Residents in the NSW Central West with ideas for innovations can learn the latest in startup and innovation strategy at a 'Starting a Business' boot camp to be held in Bathurst in March.Hosted by CenWest Innovate, based at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst, budding entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs and innovators will gain an understanding of agile planning, creating a minimum viable product, proof of concept development, ideas validation, risk mitigation, business modelling and more during the two day workshop."A major challenge for new entrepreneurs is developing products that customers will want to buy, will be competitive in the market, and generate enough cash flow for their business to remain viable," said CenWest Innovate director, Professor Mark Morrison from the University's School of Management and Marketing."New businesses need to be able to develop and test their ideas in the market in a way that helps refine their product or service and reduces the costs of not getting it completely right the first time."This boot camp aims to overcome some of these issues."The free boot camp will be led by Troy Haines, CEO of theSPACE in Cairns, who will share his ideas on the fundamental processes of effectively 'Turning Ideas into Reality' to invigorate and inspire a start-up business community in the NSW Central West.The boot camp will run from 6pm to 9pm on Friday 24 March and from 9am to 5pm on Saturday 25 March.To enrol or find out more information, contact Ms Marie-Christine Sweeney at CenWest Innovate on telephone (02) 6338 4503, or send an email.

Students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) are aiming to change their behaviours to significantly reduce their carbon use in 2017.During the recent Orientation Week, nearly 300 students at CSU in Albury-Wodonga, Wagga Wagga, Dubbo, Orange, Bathurst and Port Macquarie signed a pledge to reduce their personal carbon footprint.CSU Green Manager, Mr Ed Maher, said that the students' behaviour changes would also contribute towards the University's carbon neutrality status."Charles Sturt University is currently the only University in Australia that has been certified as carbon neutral by the federal government. This means that we have done a lot of work to reduce our emissions and the remaining amount of greenhouse gases we emit into the atmosphere are equal to the amount that we offset through certified offset projects associated with reforestation in central NSW and a range of internationally-based renewable energy systems," Mr Maher said."The student pledges, which are a new Orientation activity, also make students aware of what it takes to be carbon neutral. The students embraced the initiative with absolute enthusiasm. This reminds us that our strong leadership in this area is important to these future leaders and professionals in the making."Student pledges included actions aimed at reducing waste and improving energy efficiency as well as in conserving water.Mr Maher said popular pledges included 'I'm committed to turning off my computer at the power point when not in use, using reusable bags and saying no to plastic and packaging, and get my coffee in a Keep Cup because I know disposable cups are rubbish and are not recyclable'."Charles Sturt University is supporting the students' pledges by employing four student Sustainability Advisers who live on campus and will lead sustainability initiatives with students and help them fulfil their pledges," he said.The advisers will live on CSU in Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Orange and Wagga Wagga.

