The CSU Media team welcomes you to 2010. We hope you had a safe and enjoyable holiday season, and that the year ahead is a healthy one.

Starting school can be exciting and, perhaps, a little scary – and that’s just for parents. Two senior education researchers at Charles Sturt University (CSU) have developed guidelines to help parents, teachers and children as they start school. “Starting school is an important milestone in the lives of children and families. If children have a successful start to school, they are likely to stay connected to school and regard it as a positive place to be,” says Professor Bob Perry from CSU. Drawing on over 15 years of research, Professor Perry and Professor Sue Dockett, who research and teach at the University’s Murray School of Education, have led the way for parents and teachers on how to help all involved feel competent and confident when children start school.

While managers put much energy into improving business performance by investing in innovation, increasing product and service quality or through expansion, little effort is given to improving the culture which is the backbone of every organisation’s operation. A Swiss graduate from Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Doctor of Business Administration program says carefully managing organisational culture can positively influence the company’s bottom line. Dr Patric Maerki is the first graduate to complete his studies through a partnership with CSU and the University of Applied Science in Bern, Switzerland. He devised a way to help manage the aspects of corporate culture influencing business performance. “My research into companies in five different industries showed that corporate culture values such as freedom, risk taking, open and shared communication, and respecting employees can be used to enhance operational performance in innovation, organisational alignment and customer orientation, and to increase profits,” said Dr Maerki. CSU’s distance education program attracted Dr Maerki as he could balance his business commitments with the demands of completing a doctorate while receiving support from a Swiss supervisor.

New figures released by Charles Sturt University (CSU) show significant savings for the environment in the management of its vehicle fleet. The data prepared by CSU’s Division of Finance reveals that although the distance travelled by CSU vehicles on official business rose last year by eight per cent, from 6.3 million kilometres in 2008 to 6.8 million, the amount of fuel consumed dropped from 664 000 litres in 2008 to 580 000 in 2009, a decline of 84 000 litres or over 12 per cent. “The carbon emissions saved through the greater efficiency of the University’s vehicle fleet is about 380 tonnes of carbon - the equivalent of taking 88 cars off the road for 2009,” said CSU Green Manager, Mr William Adlong. CSU vehicles are used to support staff on official University business including travelling between campuses in five major NSW regional centres as well as in Canberra, Goulburn and Sydney. “We hope to improve these figures with staff encouraged to consider using practical alternatives to travelling between campuses, such as video-conferencing, or sharing vehicles.” Over 60 per cent of CSU’s transport fleet are lower emission vehicles, such as four cylinder petrol, gas, diesel or hybrid.

The earthquake and tsunami that hit Chile on Sunday 28 February are reminders of the harshness of nature and the need for governments, emergency services and relief agencies to plan for natural disasters, says an expert in disaster management from Charles Sturt University (CSU). Mr Ian Manock, lecturer in emergency management at CSU’s Australian Graduate School of Policing, said that with a burgeoning world population and in spite of increasing technology, research shows that the incidence of damage to facilities and harm to people from the impact of natural and technological hazards is increasing exponentially. He said the disaster will no doubt have emergency service agencies in Chile pushed beyond their limits and the international community will be called on to assist.

The Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Theology has called for papers for presentation at an ageing and spirituality conference it will host in Canberra from 28 September to 1 October. Reverend Professor Elizabeth MacKinlay, AM, Director of the Centre for Ageing and Pastoral Studies (CAPS) at CSU, said the Fifth National CAPS Conference, Ageing and Spirituality: Resistance, Resilience and Change, will bring practitioners, researchers and older people together to share and examine ageing and positive well-being in later life. “We will examine the integration of spiritual care into holistic programs of care for older adults, including issues of chronic ill health, disability and resilience in later life, and the changes experienced in ageing related to loss and grief. There will be a focus on finding meaning in life and coping with the changes of ageing, especially psychosocial, emotional and spiritual changes, as well as the use of story in supporting continued growth, well-being and resilience in later life, and contemporary information and skill sharing strategies for working with people who have dementia and their carers.” The closing date for paper abstracts is Monday 15 March.

Through a new initiative between Charles Sturt University (CSU) and its TAFE partners, a number of TAFE graduates have secured scholarships to help them begin study at CSU. Ms Belinda Wallis, a former Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) student, has commenced CSU’s Vocational Education and Training degree program after completing an Advanced Diploma in Adult Vocational Education at CIT. “The University Pathways Scholarship is a fantastic opportunity and I hope to make both Charles Sturt University and CIT proud,” she said. Ms Wallis is one of 10 former TAFE students to win scholarships in 2010 provided by the University through the CSU University Pathways Scholarship. This program is in partnership with CIT, Riverina Institute and TAFE Western. CIT Acting Chief Executive Mr Peter Kowald said the CSU scholarships would allow more people to access further education. “By getting a scholarship the obstacle is gone and the doorway is open to a better career due to having a higher qualification.” CSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Ross Chambers said the program is part of the University’s ongoing commitment to create strong education pathways and collaboration from TAFE to University in its regions.

The effective management of diabetes, one of Australia’s major health problems, will come through input from a range of health professionals, not just a general practitioner (GP), says Professor of Rural and Remote Pharmacy Patrick Ball of Charles Sturt University (CSU). In response to the Federal Government’s plan to keep the growing number of diabetics out of hospital, Professor Ball said one-on-one professional input from diabetes educators, dietitians, pharmacists, physiotherapists and exercise physiologists are needed to tackle the health problem. “While additional resources are welcome, the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s plan seems to lack a clear appreciation of how the outcomes will best be delivered, particularly in inland Australia,” Professor Ball said. “While the GP must always be kept in the information loop, routing all the resources through already over-worked general practices is unlikely to be the best way to achieve the outcomes for which the government is aiming.” Professor Ball believes the successful control of Type 2 Diabetes requires that the diabetic takes their prescribed treatment but successful management also requires a change of diet and lifestyle.  “This has to come from the person, the family and the community.  How can one person change their diet if the rest of their household will not?  How can people walk more if we don’t have safe streets and pavements?” questioned Professor Ball.

Representatives of the older generation of Indigenous Christian leaders will lead discussions on the theme of ‘Christianity and Indigenous Culture and Spirituality’ at the Charles Sturt University (CSU) 2010 Pastor Cec Grant (Wongamar) Lecture on Friday 23 April. CSU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Ross Chambers, said, “This lecture was established by Charles Sturt University, the Wiradjuri Council of Elders, and the Wiradjuri Christian Development Ministries to honour the memory and contribution of Pastor Cec Grant, or Wongamar. Wongamar was a leading Wiradjuri leader who played a very important part in the development of Indigenous education at CSU,” Professor Chambers said. “The theme of the third annual lecture reflects a major element in Wongamar's life, work and vision.” The 2010 lecture will be led by Mrs Edna Stewart, Miss Jean Phillips, Pastor Ossie Cruse and Mr Avon Moyle. Pastor Darren Wighton will lead the singing and other worship. The service will feature stories, reflections on the ways in which Indigenous nations developed their own ministers and leaders, the challenges faced in doing so, and the contribution these leaders made to strengthening Indigenous cultures and communities.