Internationally renowned early childhood researcher, Professor Adam Winsler, from George Mason University in the USA, will deliver two public lectures at Charles Sturt University in Dubbo on April 23 and 24. The first lecture, Private speech, Scaffolding, and Self-Regulation in typical children and Children with ADHD and/or Autism, will examine the role of children’s ‘self talk’ in the development of self-regulation. “Children often talk to themselves during play or problem solving situations,” Professor Winsler said. “Such private speech is thought to play an important role in the development of self-regulation and in the transfer of autonomy/responsibility from others (teachers, parents) to the self.” The second lecture will examine Long-term associations between children's school readiness and later outcomes in school, and long-term effects of a culturally sensitive preschool literacy intervention. Professor Winsler’s research has been represented in more than 80 publications and he is the author of several books on early childhood education and development.

Students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo will participate in a simulated car crash rescue organised by health promotion services at CSU for Drug and Alcohol Awareness Month. Police, ambulance, and fire and rescue crews will be on hand to free student actors 'trapped' in the car to demonstrate how occupants are cut out of the wreckage following a crash. Health promotion officer Ms Kirsten Bourke said the re-enactment was made to be as realistic as possible. “We've got students as actors and it’s as though they have actually been in a drink driving crash,” Miss Bourke said. “We are really trying to drive home the message that you need a plan B to get home and if you are going to go out and decide to drink and drive, this could very well be the outcome. Re-enactments have already taken place at CSU in Orange and Dubbo, and Ms Bourke said the month’s focus was on raising awareness of drink driving through events including health promotion bar nights, drug awareness movie nights, and Australia’s biggest morning tea.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is making up to $150 000 available for staff and student projects to help the University reduce its environmental footprint. Sustainability Grants are awarded by CSU Green annually as part of  the University’s commitment to reduce energy and water use, increase biodiversity, cut solid waste, and support research into sustainability. An extra $50 000 is being made available this year for one large project to help the University reach its sustainability goals. Co-ordinator of Partnerships with CSU Green, Ms Nicola Smith, said the program aims to educate and promote cultural change. “Applications for the grants have increased each year with more exciting and engaging projects,” she said. “It has increased the knowledge of environmental and social sustainability issues as well as providing an outlet for staff and students to develop social and professional networks.” Past projects include a student and community-run produce garden, a sustainable film festival and a project to increase good waste management practises within student residences. Applications are open until 5pm on Friday 28 June.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will celebrate its connection with the Dubbo community on Thursday 18 July with a series of flags that will be unfurled along Macquarie Street in the town centre. The flags will encourage the Western Plains residents of NSW to ‘Discover your true potential’ and revolve around the theme it’s time to live, learn and grow with CSU. Head of Campus at CSU in Dubbo, Dr Beverley Moriarty said the University had established a strong relationship with the Dubbo community over the past 20 years. “Charles Sturt University has been pleased to be a part of such a strong and vibrant community for almost two decades now, and the flags are our way of saying ‘we look forward to continuing that journey together’,” she said. Dr Moriarty and Dubbo Mayor Mr Mathew Dickerson will attend an official launch of the flags 11am on Thursday 18 July at the Rotunda, Macquarie Street, Dubbo.

Twenty Charles Sturt University (CSU) students from Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange and Wagga Wagga will receive scholarships worth more than $100 000 from the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) Foundation during a ceremony on Thursday 18 July. The RAS Foundation awarded 49 Rural Scholarships in 2013 – a record number – with recipients coming from various educational institutions across NSW. The CSU students are studying a range of courses including agricultural science, agricultural business management, education, equine science, journalism, medical radiation science, physiotherapy and veterinary science. RAS Foundation Rural Scholarships support students who are undertaking post-high school study or training, show a passion for rural issues and who are committed to playing a part in shaping the future of rural and regional NSW. The ceremony will be held on Thursday 18 July from 6pm to 8.30pm at the National Wine and Grape Centre, building 412, McKeown Drive, CSU in Wagga Wagga.

A key Charles Sturt University (CSU) researcher has been returned to the Grains Research and Development Corporation’s (GDRC) Southern Regional Panel for the next two years. Associate Professor of Food Science Chris Blanchard from the School of Biomedical Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga is the Deputy Chair of the Panel. The CSU academic is one of 11 members appointed until 2015. The Regional Panels link the Corporation with growers, researchers, scientists, agribusiness and grower groups. Southern Regional Panel Chair, Mr Keith Pengilley, described the Panels as, “very important in ensuring grower concerns, ideas and priorities are fed into GRDC”. Associate Professor Blanchard is also a member of the Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation - an alliance between CSU and NSW DPI.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) Professor of Applied Ecology Geoff Gurr will address one of the world’s most urgent challenges when he delivers the Poggendorff Lecture for 2013 as part of National Science Week. The biennial lecture is an initiative of the Royal Society of NSW in honour of Walter Hans George Poggendorff, the eminent Australian agriculturalist and member of the society, and covers agriculture in a broad sense. Professor Gurr, from CSU in Orange, will address the topic ‘Biodiversity and the future of agriculture’. “One of the greatest challenges the world is facing right now is how we plan to feed the estimated population of 9 billion by 2050,” he said. “Not only do we have to meet that challenge, we have to do it in the face of declining availability of good-quality land and water, and the need to preserve biodiversity to provide critical ecosystem services.” Professor Gurr will draw on his international research program to explain how biodiversity can be harnessed to provide effective pest suppression and illustrate how on-farm biodiversity can advantage growers and the wider community.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is encouraging students to pack their bags to work, travel and study overseas as part of their university degree. Representatives of CSU Global, an initiative to help students to take up international study experiences, will meet with staff and students in Albury-Wodonga, Dubbo, Orange and Wagga Wagga over the next week. Manager of CSU Global Dr Shevahn Telfser said students can undertake international exchanges, short term study programs and practical placements. “In 2012 more than 340 Charles Sturt University students included an international experience as part of their degree and so far more than 250 students have travelled overseas this year,” she said. “This expands their horizons, builds contacts and gives them a competitive edge in the job market.” CSU aims to have 18 per cent or more than 700 undergraduate students undertake international study experiences by 2016.

A program to advance Charles Sturt University (CSU) as a leader in higher education teaching and learning will be launched in Bathurst on Tuesday 17 September. CSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Garry Marchant, said, “Given the ongoing growth of student numbers and evolution of the higher education sector due to theoretical and technological developments, the launch of ‘Smart Learning’ will enable a stronger professionalised teaching focus to improve student engagement and maintain high-quality teaching standards at the University. With the implementation of Smart Learning, Charles Sturt University will lead the way in higher education learning and teaching innovation.” Information about Smart Learning and the next steps in establishing this program will be presented at the launch at The Grange, CSU in Bathurst at 3pm on Tuesday 17 September.