A new state-of the-art 25 tonne five-colour printing press will arrive on trucks and be installed by heavy-lift cranes at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Tuesday 6 March.Chief Financial Officer in the CSU Division of Finance Mr Paul Dowler said, "Despite there being a general decline in the need for printed material, there is still a requirement for this technology. The University has assessed this as being both worthwhile for its needs, and it will also allow the University to service regional clients for printing work on a competitive basis."CSU Print production coordinator Mr Alex Ward said the purchase of the fully-refurbished five-colour Ryobi 685 printing press gives CSU Print the capacity to handle all the University's printing in-house."This will be one of only two five-colour printing presses in the NSW central west, so it will also make CSU Print a very competitive player in the commercial market in the region," Mr Ward said."The printing press has come from Singapore by ship and arrived in Sydney last week. Delivery and installation is due to commence at approximately 8am on Tuesday 7 March."A Sydney-based transport company is organising the delivery using two semi-trailers as the total weight of the machine 25 tonnes and it's about 13 metres long."The full installation of the printing press should take three to five days to complete, followed by operational training for staff.The types of material printed for the University by CSU Print includes booklets, brochures, posters, exam papers, campus maps, orientation material for new students, graduation programs, the certificates presented to graduates at graduation ceremonies, banners, signage, and book printing and binding for local self-publishers.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) has made a $4 000 Community-University Partnership (CUP) grant to the Cathedral of St Michael and St John Restoration Committee in Bathurst.Head of Campus at CSU in Bathurst, Associate Professor Chika Anyanwu, said, "The preservation of our regional cultural and historical heritage is part of our Community-University Partnership goals."We are proud to make a little contribution towards the restoration of the Cathedral, which is the second oldest Catholic Cathedral in continuous use in Australia."On another level, the participation of CSU Engineering students on the project is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in a project which teaches them how to work around engineering challenges, which by the nature of its heritage status, demands solutions around complex problems with limited flexibility."Chairman of the Cathedral of St Michael and St John Restoration Project Committee, Mr Phil Burgett, said the CUP grant is a tangible sign of the University's desire to be involved in the restoration of the Cathedral and its commitment to the city of Bathurst."The CSU CUP Community Grants Programme grant provides a valuable and timely contribution to the costs associated with landscaping works and proposed changes to the interior of the Cathedral to solve the factors contributing to the deterioration of the building," he said.In 2016 the Cathedral of St Michael and St John Restoration Committee developed concept plans for the next major phases of the restoration project.This included a series of consultation meetings with parishioners and stakeholder groups, to brief them on the plans and formally survey the level of satisfaction in their observations and feedback.The outcomes included a high level of engagement and satisfaction with the proposals and provided valuable ideas for further refinement.Mr Burgett said the association with the University through the CUP grants program has fostered an exciting dialogue with CSU's Engineering program."This will hopefully see Charles Sturt University student engineers undertaking project work on the Cathedral as a component of their studies to provide innovative design and construction solutions to the challenges of restoring the Cathedral," Mr Burgett said."This aims to advance a practical and constructive relationship between the University and the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst."Applications for CUP rural and regional arts grants and the Head of Campus small grants opens on Monday 27 February. Further information about CUP is available here.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst will welcome more than 700 new students and returning students for the start of 2017 Orientation Week (O Week) on Monday 20 February.Ms Alexandra Cary, student liaison officer in the University's Office for Students at CSU in Bathurst, said O Week serves two important purposes for new students."O Week is a fun week of 'getting to know you' before classes for new and continuing students start on campus on Monday 27 February," Ms Cary said."As a traditional annual fixture on the University calendar, O Week is designed to make new students feel at ease and at home and be able to navigate their way around campus and their schedules, and the expectations that come with tertiary study."O Week introduces new students to the practical features of University life such as their on-campus accommodation and the dining hall, the location of lecture theatres and their respective Schools and the location of lecturers' offices etc, and it introduces them to their fellow new students."Other O Week highlights include academic sessions, and library and laboratory tours and a range of social activities.Across the University, more than 8 700 students will begin studying at CSU in 2017, 2 800 of those on-campus and nearly 6 000 through CSU Online.O Week social events at CSU in Bathurst:Monday 20 February10.30am Commencement Ceremony at CD Blake Auditorium (building 1220, 'the gym')11.30am to 2pm Market Day on the Library Lawn7pm Toga Party at the Rafters Bar; $5 entry* from O Week leader tentTuesday 21 February3.30pm Scavenger Hunt on campus; meet at the Library Lawn8pm Comedy Night – Mug and Kettle Comedy at the Rafters Bar, free entryWednesday 22 February3pm Beach Party at Dining Hall/Towers LawnMetro Cinema Movie Night; limited free tickets available from O Week Leader tent 7pm Hawaiian Luau in the Rafters Bar; $5 entry*, tickets available from O Week Leader tentThursday 23 February3pm O Week Fair on the Library Lawn7pm Moonlight Cinema, on the Library Lawn, with free pizzasFriday 24 February2pm Fresher Cup on the Diggings Oval8pm Dag Night featuring Jellybean Jam at the Rafters Bar; entry - $15* tickets available from O Week leader tent. (*A Weekly Event Ticket available for $20, saving $5.)

