At the Junior Robotics Workshop held at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange today, Tuesday 30 November, students and teachers from five schools across the region have learnt to build a rescue robot. The coordinator of the workshop, Mr Allen Benter, a PhD student and researcher at the CSU Centre for Research in Complex Systems (CRiCS) in Bathurst, said, “Charles Sturt University is now the official sponsor of the RoboCup Junior Challenge in the NSW Central West, following its strong support for the event in recent years. The RoboCup Junior Challenge was a huge success last year when it was held at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst. We have an opportunity to make it even bigger and better in Orange.” The workshop gave students and teachers from schools in Orange, Bathurst, Canowindra, and Crookwell a chance to learn the basics of robot building in preparation for the competition in June 2011. They constructed a robot using Lego and wrote programming on computers for their robot to perform a rescue along a track. “It’s very exciting to now see this developing field is so enthusiastically embraced by school students and teachers in the region,” Mr Benter said.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange is one step closer in its quest to recover 70 per cent of the solid waste generated on campus by 2014, with the completion of its new recycling plan. CSU had already re-tendered its waste collection contracts and redesigned the system of large collection bins on the campus, and has now introduced separate recycling and general waste bins throughout the staff areas and student residences. Campus Services Manager Mr Mark Chapman said the campus generated about six tonnes of solid waste a month, and the changes were designed to increase the share of waste recovered for recycling. “We currently recycle about half a tonne of mixed waste and another half a tonne of cardboard each month, or nearly 20 per cent,” he said. “The roll-out of separate bins will help us improve on this figure and work towards achieving our target.” The 70 per cent target is an initiative of CSU Green, which is responsible for coordinating the University’s sustainability efforts across all its campuses. Co-mingled recycling is now available on most campuses and drop-off points for recycling mobile phones are also available, with charities benefiting from the proceeds.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange has welcomed the return of its second-year physiotherapy students after they completed placements in clinics around the region. Physiotherapy lecturer Ms Kay Skinner from CSU’s School of Community Health said the course, now in its third year at CSU in Orange, has been enthusiastically supported by health services across NSW. “This is the third year of the four-year degree, so we will have our first graduates at the end of 2013,” she said. “But we have already developed strong connections in the region with health services that have traditionally had trouble finding enough physiotherapists to meet demand.” The most recent placements were designed to allow students to focus on mobility enhancement, including assisting patients regain mobility following surgery or a fall, or helping pediatric patients with limited mobility. “Physiotherapists often work with patients recovering from surgery or an accident and are a key part of the health system,” Ms Skinner said. “There is always very strong demand for physiotherapists in rural and regional NSW, and one of the great advantages of basing this course in Orange is that students who have spent four years in the region are much more likely to live and work here after graduation.”

There is nothing worse than ending up in the emergency room with food poisoning on Christmas day and it is just as bad being the host who provides the food. To ensure it doesn’t happen to you this Christmas Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Biomedical Sciences food microbiology lecturer, Dr Ester Mpandi Khosa has some food safety suggestions. “From a microbiological point of view, food poisoning is a very serious illness,” Dr Khosa says. “Micro-organisms growing on food can cause food-borne illness, which in some reported cases, has resulted in death of the victim.” This is the time of year when a large quantity of food is processed, purchased and consumed, creating a huge potential for food poisoning, if the food is not handled properly. “Every food handler, from farm to table, has a responsibility to make sure food is kept safe from contamination that can lead to food poisoning. The food that one handles is going to be consumed by someone else so it is important to make sure that hands are washed thoroughly, surfaces and utensils are clean and foods are stored at the correct temperature.”

