The Austrade Export Award for the best international marketing plan by a student enrolled at a NSW-based university has been won by Ms Michelle Hasler, a Charles Sturt University (CSU) distance education student enrolled in a Bachelor of Business (Marketing). Lecturer at CSU’s School of Marketing and Management Ms Katherine Attree said, “The preparation of an international marketing plan is a requirement for the compulsory subject International Marketing in the Bachelor of Business (Marketing). Michelle undertook an enormous amount of research and prepared a very comprehensive and detailed plan that analysed the viability of entry into the New Zealand marketplace as a first international venture for a small South Australian company, Wellness & Lifestyle, which operates in the allied health industry. She thoroughly deserves the $500 award for a NSW student entry.” Ms Hasler said, “I found the process very challenging and a very valuable learning experience.”

The appointment of receivers to manage the private childcare operator ABC Learning Centres represents a prime opportunity for the Rudd government to make right the mistakes of the past, according to a Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic. The childcare operator yesterday went into voluntary administration with the receivers assuring parents that the centres will remain open. “Many early childhood experts had expressed concern about the growing monopoly of ABC, particularly in regional areas,” said Senior Lecturer with the CSU School of Teacher Education Ms Fran Press. “The Commonwealth should show leadership by brokering a deal between the three levels of government and the community sector to ensure the survival of childcare places. Not only would this ensure the retention of much needed childcare places, it would put them in a good position to work toward the fulfilment of election promises concerning the provision of early childhood education.” The fact ABC currently has about 30 per cent of long day care places in Australia is unusual. “No other country entrusts so much childcare to just one provider,” said Ms Press.

For NSW senior high school students, the Higher School Certificate is the ultimate challenge and when competing against thousands of other students for limited university places, the more resources they can access the better. In the past, the Internet has not been seen as a consistently credible source of information for materials, but now teachers are encouraging students to get extra help online. In 2007, the Charles Sturt University (CSU) hosted website NSW HSC Online delivered 13 million pages to users, offering information to students, teachers and parents, with 2008 figures indicating even higher access, despite slightly fewer HSC enrolments. CSU lecturer and NSW HSC Online project coordinator Mr Bob Dengate believes that students and teachers benefit greatly from the site. "With material for 48 HSC subjects, supplemented by advice on study strategies and the availability of past examination papers and markers' comments, figures for this month are expected to approach two million pages."

Educators have recently begun to rethink the value of the tradition of homework, particularly for primary and middle school aged children. Is homework useful? Should our children do homework at all? If so, what would constitute quality homework for children? A free public lecture in Harden on Wednesday 15 October by Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturer Dr Tracey Smith will use the example of mathematics to address all of these questions. It will explore perceptions about mathematics, how it is learned most effectively and how parents can help their children learn mathematics. “I will also examine how mathematics homework might be more meaningfully developed to enhance learning opportunities at home rather than create a battle zone for parents and their children,” said Dr Smith.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will be well represented at a national education forum in Melbourne on Monday 13 October. The National Curriculum Board Science Forum is being held to develop a national science curriculum for Australian schools in 2011. Third year science teaching student Ms Lisa Davis from Wagga Wagga will attend the forum with Dr Colin Boylan, a senior lecturer with CSU’s School of Education, also in Wagga Wagga. They will be among the 150 delegates from across Australia. The National Curriculum Board has begun a series of consultations for input into a national curriculum in English, mathematics, the sciences and history, for school students from kindergarten to Year 12.“Participation in such a forum is a rare opportunity and to have a staff member Dr Colin Boylan and student Lisa Davis both heading for Melbourne is an acknowledgement of the University’s engagement with the wider professional and policy bodies that help to shape education in Australia,” said Head of the School of Education, Associate Professor Roslin Brennan-Kemmis.

Plans by Charles Sturt University (CSU) to invest tens of millions of dollars in infrastructure for inland Australia in coming years will be delivered directly to the construction and building industry during briefings this month. Hosted by CSU’s Division of Facilities Management (DFM), the industry briefings will be held in Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 24 September and in Bathurst on Tuesday 30 September. “The briefings allow us to talk directly with local and national building professionals, contractors and consultants that are interested in partnering with CSU to deliver the extensive infrastructure investment across our campuses,” said Mr Stephen Butt, Executive Director of DFM. “The University’s programs of Veterinary Science in Wagga Wagga and Dentistry in Orange and Wagga Wagga are well advanced but we also have plans that include major refurbishment of teaching spaces and laboratories across the campuses, construction of student amenities and facilities, office upgrades and improvements to sporting facilities,” said Mr Butt. “The University Strategy is supported by between $150 million to $175 million dollars worth of capital expenditure over the next three to five years.” A recent national call for expressions of interest for the registration on the University’s ‘Multi Vendor List’ prompted 400 companies to download documents from CSU.

Dubbo residents interested in a career in nursing are invited to attend an information session on Wednesday 25 June at the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Dubbo Campus. Ms Cathy Maginnis, Bachelor of Nursing academic advisor at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, said the evening for students, parents, teachers, career advisors, TAFE students and interested members of the community will include presentations from representatives from CSU, TAFE, and Greater Western Area Health Service. “The presentations will cover topics such as why choose nursing as a career, career paths in nursing, articulation and pathways to nursing and studying nursing at university,” she said. The speakers and current CSU nursing students will be available after the presentation to answer questions and discuss study and career options.

Dubbo families will soon benefit from the skills and support of a very talented woman who was recently nominated for the 2008 Western Institute TAFE Outstanding Graduating Student Awards. Ms Jill Morris, who is co-enrolled in a Bachelor of Social Work between Dubbo TAFE and Charles Sturt University (CSU), is hoping to work with families in the Dubbo area after she graduates and is especially interested in early intervention and prevention strategies. At the TAFE Institutes’ Awards luncheon, held last week, CSU was given special mention in relation to Ms Morris who fitted her studies around part-time work and the responsibilities of caring for her family.

Students from around Australia and overseas will gather with families and friends at Parramatta in western Sydney on Friday 13 June to graduate from the Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Theology. Almost 100 students will receive their undergraduate and postgraduate awards from CSU, which is the largest provider of theological studies in the Asia Pacific region. Professor Tom Frame, Head of the School of Theology said that the University has become a premier venue for theological learning and research in Australia. “The collaboration between St Mark’s National Theological Centre in Canberra and the United Theological College brings a very significant ecumenical focus to bear on a range of disciplines including biblical studies, ethical reflection and pastoral care. The increasing number of students graduating with postgraduate degrees is particularly encouraging as we seek to meet the needs of Australian churches, educational institutions, welfare organisations and the health care sector,” he said. CSU Chancellor, Mr Lawrence Willett, AO, will preside over the graduation ceremony. The Occasional Address will be delivered by theologian Emeritus Professor Peter Matheson, of Knox Theological Hall, Otago, New Zealand. The Lord Mayor of Parramatta, Councillor Paul Barber, will be a special guest at the ceremony.