Former and current police officers and school teachers are sought to participate in Charles Sturt University (CSU) research about decision-making in their careers. The study by Ms Loene Howes, a psychology student and a teacher for 14 years, will focus on the career decision-making of police officers and teachers who stay in these professions or enter new careers. “In particular, I need former school teachers and police officers who have gone into other fields, as well as current police officers and school teachers, to complete an anonymous online survey,” said Ms Howes. "The survey usually takes 10 to 30 minutes to complete, depending on how many questions are relevant to the experience of the individual completing the survey. I hope my research will be of use to police officers and teachers considering career change, counsellors assisting police officers and teachers with career transitions, and police and education departments in addressing the needs of staff and keeping experienced staff in the professions.” The survey can be found here. 

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo will host special visitors and a public lecture in the weeks ahead. Head of Campus, Dr Bev Moriarty, said the Dubbo Men’s Probus club will visit the campus on Tuesday 2 August to inspect University facilities, including the new CSU Dental Clinic. “I’m also delighted that two representatives from Dubbo City Council’s sister-city, Minokamo, in Japan, Mr Ryohei Sago, a retired head master, and Ms Hiroe Yamauchi, an elementary school teacher, will tour the campus and the CSU Dental Clinic on Wednesday 3 August,” Dr Moriarty said. “And on Wednesday 10 August, the University will host a free public lecture, Water, Drought and Climate Change, by Professor David Mitchell from the CSU School of Environmental Sciences and Institute for Land, Water and Society. This very interesting and relevant topic is already attracting strong local interest from around Dubbo.”

A free public lecture at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo on Wednesday 10 August will explore the growing awareness that many of the procedures routinely used to manage water resources can be inappropriate for Australian landscapes. Head of Campus, Dr Bev Moriarty, said the public lecture, titled Water, Drought and Climate Change, will be presented by renowned wetland scientist Professor David Mitchell from the CSU School of Environmental Sciences in Albury-Wodonga. “It’s a privilege to have Professor Mitchell address environmental topics of such importance to people in this region,” Dr Moriarty said. “Professor Mitchell will examine the growing concern that profound climatic changes can potentially undermine many of the strategies used to sustain agricultural output for domestic consumption and for export. Australia, he says, has the benefit of a relatively low population density, which will assist us to make the necessary adjustments for changes in a climate that is already characterised by significant variability.” The public lecture starts at 6pm Wednesday 10 August at the Lecture Theatre (Room 422) at CSU in Dubbo.

Students from high schools across western NSW will be at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo on Tuesday 16 August as they consider studying education, nursing, social work and business at CSU. The Years 10 and 11 students will take part in the University’s MyDay, an initiative where high school students can experience a day in the life of a university student. Focusing on the courses offered at the Dubbo campus, high school students will participate in a hands-on business simulation, teaching and learning ability assessments and those interested in a career in nursing will get a head start with some skills and techniques. The University will also host general information sessions on accommodation and financial support, and staff from CSU Global will discuss overseas study opportunities.

Commonwealth Learning Scholarships for Charles Sturt University (CSU) students studying on all CSU’s campuses in 2007 are now open for applications. The Federally-funded scholarships aim to improve access for students from geographically remote locations or lower socio-economic circumstances to a university education. The program includes accommodation scholarships worth over $4 000 per year for up to four years; and education scholarships worth over $2 000 per year for up to four years. In 2006 CSU students were successful in gaining 105 accommodation scholarships and 128 education scholarships. In addition the University has funded 30 new Professional Placement Equity Scholarships as part of the CSU’s leadership in practical and industry based training. The scholarships are aimed at assisting CSU students to take part in compulsory professional placements required for their courses. Applications for Professional Placement Scholarship support close on Friday 25 August. Worth a total of $30 000, each successful applicant is eligible for up to $1 000 each.

The annual Charles Sturt University (CSU) Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence will be presented at a ceremony at the University in Bathurst on Monday 5 September. The Vice-Chancellor and President of CSU, Professor Ian Goulter, said, “The 2011 Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence acknowledge the commitment, dedication and ongoing excellence demonstrated by both academic and professional staff across Charles Sturt University. I thank the award recipients for their efforts which collectively contribute to the continued success of the University.” The ceremony will start at 1pm at the James Hardie Room, Centre for Professional Development (S17) atCSU, Panorama Ave, Bathurst. A ceremony for the presentation of awards to CSU staff at its southern campuses was held on Monday 29 August.

In recognition of the 2011 'International Year of Chemistry', a public lecture hosted by Charles Sturt University (CSU) and Wagga Wagga City Council will explore how a series of seemingly unrelated chemical discoveries changed the course of history. Professor of Chemistry at Macquarie University in Sydney, Peter Karuso, will trace chemical connections from the humble shipworm to the discovery of antibiotics. "I'm hoping to show people how important chemistry is to their lives by showing how chemical discoveries have changed the course of history over and over again," he said. "Chemistry is so interesting and so powerful that it deserves the best and brightest minds. I hope in some small way to inspire young people and their parents to take an interest in things chemical as I am sure that chemistry will be at the heart of solutions to many of our current and future problems."

The largest-ever group of Charles Sturt University (CSU) students and staff will provide physiotherapy and first aid services during the 2011 Tour de Timor, which commences from the capital of Timor-Leste, Dili, on Sunday 11 September. Six CSU physiotherapy and three nursing students and three staff will follow the Tour ‘peloton’ for six days around the mountainous, 600 kilometre course, providing medical services for tired, sore or injured riders. The CSU coordinator, Mr Tim Retchford, said the CSU students will gain valuable professional experience “while working in challenging conditions in a beautiful, though undeveloped, country”. This is the third time CSU students have provided these services during the Tour de Timor. The students and staff leave for Dili on Sunday 4 September to prepare themselves and riders for the event, as well as visiting local medical facilities. Meanwhile, PhD student at CSU in Wagga Wagga, Ms Nicola Wunderlich will take leave during her research in East Timor to cycle in the 2011 Tour De Timor. Read more on CSU News here.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo is only weeks away from having new sports and recreational facilities. The $ 2.5 million project will boast a 400 square metre indoor area plus sports courts. “Charles Sturt University in Dubbo continues to expand with this construction,” says Head of Campus, Dr Beverley Moriarty. “The facility will not only contribute to the student experience Dubbo but will also enable us to hold larger functions and community events on campus.” CSU already boasts a networked library, clinical and nursing laboratories and an interactive learning centre which is an award-winning architectural achievement. Rawson Constructions began building the new facilities in March. The project is funded by CSU and the Australian Government's Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations' Voluntary Student Unionism Transition Fund for Sporting and Recreation Facilities.