Building robots and computer games and working on an IT service desk are among the activities high school students will experience at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga this week. Hosted by the School of Computing and Mathematics at CSU in Wagga Wagga, the students from Years 11 and 12 will attend workshops presented by lecturers, staff of the Division of Information Technology and PhD students from Tuesday 21 August to Thursday 23 August. During IT Work Experience 2012, the students will write computer games, build robots, learn about networking and scripting, undertake roles on the CSU IT service desk and have simulated job interviews. They will also hear about pathway programs into CSU and careers in IT and computing. Lecturer Dr Lihong Zheng from the School of Computing and Mathematics at CSU said, “This program provides local high school students with real life experience as an employee in the IT and computing industry. The students were selected in conjunction with COMPACT, with priority given to HSC students.” The School of Computing and Mathematics at CSU offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in information and communication technology, mathematics and statistics. Read more here.

Work has commenced on the National Life Sciences Hub (NaLSH) building project at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga with the establishment of the site, fencing, works on the realignment of Nathan Cobb Drive, and other preliminary site works. The NaLSH will help the integration of fundamental research with applied research and teaching, to build links between researchers and stakeholders (students, industry, producers) and identify problems and the development of improvements with immediate application to agricultural practice. It will create links to undergraduate and graduate training, and improve interactions across local/national/international partners in research in food security and biosecurity. An historical record of the site will be recorded by the capturing of time-lapse images of the site for the duration of the project. This is required for the information of funding and other bodies, as well as archival purposes. Please note that persons near the site may be inadvertently captured in these images.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will be represented by five students from NSW and Victoria in a national crop competition in Temora in September. The 2012 Australian Universities Crops Competition (AUCC) is hosted by GrainGrowers from Tuesday 11 September to Friday 14 September. The annual event will see competitors tested in a number of categories on grains, pulses and oilseeds. The competition’s top three students will secure a study tour to the USA. Coaching the Bachelor of Agricultural Science students  is Dr Sergio Moroni, lecturer in crop agronomy from the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences to secure the ‘University Teams' award for the third year in a row as well as aiming for places in the top five,” Dr Moroni said. CSU student Ms Georgina Rees said, “The crop competition is a great opportunity to use the knowledge we have gained over the past three years in our course and also learn more about the individual grain industries.”

From the Arab Spring to the Occupy Movement, activists are making strategic use of digital communication networks to encourage social change, according to Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturer Mr Jake Wallis. Mr Wallis from the School of Information Studies will present a seminar at CSU in Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 5 September, exploring how civil society uses the web and the impact it can have on democratic participation and politics.  “The internet, social media and mobile phones allow messages of protest to spread at high speeds,” Mr Wallis said. “New media can help activist groups to create a hard-hitting emotional narrative around social issues, which can generate support across regional, national and international networks.”  The seminar will also be streamed to the Swedish School of Library and Information Science, University of Borås in Sweden.

Imagine the keys on a piano in front of you moving up and down as a teacher hundreds of kilometres away plays. This unique experience has been made possible for students at the Riverina Conservatorium of Music (RCM)  thanks to technical support from Charles Sturt University (CSU).  The Conservatorium is taking part in a trial which links two pianos over the Internet to allow local students to get expert, real time tuition from teachers at the Australian National University (ANU). To facilitate the trial, CSU’s Division of Information Technology has provided access to the University’s dedicated fibre optic internet connection and technical support. CSU Technical Specialist – Networks, Mr Travis Terry, said, “Charles Sturt University has immense experience in facilitating remote teaching utilising interactive technologies such as video conferencing. Coupling complementary technologies like the digital piano could be a major step forward for remote teaching and we are pleased to explore the possibilities.” Conservatorium Director Mr Hamish Tait said, “This kind of technology helps break downs some of the barriers of living in a regional area by giving local students access to highly qualified instructors hundreds of kilometres away.”

Medals marking up to 40 years employment with Charles Sturt University (CSU) and its predecessor institutions will be presented by the CSU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Andrew Vann in Wagga Wagga tomorrow, Wednesday 12 September. A lunch will be hosted by the Head of CSU in Wagga Wagga, Mr Adrian Lindner in honour of 21 academic and general staff. Heading the long service list is Associate Professor Geoff Bamberry from the School of Management and Marketing at CSU in Wagga Wagga. He will receive a 40 year service medal during the ceremony. He began work in 1972 as a lecturer in public administration with the School of Business and Liberal Studies in the Riverina College of Advanced Education, one of CSU’s predecessor institutions. The medals recognise service for 20, 30 and 40 years.

The changes in Wagga Wagga’s main street and the stories of the people who lived and worked there will be explored at a presentation by Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturer Dr Nancy Blacklow on Saturday 15 September. As part of History Week activities, Dr Blacklow from CSU’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences will outline the collaborative research project between the CSU Regional Archives and Museum of the Riverina based on changes to Baylis and Fitzmaurice Streets. “The aim is to peel back the layers of time,” Dr Blacklow said. “The research is looking at more than just the physical changes to the buildings, as my work explores personal stories and memories.” The project will culminate with an exhibition, People and Place at the Museum of the Riverina in late 2013.

Students and staff from Charles Sturt University (CSU) will join thousands of fellow NSW commuters and ride to the University in Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 19 September to celebrate NSW Bike Week. As part of a Ride to Campus event, cyclists will meet at 7.30am at Premium Coffee Roasters in Trail St in Wagga Wagga. The group will leave the café at 8am for a social ride through North Wagga Wagga to work and study. Breakfast will be provided by CSU Green at the University’s Eat@20 from 8:30 am. Event coordinator, Ms Nicola Smith from CSU Green, said the ride is being held at other CSU campuses.  She said the events aim to increase the knowledge of bike paths around CSU campuses, increase bike safety and get more CSU staff and students involved in local bicycle groups. “We want more Charles Sturt University people taking part in active transport and decreasing our carbon footprint,” Ms Smith said. Send your RSVP  for the Ride to Campus event for catering and to go in the prize draw for a new bike.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) has won the prestigious team award for the third year in a row at the Australian Universities Crops Competition. Held at Temora from Tuesday 11 to Friday 14 September, the competition saw students from five universities tested on everything from seed identification and grain grading to business management and production practices. CSU Bachelor of Agricultural Science student Ms Georgina Rees from Lara in Victoria placed second in the individual student category. She will now travel to the United States to compete in the crops competition at the Chicago Fair in November. Lecturer in crop agronomy from the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga, Dr Sergio Moroni said, “The standard of competition was very high and being named as the top team for a third consecutive year is an outstanding achievement. It was pleasing to see the confident performance of the Charles Sturt University students during the event."