To mark Adult Learners’ Week in September, Charles Sturt University (CSU) is recruiting for CSU Connect, a free bridging program that fast-tracks distance education students into undergraduate degree courses. Danielle Ranshaw, the StudyLink Program Coordinator at CSU Bathurst says CSU Connect came out of research into rural participation and attrition rates at university. “The idea is to get more people from the regions into the University and also adequately prepare students for study. CSU Connect takes people from a basic level to a fairly advanced level quite quickly.” Lisa Marr is one of the potential students who enrolled in the first CSU Connect program last year. “I saw a poster on a noticeboard in Mudgee. I wanted to go to university, but it has been a while since I left school. I know that if I had a degree, I might get the job I want and fulfil my life a bit more. I feel like I can meet the standard of university study now, that I can complete it and do very well at it.”

“Young people need no magic shields, swords and arrows to cope with the world of work,” according to Associate Professor Erica Smith, a specialist in vocation education and training from Charles Sturt University (CSU). Professor Smith says it is dangerous and futile to constantly make changes to the school curriculum in attempts to prepare young people better for the workplace. Her paper, The Land of Narnia or just the back of the wardrobe? What research tells us about the real world of work for young people will challenge many assumptions made about the nature of entry into work life for young people. Drawing from her national research, Professor Smith says the majority of young people have a realistic view of the labour market, hold sufficient skills to succeed and are able to move to full-time work seamlessly over a period of several years with no major difficulties. “The world of work, rather than being a strange land, difficult to enter, where battles are fought and special guides are needed, is a familiar and navigable place to young people,” she said. 

Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Equine Business Management might sound like all course work and no horseplay, but lecturer Amanda Warren-Smith says this is far from the case. Students regularly take part in competitions, especially one day eventing (ODE). Most recently, a ODE was held at the University’s Orange Campus on Sunday 29 October. Organised and conducted by all first year students of the Equine Business Management course, the day catered for riders who are just starting out in eventing through to those who are about to take the step into the international level of competition. Ms Warren-Smith says it is a very demanding sport comparable with a human triathlon. “The horse needs to be flexible and in-tune to the rider for dressage, have the speed and endurance necessary for cross country, and then be agile and controlled enough to complete a successful showjumping round.” CSU’s next horse competition will be held in March 2007.

It’s a long way from Milano, Italy to Borenore just outside Orange. Equine Business Management lecturer, Amanda Warren-Smith, has just returned from the second International Equitation Science Symposium which was held in Milano and explored the latest research in horse behaviour, training and welfare.  Amanda’s paper at the symposium, An audit of the application of the principles of equitation science by qualified accredited equestrian instructors in Australia looked at whether accredited equestrian instructors in Australia have an understanding of the principles of learning theory. The symposium was attended by almost 200 delegates from all over the world. From there it was straight to the Australian National Field Days (ANFD), where Ms Warren-Smith is assisting in the coordination of the ANFD Equine Expo.  The Expo gives Equine Business Management students a chance to use their event management skills as well as equestrian skills such as dressage and jumping acquired through their studies.

Last year, for the first time, India passed China in economic growth, when India’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by more than 8 per cent. The second quarter of 2006 saw a massive 8.9 per cent growth in the Indian economy. No wonder then that Charles Sturt University (CSU) will host a high profile seminar discussing trade between India and Australia tomorrow (18 October). Speakers such as Professor Kevin Parton, Head of School of Rural Management at CSU Orange will highlight future prospects for trade in areas ranging from agribusiness to minerals and service industries. “India certainly is becoming a much more important trade partner for Australia, with products such as coal, and in future probably uranium for important energy sources for the growing Indian economy.  It is fairly obvious that India can provide us with IT and financial services”. India is also the guest nation at this year’s Australian National Field Days (ANFD) to be held in Orange from 17 October.

According to a report published in March of this year, the well-documented nursing workforce shortage is an international problem. Nurse resignation rates in the USA are around 12-15 per cent per annum, while the annual attrition rates in New South Wales are closer to 20 per cent. Susan Bragg, a PhD student with the School of Health Science, is hoping to explore the reasons why NSW rural registered nurses resign from hospitals by interviewing nurses who resigned from a NSW rural hospital for reasons other than maternity, retirement or geographic relocation. “The idea came to me after I left the hospital system, and then we kept hearing about the nurse shortage. I wondered why no one was listening to the nurses who had resigned. I strongly believe that the nurses who have left the system hold the reason why. I think there are quite a few issues impacting on why nurses leave and hopefully I can summarise those in my thesis and then the system may pay attention.”

“I feel very confident in promoting the University as a great place to work.” Karen Kime is Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) new Indigenous Employment Coordinator. Although she only started in the position in June, already she has held cross cultural training workshops and Indigenous staff forums. “The workshops were about the different communication styles that many of our people have. Things such as eye contact, and women and men’s 'business', are sensitive issues. Silences are often used to show respect. Body language is very different. The forums meanwhile are a fantastic way for our people to be able to get together, to network, learn University processes, and to get some training which is specifically targeted for their needs.” Next up will be the introduction of pathways between TAFE, schools and CSU and the development of a mentoring scheme “to encourage people to see CSU as a potential and relevant employer - where one could have a career. In addition, our people contribute to an interesting and dynamic workforce; one that reflects the cultural makeup of the region it serves.”

This year’s National Drama Australia Conference had more drama than usual for Associate Professor Dr John Carroll, who was named the recipient of the 2006 Drama Australia Award for Excellence in Drama Education. The Charles Sturt University (CSU) Associate Professor in Communication Research also launched a new book at the Turning The Tides conference which addressed such issues as online drama, digital performance and drama learning. Professor Carroll says Real Players? coauthored with David Cameron of CSU and Michael Anderson of the University of Sydney is “aimed at drama educators, secondary teachers and the university community, as well as a broader group of people who are interested in what’s happening in new technology and performance. It covers the shift that is going on in how young people are relating to new media, and how they are creatively using alternative channels of information.”

According to Head of Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Rural Management Professor Kevin Parton, “animal production is a high priority,” at the Orange Campus where, this Friday, the Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) will hold its More Beef from Pastures Regional Expo. CSU is an inland university offering courses that give practical solutions to agricultural management. “The Meat and Livestock Authority has over 40 000 livestock producer members and to be able to work alongside them and discuss CSU’s cattle production and management teaching in our Agricultural Business Management degree is an important part of our collaboration with industry. We look forward to presenting our courses to the participants at this Expo,” Professor Parton said. There will be up to 200 people attending the event including over 150 primary producers. The MLA More Beef from Pastures program offers practical information, guidelines and tools in eight key areas of business. The Expo, to be held at the Machinery Centre, CSU Orange Campus this Friday 27 October.