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.

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

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.

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."

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.

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.

It's not just those on two wheels aiming for a personal best at the B2B (Blayney 2 Bathurst) Cycling Festival this weekend as Charles Sturt University (CSU) paramedic students put their training into action.The 85 students will be providing first aid and helping with traffic control at the two-day event as part of their Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic).Associate lecturer at CSU's School of Biomedical Sciences, Ms Amanda Hlushak said it's an important learning opportunity for the first-year students. "This kind of community service helps students improve communications skills, empathy and professionalism while gaining a greater understanding of cultural diversity," she said."This is the third year Charles Sturt University paramedic students have participated as volunteers at the B2B and we are thrilled to be able to contribute expertise and time in support of this important community event."The B2B Cycling Festival is a Cycling NSW sanctioned event, organised and promoted by the Bathurst Regional Council. It runs from Saturday 9 to Sunday 10 April. Proceeds are distributed to local charities with headspace Bathurst the major recipient.

Confusion surrounding what exercise is needed for older people will be unravelled during a public lecture at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Thursday 7 April.CSU Professor of Exercise Science, Robert Robergs will introduce his Active Lifestyle Education Program and then talk about why certain exercise is preferable. He will discuss high intensity training, lifting weights, diet and medical issues.Professor Robergs said, "Too many individuals become increasingly sedentary as they progress through 'middle' to 'older' age. We need to develop strategies and support systems to encourage our aging citizens to be more active."A good first step in this is to educate them as to why they need to be more active, and to support this with programs that assist them in quality exercise training. "We do this at Charles Sturt University with our Active Lifestyle Education Program."Tips about Becoming A Better You; Exercise, Training, Brain Health and Nutrition is a free lecture from 6pm to 7pm in room 223, building 1292, near car park 7, CSU in Bathurst.Professor Robergs is an exercise physiologist in the University's School of Exercise Science, Sport and Health in Bathurst. His research examines the role of exercise and physical fitness in disease prevention and rehabilitation in diverse special populations.The event is part of CSU's Explorations Series and will be held from 6-7pm, with refreshments to follow, in room 223 of building 1292, near car park 7 at CSU in Bathurst.

The second annual 2016 Amazing Race for charity at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst is about to leap out of the starting blocks.Head of Campus at CSU in Bathurst Associate Professor Chika Anyanwu said, "Rain, hail or shine, there are eight teams ready to start on the first leg of six challenges at 3pm Wednesday 30 March."Teams can still be formed up to 2pm, and all funds raised this year go to the Bathurst and District Riding for the Disabled."This is a fun event for staff and students, and we need everyone's help to reach our target. So I urge the community to please donate now to support these wonderful students and staff who are giving their time and energy to help the cause."Donations can be made directly at http://csuamazingrace.com.au. All online donations over $2 are tax deductible, and an instant receipt will be emailed to everyone who donates.There will be a sausage sizzle outside Pulse (building 1414) from 1pm. Teams will assemble outside Pulse at 2.45pm for the 3pm start.Professor Anyanwu acknowledged the role of former Head of Campus Professor Jo-Anne Reid who hosted last year's event and was central to the organisation of the 2016 Amazing Race.A second Amazing Race event will be held on Wednesday 6 April at CSU in Bathurst.