International trends for grains, oilseeds and pulses will be discussed at the annual Asia Today Forum 2009 on Thursday 13 August in Parkes. Following the successful forums on beef in 2007 and lamb in 2008, the Asia Today Forum 2009 will focus on cereals, oilseeds and pulses and their outlook for Asian markets. “While the focus of the forum will be on Asia, it will also broaden the view towards the relevant underlying developments and driving forces of today's agricultural and grain markets,” says Director of the Asian Agribusiness Research Centre at CSU, Dr Claus Deblitz. Speakers will include Professor John Chudleigh from Analysing Agriculture and representatives from Emerald Group, the Bread Research Institute, Buckwheat Enterprises, Lachlan Commodities and MSM Milling - Manildra.  

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is giving young people the opportunity to have an input into the challenging issues such as homelessness, teen suicide, drugs, poverty and crime. The Making a Difference (MaD) competition is now open and submissions close on Monday 5 October. “By writing a story, poem or script that addresses any issue of social justice, entrants are in the running to receive one of four $250 cash prizes,” explains CSU coordinator Mr Bill Anscombe. “In addition, Charles Sturt University will donate $250 to the charity of the winners’ choice.”  The School of Humanities and Social Sciences’ Social Justice Innovation Award is eligible to anyone aged between 15 and 21 and are in Years 10, 11 and 12 at high school or studying at TAFE. Judging will take place in October, with the winners announced early November.

Reflecting Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) continued support for students who wish to study and gain their professional qualifications in regional Australia, a new application process for entry into the Bachelor of Pharmacy degree will commence in 2010. In addition to lodging an application with the University Admissions Centre (UAC) by Wednesday 30 September 2009, a ‘Supplementary Application Form’ and interview process has been introduced. These changes will allow applicants to demonstrate an interest in, and commitment to, rural Australia, a career in pharmacy and the overall health of the rural population. “By showing an understanding of the unique issues that confront pharmacists and other health workers in rural and remote Australia, Charles Sturt University is ensuring students are prepared for an education and possibly a career in regional Australia,” said Head of the School of Biomedical Sciences, Associate Professor Lyndall Angel.

Primary teacher student Ms Emma Wagner returned from the United Kingdom to Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Bathurst in July to complete her studies after her fortnight long fully paid overseas trip. Ms Wagner from Sydney was one of 20 Australian and New Zealand students to win a place in the inaugural myOE University Tour, organised by the company My Overseas Experience. “There was a great mix of planned and unplanned moments as we travelled in a Kombi from London to Newcastle, Edinburgh, Manchester, Bath, Brighton and many other destinations in between,” said Ms Wagner. “We toured old buildings, castles, art galleries, museums, churches and other sights all on foot and sometimes even on bikes. Summing up my trip as ‘amazing’ doesn’t even come close to describing how wonderful the trip was. As a soon-to-be teacher, travelling gives you knowledge and skills that you can’t just read about and learn from a text book. I would recommend starting these travel experiences now to all students.” Ms Wagner also travelled to South Korea in 2008 through CSU Global.

Vital financial support of almost $30 000 has been awarded to veterinary science students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Wagga Wagga. The 2009 Professional Experience Scholarships and Prizes were presented on Tuesday 4 August to help the students while they attend their practical work placements across Australia. The awards included fifth year students who are about to embark on the third phase of the veterinary science program, which involves ten clinical rotations over the next 12 months. “The scholarships to assist the students with their field experience come at an exciting time for the first intake of students into the veterinary science program,” said Head of the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences Professor Kym Abbott. “The students have been very well prepared for the final phase of their training but now need to apply their full focus to this final development of their clinical skills before they graduate next year. The financial support from donors will help them at this critical stage of their studies.”

An acclaimed play starring Ms Kate Smith, a tutor and PhD student at the Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Communication, will have its new season premiere in Bathurst on Wednesday 12 August before touring regional NSW during August. Ms Smith, who co-wrote the play with co-star Mr Drew Fairley, says The No Chance in Hell Hotel is a nail-biting comedy thriller set in the back streets of Kings Cross in Sydney. “The No Chance in Hell Hotel is a fast-paced two-hander and full of laughs,” said Ms Smith. “It’s been enthusiastically received by audiences elsewhere and we’re really looking forward to bringing entertaining live theatre to regional communities across NSW.” This production is organised and supported by Critical Stages, which is dedicated to touring high-quality independent theatre in Australia.

During Dental Health Week, Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Dentistry and Health Sciences are encouraging parents and teachers to enrol children in the Australian Dental Association’s (ADA) Seven Day Dental Bootcamp. “The program will give children the knowledge they need to look after their teeth and understand what foods are good for them and what they should limit,” says senior lecturer Dr Sabrina Manickam. The ADA website offers information for parents, teachers and children on keeping teeth healthy. “In 2010, the CSU Dental Clinic will be open to the public and we’ll be able to contribute to improving patient access in the Central West,” Dr Manickam says. “We hope to help take the pressure off waiting lists at the region’s dental clinics while helping them continue their efforts, so all school age children have immediate access to dental care.”

A visiting academic will deliver a public lecture at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Bathurst on Thursday 23 July which examines how, in his view, the political system, the medical profession, and the university sector in the United Kingdom (UK) have colluded with the pharmaceutical industry to promote shareholder profits at the expense of public health. Dr Paul Duckett, a visiting community critical psychologist at CSU’s School of Social Sciences and Liberal Studies at Bathurst, suggests that efforts in the UK to secure social justice and social support for people allegedly harmed by the psycho-pharmaceutical industry has implications for thousands of Australian children, and questions why the drug Paxil is prescribed by doctors rather than being proscribed by politicians. According to Dr Duckett, in Australia during 2008, 4000 children under 10 years of age were prescribed Paxil and other Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) medications. This is despite findings in 2003 that the manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), withheld clinical trial data for at least five years that showed the drug was clinically ineffective and increased the risk of suicide in children and adolescents.

As part of the continuing celebration of the 20th anniversary of Charles Sturt University (CSU), 11 individuals who have contributed to the University will have student residences named after them at a ceremony at the Bathurst Campus on Sunday 19 July. The Chancellor of CSU, Mr Lawrie Willett, AO, will confer this honour on behalf of the Charles Sturt University Council on Mr Peter Andren, AM, Dr Ian Barnard, Professor Michael Birt, AO, CBE, Mr Bruce Cameron, Dr Ron Camplin, OAM, Dr John Collins, Mrs Jennifer Hector, Dr Peter Hodgson, Mr Ian Macintosh, AM, Dr Melvin McMichael, and Mr Bernard O'Donnell. The honourees will be joined by family members and friends, members of the University Council, invited guests and members of staff. A special guest on the day will be the artist Mr Jiawei Shen who will officially unveil his portrait of the Chancellor. The host of the ceremony, Head of Bathurst Campus, Mr Col Sharp, said, “This is an especially pleasing occasion. These people have conceived and put in place so many of the wonderful developments at Charles Sturt University during its 20 years - it’s great to see their names carried forward to become a part of every day student life on campus.”