More than 700 new students, their families and friends will be welcomed to Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst at a Commencement Ceremony on Monday 20 February.Following an academic procession, Head of Campus at CSU in Bathurst, Associate Professor Chika Anyanwu, will formally welcome the students and guests, telling the students that they are commencing an academic journey that the University hopes they will find both stimulating and fulfilling."The University is a community, which forms part of a bigger social, cultural and educational heritage of the City of Bathurst and its surrounds," Professor Anyanwu said. "I encourage new students to not only be active participants in University life, but also to respect and become part of the wider Bathurst community."The University provides a vibrant, inclusive, tolerant and supportive environment where students will be intellectually challenged to perform their best."Students will also become socially involved in making long-lasting friendships and connections, and they will be culturally stimulated to see the world differently. They will be empathetically aroused to help those less fortunate in our society, and to reflect on their journey as they pursue their dreams."Professor Anyanwu will stress to new students that they are now part of a privileged group who have been making positive impacts in this community and the nation through academic achievements and participation in a range of civic events and other activities.Special guests and dignitaries include Wiradyuri Elder Aunty Gloria Rogers; Mayor of Bathurst Regional Council, Councillor Gary Rush; and the Most Reverend Bishop Michael McKenna.

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) researcher is working with Accessible Living Options (ALO) in Bathurst to improve services for people who are aged and/or have a disability.Dr John Rae, a researcher and senior lecturer in health services management in the CSU School of Biomedical Sciences in Bathurst, said his research with ALO comes at an important time in the evolution of services delivery in Australia."Aged and disability services in Australia are undergoing massive changes, including aged care reforms and the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The project is timely because creativity at an organisational level is going to be even more important," Dr Rae said."This project aims to understand why ALO is so creative, based on the fact that in 2015 they received a Best Practice Award for Innovation in providing frail aged people with a mix of social activities who live in rural, remote and very remote areas. ALO has a philosophy of problem-solving using creativity to overcome obstacles such as isolation and transport issues. As well, their Executive Officer, Ms Cheryl Keogh, recently received a leadership award titled Most Inspirational Women Award 2016."In my research I use art. I interview staff or other relevant personnel, make paintings for them and take the artwork back to them to probe deeper. This process works well to discover hidden elements of people's and organisations' creative capacities."ALO provides services to people who are frail aged or have a disability, and who live in Bathurst and surrounding region, Oberon, Blayney, Greater Lithgow, Kandos, Rylstone, and into the Blue Mountains to Katoomba.Dr Rae is pictured (second from left) with some of the 10 ALO volunteers he met on Monday 6 February to initiate the research process with ALO.

Call to reassess sentencing after Bathurst Jail riotA senior researcher from Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst has called on NSW policy makers to reassess whether prison sentences are the best way to handle low-level crime after yesterday's riot at Bathurst Jail."The riot brings to mind some of the problems that 40 years ago, led to the Nagle Royal Commission into the infamous Bathurst Jail riots of 1974," said Dr McFarlane from the University's Centre for Law and Justice."Allegations of prison overcrowding are hardly surprising, given NSW has never had so many people in jail."We know that jail often makes people worse and doesn't add to community safety. The vast bulk of people don't need to be in jail."Addressing prison sentencing and reducing overcrowding would also help relieve pressure to extend the Bathurst jail over the next five years, which will only add to the huge financial burden for NSW taxpayers."

