Bathurst will once again be “humming” this week to the sound of V8 Supercars. Tomorrow, Wednesday 4 October, two of the official Fujitsu V8 Supercar Championship drivers, David Clark from Optima Sport, and Michael Caruso from Decina Racing, will drive simulated laps of Mount Panorama in the computer games laboratory which is part of Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Information Technology. Paull Young from BAM Media, which looks after several V8 Supercar teams said it is like the real thing. “Michael hasn’t driven at Bathurst before, and David hasn’t driven a V8 Supercar around Mount Panorama, so their first experience of the Bathurst track will be in the computer lab.” As well, CSU lecturer in Computer Science Errol Chopping, says the computer games lab is well fitted out with enhanced graphics PCs, game consoles, a large fixed silver projection screen, high powered projectors, audio systems, joysticks and steering wheels. “The lab is used to research feedback which the user gets through feel, touch and motion, rather than eyes and ears. For example, we are hoping to mirror an experiment that was done in the United States about untrained pilots flying into cloud. They have a life span of about 147 seconds because they lose spatial orientation and they don’t believe their instruments. They go into graveyard spins and spiral dives because they have no feedback from their eyes.”

  Earlier this month, Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Women’s Hockey team picked up a gold medal at the inaugural East Coast Challenge University Games. CSU’s Men’s Hockey won silver despite being a man down for most of the competition, while the Men’s Water Polo team came away with bronze. Nik Granger, a student support officer, said this was the first time CSU had competed as one university with a team of 70 students representing Albury, Wagga Wagga, Bathurst and Dubbo campuses. “Overall, seeing as we had such a small team, the atmosphere was fantastic,” he said. CSU also had first year distance education Master of Applied Science (Library and Information Management) student Lisa Matuzelis competing in the Australian University Championships for Surfing at the Gold Coast. She came away with silver and bronze and a typically laconic surfer attitude: “I would have liked to have come first, but I’m pretty happy with the result. I can’t complain,” she said.

A senior Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic has used an international forum to argue for the expansion of community development in the Asia Pacific region to tackle major socio-economic problems such as extreme poverty, lack of education, and environmental unsustainability. Professor Manohar Pawar of the CSU School of Humanities and Social Sciences was a main speaker at the International Association for Community Development conference. “Many countries policies suggest that those people and institutions with most influence, referred to as ‘top down’, are poised to develop communities at all levels. The capacity of ordinary communities need to be developed to match the ‘top downs’ readiness,” said Professor Pawar. “It is a challenging but not impossible task. If we sincerely search, I believe we will find answers to these challenges within the diversity of the region.”

Third year Early Childhood students enrolled in Child Language and Literacy 2 at Charles Sturt University (CSU) are providing one-on-one reading tuition to Stage One children at Buninyong Public School. Working with students at their identified level of development, this nine week individual literacy program targets learning in the areas of reading and writing. “This individual attention has resulted in individual improvement,” says CSU School of Teacher Education lecturer Maria Bennet. Ms Bennet explains the children have developed in confidence and are moving towards independence in strategy application. “Writing skills have improved and developed, with more elaborated thoughts, improved spelling and attention to the construction of ideas.” The program has benefited CSU students who have gained valuable hands-on experience and professional development. This program has provided students with an opportunity to work with literacy and develop their understanding of this area.

At its final meeting for 2008 on Thursday 18 December, the University Council of Charles Sturt University (CSU) congratulated Associate Professor David McKinnon and Dr Lena Danaia from the School of Teacher  Education for winning a prestigious 2008 Australian Award for University Teaching. The Chancellor of CSU, Mr Lawrie Willett, AO, said “The Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) award reflects the dedication and expertise of Professor McKinnon and Dr Danaia, and that of their School, the Faculty of Education and the whole University. We are proud of their contributions to the education of the professions for our regions and the nation. This award reflects Charles Sturt University’s mission to provide education and research to national and international standards, for the people of inland Australia.” Read more about the ALTC award here.

Jane Mills, a media practitioner with extensive industry experience, has joined the Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Communication as Associate Professor in Communications, Research and Teaching. The Head of School, Associate Professor Rod McCulloch, welcomed the appointment of Professor Mills, saying it is a major step in the development of the School’s higher degree programs and adds considerable depth to the professional and practical experience the School brings to its research and teaching. “Jane’s teaching experience includes film, television, digital media, documentary, radio and journalism, an interdisciplinary approach that will be fundamental to her teaching role within the School,” said Professor McCulloch. Dr Mills’ career roles include Head of Screen Studies at the Australian Film Television and Radio School, arts program presenter for Granada Television in the United Kingdom, and a producer for BBC and Channel 4. She has also been a freelance journalist for The Guardian, The Daily Mirror and The Sunday Times.

The national flag of China will again fly at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Bathurst on Thursday 12 February when a high level delegation from the Yunnan University of Finance and Economics (YUFE) in Kunming, China visits the University. The Dean of CSU’s Faculty of Business, Professor John Hicks, said the visit is an important link in the further development of relations with the tertiary education sector in China. “CSU is well placed to provide its expertise across a range of courses, particularly in business, and this visit will help strengthen the excellent relationship that the University has already established with YUFE,” Professor Hicks said. “Despite the global financial crisis, China remains an important trading partner for Australia. China has a dynamic higher education sector, and both CSU and YUFE benefit from the partnership that has been established.”

Two high level delegations from universities in China and South Korea will visit Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Bathurst on Monday 16 February to consolidate links with the national university of inland Australia. The Acting Vice-Chancellor and President of CSU, Professor Lyn Gorman, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Ross Chambers, will each host one of the visiting delegations from Dali University in China, and from Hannam University in South Korea. Professor Gorman said, “The University welcomes the opportunities these visits present to build on existing linkages and extend CSU’s involvement in international education with partners in China and South Korea.” The Dali University delegation will discuss a range of issues relating to areas of cooperation with CSU, including research, academic staff visits, as well as a specific articulation arrangement in Information Technology. Hannam University officials will explore ways in which CSU can enhance the courses and teaching at Hannam University. Professor Chambers said, “CSU has had a long-standing relationship with Hannam University since 2003, and this visit builds on that relationship. We will discuss programs for teachers of English, and doctoral programs in theology.” This will be the first visit to CSU by the new President of Hannam University, Dr Hyungtae Kim.

The planned State visit to Australia and to Charles Sturt University (CSU) on Saturday 14 February by His Excellency the President of Timor-Leste, Dr José Ramos-Horta, has been postponed due to the ongoing natural disasters in Australia, including the devastating bushfires in Victoria. The Acting Vice-Chancellor of CSU, Professor Lyn Gorman, said that the University has been advised by representatives of the President that, after consultation with the Office of the Governor-General of Australia, the visit will be postponed to a mutually convenient time later this year. Professor Gorman said, “We fully understand the position of the President and thank him for his wishes for the victims of the Victorian bushfires. We thank the President for his commitment to reschedule his visit later in the year and look forward to welcoming him at that time. Given that this visit was to be the inaugural event of CSU’s 20th anniversary year, the celebrations will now begin with the Official Opening Ceremony at CSU at Wagga Wagga on Thursday 12 March.”