Research into the behaviour of the world’s fastest bird cannot continue without state-of-the-art equipment, according to researchers at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange, which has gained intimate access to the Peregrine Falcon. “The Peregrine Falcon is one of the world’s most iconic species and we believe our research will provide the closest 24 hour surveillance of this creature available anywhere on the globe,” says CSU’s Dr Cilla Kinross. A family of Peregrine Falcons is enjoying its third year of nesting in a specially-built box placed in the University’s water tower and, with the dedication of Dr Kinross and information technology specialist Mr Scott Banks, concealed camera equipment has been set up next to the bird’s nest. “We can view the birds’ behaviour, but we need more sophisticated equipment, including recording software, if we are to take the next step in our research,” Dr Kinross said. “We can gather fundamental information on these creatures that will be internationally regarded, but we need the right tools to do it.” Better equipment will also enable the public to watch the birds on the Internet.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) students will be looking to continue the University's unbeaten record against Sydney University when they host the 2013 Roland Bryant Cup competition on Saturday 18 May. The cup is named in honour of Professor Roland Bryant, who teaches at both institutions, and pits the dental schools of each university against the other in four sports. Students compete in mixed touch football, women’s and men’s soccer, men’s basketball and women’s netball. CSU’s School of Dentistry and Health Sciences in Orange has won the cup in each year since the competition began in 2010. The competition is designed to forge collaborative links and friendships between CSU and Sydney University and has been contested in excellent spirit on each occasion. The day will include a variety of social events, along with the sporting contests.

More than 100 dental health professionals from across the state will visit Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange as the School of Dentistry and Health Sciences hosts its first professional development day. Associate Head of School, Dr Sabrina Manickam, said the event was an important step in the maturation of CSU’s dentistry program. “This is an important year for the school as our first graduates will complete their studies and go out into the community as working dentists,” she said. “And as our undergraduate program nears completion, it allows us to increase our involvement in research, postgraduate education and continuing professional development.” The event will be co-hosted by the Australian Dental Association NSW Western Division (ADA NSW) and the Australian Dental Prosthestists Association (ADPA), and is sponsored by Henry Schein Halas. Head of the School of Dentistry and Health Sciences, Professor David Wilson, and senior lecturer, Dr Ram Prabhu, will deliver a session on oral pathology and signs of oral cancer, and other sessions will be delivered by ADPA, ADA NSW and Henry Shein Halas delegates.  

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will host two MyDay information events on Monday 15 April for senior high school students interested to study communication subjects in Bathurst and dentistry and allied health subjects in Orange. The MyDay in Bathurst will help students explore careers in advertising, commercial radio, journalism, sports journalism, public relations, and theatre/media through the School of Communication and Creative Industries. In Orange, the MyDay will profile dentistry at the School of Dentistry and Health Sciences, pharmacy and clinical science at the School of Biomedical Sciences and physiotherapy through the School of Community Health. CSU prospective student adviser, Ms Fran Dwyer, said, “MyDay offers Year 11-12 students the opportunity to find out about the courses available and to experience a day in the life of a university student ‘living and learning’ on campus. The day will involve hands on activities, tours of facilities, and up-to-date information about courses, international study options, and the application process. Students will also get the opportunity to talk to current students and academic staff.” Both MyDay events will be from 10am to 2pm on Monday 15 April, with concurrent information session for parents. Students need to register their interest online at www.csu.edu.au/myday or phone 6338 6010.

High school students in the NSW Mid-North Coast, central and southern NSW and regional Victoria can learn vital life skills while running a simulated business in an online game to be hosted by Charles Sturt University’s Faculty of Business. The GameOn! organisers at CSU are now calling for teams of Years 10 and 11 students from high schools around regional NSW and Victoria to participate in the game in 2013. The game was first staged in 2012. “The student teams will make vital business decisions about marketing, human resources, operations and finance for an online, simulated business. Apart from developing problem-solving skills in their businesses, GameOn allows students to develop important life skills such as leadership, group work, critical thinking, negotiation and time management,” said GameOn coordinator Dr Abbey Dwivedi.  Teams will need to be nominated by the extended deadline of Friday 5 April, with eight rounds of ‘decisions’ to be made during the year and winning teams due to be announced in September 2013.