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will welcome approximately 957 graduates, their families and friends to the four 2016 graduation ceremonies in Bathurst on Thursday 15 and Friday 16 December.Awards will be presented to graduates from the Faculty of Arts and Education, Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences, and Faculty of Science at four ceremonies at the CD Blake Auditorium at CSU, Panorama Avenue, Bathurst NSW.Head of Campus at CSU in Bathurst, Associate Professor Chika Anyanwu, said, "More than 4 500 people will converge on Charles Sturt University in Bathurst to celebrate this year's graduation ceremonies."We congratulate our graduating professionals with their friends and families on the successful completion of their studies with us. We pride ourselves on producing job-ready professionals who enter the workforce very insightful, making a positive impact, creating an inclusive society, and inspiring others."More than 1 000 graduates including about 20 PhDs, will receive their testamurs from the University in Bathurst this year. We invite you to come and share this important milestone with us."An honorary doctorate will be bestowed on long-time Bathurst resident and Aboriginal educator Mr Laurence Crawford, who will also deliver the Occasional Address at the ceremony from 3pm Friday 16 December. Mr Crawford's Doctor of Education (honoris causa) is for his contributions to Indigenous education, the local community and CSU relationships across the University footprint as a devoted and valued friend to Charles Sturt University.Other graduation highlights include:Wiradjuri woman Ms Annette Gainsford, lecturer in law and justice studies at CSU in Bathurst, will graduate with a Bachelor of Business (Honours) Class One at the first ceremony at 9.30am Thursday 15 December. Her thesis, Understanding Andragogy Methods Supporting the MURRA Indigenous Business Master Class to Develop Indigenous Businesses in Australia, looked at the teaching method for Indigenous business education. It focused on working with Indigenous entrepreneurs from many areas of Australia and how they developed business acumen through the MURRA Indigenous business education program taught through the Melbourne Business School. Another interesting aspect of Ms Gainsford's graduation is that her daughter will graduate from CSU at the same time; they are the first mother and daughter in her family to graduate from university.Bathurst resident Mr Claudio Dionigi will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Class One at the ceremony at 3pm Friday 16 December. Mr Dionigi will also receive the University Medal, and deliver the student Vote of Thanks. His honours thesis title is March Australia as a Counter-Movement to Neoliberalism: Polanyi, Protest and Democracy Downunder. The thesis used the work of Karl Polanyi, a Hungarian economic historian, to interpret the various protest movements that were occurring around the world, and the March Australia protests in particular that occurred during Mr Tony Abbott's time as Prime Minister.9.30am Thursday 15 December - approximately 245 graduates from the Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences, and Faculty of Science and 712 guestsSchool of Computing and Mathematics, School of Accounting and Finance, School of Management and Marketing, School of Policing Studies, Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security, School of Psychology, Centre for Customs and Excise Studies, Centre for Law and Justice, School of Community Health, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health, School of Environmental Science, School of Dentistry and Health Sciences, School of Agriculture and Wine Sciences, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, School of Exercise Science, Sport and Health.Ms Annette Gainsford will deliver the Occasional Address. Ms Katherine Reynolds will deliver the student Vote of Thanks.3pm Thursday 15 December - approximately 220 graduates from the Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences, and Faculty of Science and 712 guests:Centre for Law and Justice, School of Community Health, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health, School of Environmental Science, School of Dentistry and Health Sciences, School of Agriculture and Wine Sciences, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, School of Exercise Science, Sport and HealthCSU Professor of Rural Health Linda Shields will deliver the Occasional Address. Ms Caroline Robertson will deliver the student Vote of Thanks.9.30am Friday 16 December - approximately 237 graduates from the Faculty of Arts and Education, and Faculty of Science and 737 guests:School of Communication and Creative Industries, and the School of Biomedical SciencesSenior Reporter with the Nine Network Ms Kate Fotheringham, chief of staff at WIN TV News Central West NSW, will deliver the Occasional Address. University Medal winner Mr Martin Stevens will deliver the student Vote of Thanks.3pm Friday 16 December - approximately 255 graduates from the Faculty of Arts and Education and 791 guests:School of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Education, School of Teacher Education, School of Indigenous Australian Studies, School of Information Studies, Division of Student Learning - Academic Success UnitHonorary doctorate recipient Mr Laurence Crawford will deliver the Occasional Address. Mr Claudio Dionigi will deliver the student Vote of Thanks.