A Charles Sturt University (CSU) student has made his mark on one of Australia’s premier cycle races. Dean Windsor, who is currently studying Primary Education, won the fourth stage and came fourth overall in points in the five-day Jayco Bay Cycling Classic. The Classic is the world’s fastest criterium series according to organisers. Dean says he is delighted to have done so well. “All the professionals race this, and it is important to get a win early in the season. It is quite a top quality field and a top class event.” Next up is the Road National, a 150 kilometre race around Ballarat, and Dean says he is looking forward to a trip to Europe later this year, as well as “a few tours in Asia. My CSU lecturers are very supportive, so it is possible to combine my studies with the cycling,” he said.

“The Charles Sturt University (CSU) Art Collection will benefit enormously by the inclusion of this definitive painting by John Peart.  It an exceptional example of the artist’s work, that will serve as an integral part of their collection for generations to come,” says art valuer Randi Linnegar from King Street Galleries in Sydney. She was commenting on an artwork gift to CSU of an abstract painting, Muffled Rhythms 1984. CSU Art Curator Thomas Middlemost describes the “very large and important painting from a significant Sydney artist” as an “an intensely challenging artwork, which reflects the artist’s difficult path in the Australian art world. Muffled Rhythms, 1984 will exist as a ‘jewel in the crown’ of the University’s collection, which includes monotypes by Peart and paintings by James Gleeson, Emily Kngwarreye, to name a couple. The donation of this work will increase the standing of our important, nationally renowned art collection.”

World Health Organisation predictions of a 60 per cent increase in Type 2 Diabetes between 1995 and 2030 have been challenged by a new study from Ontario. Researchers there have found a 69 per cent increase in the rate of the disease between 1995 and 2005 - far greater than previous projections for Canada. The authors of the new research say this could have devastating consequences worldwide. Professor Patrick Ball from Charles Sturt University’s School of Biomedical Sciences isn’t surprised. "The clear evidence is that we are losing the battle. There are so many different facets to the problem including lack of exercise and modern diets packed with fats and sugar. People are starting to accept diabetes as a normal part of the ageing process. I believe it is a worse health problem than tobacco."

Young people’s access to educational opportunities can be adversely affected by drought, according to new research that will be presented at a national conference soon. Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Professor Margaret Alston and Dr Jenny Kent will present the final report on their research at the conference which will be hosted by the Federal Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST), the Foundation for Regional / Rural Renewal (FRRR) and CSU. Former Deputy Prime Minister and conference convenor Ian Sinclair will join with members of the Myer family, who are the major donors to the FRRR, at the official welcome starting at 2pm on Tuesday 17 April at the Nowik Auditorium, CSU Albury City site, Guinea St, Albury.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will open its latest study centre in Brisbane, Queensland in July 2016 offering international students the opportunity to study accounting and IT.CSU Study Centres have operated in partnership with Study Group for over 20 years and currently operate in Sydney and Melbourne supporting almost 4,000 international students studying programs including accounting, business, commerce and IT.The new Brisbane CSU Study Centre will open officially in July offering a Master of Information Technology (with specialisations) and a Master of Professional Accounting.Mr David Knight, Director of CSU Study Centres said, "These two Masters programs have attracted significant enrolment interest at our Sydney and Melbourne study centres and we expect them to be popular in Brisbane as well."International students in Brisbane have a strong preference to study in the business and IT discipline areas, which complements the courses Charles Sturt University will offer in this new location."Mr Knight said, "Queensland is Australia's third largest market for international student enrolments, with higher education enrolments increasing by 44 per cent from 2007 in South-east Queensland, including Brisbane."Brisbane has a standard of living surpassing most world cities through its cultured, yet relaxed lifestyle and weather, and lower living expenses than other Australian and international cities," he said."The Queensland Government is further promoting international student enrolments through its Study Queensland website and Brisbane International Student Guide that provide detailed information about studying and living in Queensland."Mr Knight said, "The opening of a Brisbane Study Centre is an exciting step in the evolution of the Charles Sturt University Study Centres, and we look forward to welcoming new students on campus in July."

In what’s been described as a "U-turn of dramatic proportions", the same study that in 2002 warned menopausal women to abandon Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) has now released findings that show HRT risks are not as bad as first thought. The Women's Health Initiative Study (WHIS), a major 15-year research program to address the most common causes of death, disability and poor quality of life in postmenopausal women, last week stated any additional risks may apply only to older women. Charles Sturt University (CSU) biomedical researcher Dr Christopher Scott says he is not surprised by the new findings. “The initial findings were quite scary, but since then they have done a lot more thorough number-crunching. HRT is considered to be beneficial to deal with the symptoms of menopause, but a woman with a strong family history of breast cancer and cardiovascular should not take HRT long term. You have to look at the particular person and what they want to use it for and how long they want to use it.”

Students of Australia’s largest inland university Charles Sturt University (CSU) have been awarded seven of the nine Pharmacy Guild of Australia 2007 scholarships as part of the Guild’s Rural Pharmacy Scholarship Scheme. Faculty of Science Dean Professor Mark Burton was “thrilled” with the announcement. “It’s a testament to our health-based courses at CSU that our students receive such positive recognition. The scholarships encourage recipients to seek work in rural and remote areas which ties in with CSU’s commitment to providing trained professionals who will enhance rural communities,” said Professor Burton. To be eligible, Pharmacy students must be from a regional, rural or remote area. The students then make a presentation to the scholarship committee. Each scholarship is worth $40 000 per student over four years.

The country's top economic reform agency has called for the introduction of carbon taxes as a way to cut greenhouse emissions. The Productivity Commission, the Australian Government's principal review and advisory body on microeconomic policy and regulation, last week submitted the proposal to the Prime Minister's task force on emissions trading. Dr Roderick Duncan, lecturer in economics at Charles Sturt University (CSU), says if we are serious about cutting emissions, a carbon tax is inevitable. “But to reflect the true cost of our energy, we are going to have to drastically increase the price of petrol and electricity. People say they are very concerned about global warming, but when I tell them we could triple the price of energy, then they become a lot less enthusiastic.”

India is the new booming economy – surpassing even China in recent economic growth. It is an amazing success story that is much more evident in the cities than the countryside according to Kirsty Hommel, a recent Charles Sturt University (CSU) social science graduate who spent her practicum in rural southern India developing skills she had learnt at CSU. “The area I lived in was very untouched by western influences. The village I was based in was without a road.  Many people in this area live without running water or electricity - they use local wells and designated trees for toilets.” Kirsty says the Healthy Districts program aims “to increase the overall standards of health in the community through addressing poverty.  We used community development to assist the community to generate income. I really enjoyed being there. Even after I met my practicum requirements, I chose to stay another month. I felt very immersed in the community and the culture there.”