sturt University (CSU) through the Principal’s Report Entry Program (PREP) will be acknowledged during morning tea ceremonies in Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo and Orange this Friday 9 December. Coordinator of the University’s early entry PREP scheme, Mr Matthew Evans, said the scheme has grown in size and prestige in recent years. “We received almost 2 000 applications for the PREP scheme this year and the standard of the applications continues to increase, meaning we can offer the best students early entry into degrees. The successful applicants can then start preparing for their university education. PREP is an early entry scheme designed to attract academically talented students from high schools and TAFE in non-metropolitan areas in NSW, ACT and Victoria.” This is the first year CSU has formally celebrated the PREP offers with a morning tea ceremony.  

More than 540 school leavers who successfully applied for courses at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga through the Principal’s Report Entry Program (PREP) will be acknowledged during a morning tea ceremony on Wednesday 7 December. Coordinator of the early entry PREP scheme, Mr Matthew Evans said the scheme has grown in size and prestige in recent years with Charles Sturt University offering more than 1 360 students a place through PREP in 2011. “We received almost 2 000 applications for the PREP scheme this year and the standard of the applications continues to increase, meaning we can offer degree entry to the best students early and the successful applicants can start preparing for their university education. PREP is an early entry scheme designed to attract academically talented students from high schools and TAFE in non metropolitan areas in NSW, ACT and Victoria.” This is the first year CSU has formally celebrated the PREP offers with a morning tea ceremony.

After a decade as the institution’s chief executive, the Vice-Chancellor and President of Charles Sturt University (CSU), Professor Ian Goulter will be farewelled by staff at the University in Bathurst on Friday 2 December. The Head of Campus at CSU in Bathurst, Mr Col Sharp, will host the event and has invited all staff to attend and enjoy the end of year celebration. “There is no doubt that Charles Sturt University has developed significantly under the leadership of Professor Goulter, our Vice-Chancellor of the last 10 years,” Mr Sharp said. “Charles Sturt University in Bathurst has been a key part of the organisation’s overall success, and staff are looking forward to expressing their appreciation to Professor Goulter for his work over this time. We wish him good health, happiness and continued success in his life ahead.”  

Organisers expect about 165 participants at the annual TechNet 2011 National Conference at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst from Wednesday 30 November to Friday 2 December. Mr Jim Watt, laboratory manager in the School of Biomedical Sciences at CSU in Bathurst, said, “The event conference will attract participants from tertiary institutions all over Australia and beyond. The theme of the conference is ‘Balancing Change’, which reflects the challenges faced by all technical staff in the constantly evolving university sector. It is an opportunity for technicians to share knowledge, liaise with distant colleagues, and inspect the many trade displays and some of the latest technology.” Keynote speaker is Ms Libby Hall, Manager of the Taronga Wildlife Hospital, who has over 20 years experience as a wildlife specialist. Workshops and sessions include topics such as: collaboration; the technical spirit; approaches to energy efficiency projects at universities; balancing change - a technician’s role; asset management; the National Life Sciences Hub at CSU; use of open source and freeware in universities; and remote laboratory for interactive learning.

Five days of intense academic discussion about infant and toddler education and care starts at Charles Sturt Univeristy (CSU) in Bathurst on Monday 21 November. Professor Jennifer Sumsion from the School of Teacher Education at CSU in Bathurst said, “This important five-day Symposium on Infant-Toddler Education and Care: Exploring Diverse Perspectives on Theory, Research, Practice and Policy will see academics from Charles Sturt University examine a range of issues with international researchers and authors from the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, New Zealand, Finland, and the United States. In essence, we will explore the current knowledge and research about how infants and toddlers conceive themselves and their worlds as they grow, and what are the ideal circumstances and environment to support and promote healthy growth.” The symposium will promote proposals for collaboration on conference papers, a book, and a special scholarly journal issue. On Friday 25 November there is also a session from 11am to 1.30pm open to interested local members of the profession and the public.

December hails the arrival of the graduation season at Charles Sturt University (CSU). In response to the needs of students, CSU is holding its graduations in Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Canberra, Dubbo, Orange and Wagga Wagga from Saturday 10 December to Saturday 17 December. The change from a graduation season in the first half of the year will allow students at CSU to attend their ceremony and receive their awards much closer to the completion of their course. Graduations will be held at CSU in Albury-Wodonga on Friday 16 December and Saturday 17 December; in Bathurst on Thursday 15, Friday 16 and Saturday 17 December; in Canberra on Saturday 10 December; in Dubbo on Monday 12 December; in Orange on Tuesday 13 December; and in Wagga Wagga on Monday 12, Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 December. Read more here.

Local childcare providers and early childhood educators are invited to attend a free forum about infant and toddler education and care with Charles Sturt University (CSU) teaching staff and international researchers in Bathurst on Friday 25 November. Associate Professor Linda Harrison, lecturer and researcher at the School of Teacher Education  at CSU in Bathurst said, “This event concludes a five-day symposium at Charles Sturt University on infant and toddler education and care, and offers local practitioners a unique opportunity to meet and talk with international researchers and authors from the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, New Zealand, Finland, and the United States. Each presenter will speak about current practices and policy challenges in early education and care in their own countries. The presentations by the international panel will be followed by a discussion with members of the audience to consider the current directions and challenges in Australian services for infants and toddlers.” The event is supported by the University’s Research Institute for Professional Practice, Learning and Education (RIPPLE) and the Faculty of Education Professional Experience Office.