Charles Sturt University (CSU) and TAFE NSW Riverina Institute will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) next week to give people in Deniliquin the opportunity to study for a Diploma-Degree in Social Work. CSU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Ross Chambers said “We see our partnership as an important step in providing regional students with access to education. Social work is more relevant than ever to the needs of our rural and regional communities, and job prospects are very high as we are seeing gaps in service delivery accentuated by our worst drought in history.” Charles Sturt University is acknowledged as a leading provider of social work graduates. Professor Chambers and Ms Rosemary Campbell, Director of the Riverina Institute, will officially sign the MoU on behalf of their institutions. 

Charles Sturt University (CSU) students will soon return to the Campus towns of Albury, Wagga Wagga, Dubbo, Orange and Bathurst, and some will be seeking off campus accommodation, according to CSU Student Services Officer Jane Battersby. “We have VTAC and UAC rounds coming out next week, so the student demand will soon be there. We have a database of off-campus accommodation providers, from vacant rental to shared rental and board.” Colleen Poy says providing accommodation to CSU students can be very rewarding. “I started off with one house, then two and now I have five houses. I really missed my children when they left home. There’s nothing like being around young people, they never lose their enthusiasm. Every morning is a whole new day and they are up and at it. I think it’s wonderful.”

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.

Associate Professor Terry Harden, Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Wine & Food Sciences Head of School, remembers well his first few days in Wagga Wagga. “I arrived just before the 1974 big flood, so I was filling sandbags to save my newly adopted town. They hadn’t built the Boorooma Campus then. Times have changed dramatically.” Professor Harden retires soon after 32 years with CSU. He says highlights include “Getting the very first overseas course going for the University with our Hong Kong medical laboratory science students - there was no international office in those days. Also, one of our PhD students, Melanie Whitelaw, found a fungus that promotes the growth of wheat, and that was quite exciting, and another PhD student, Stephen Simpfendorfer, found bacteria that produced a potent anti-fungal agent.” Professor Harden and his wife are retiring to the Gold Coast to “get involved in community work, exercise, travel – I’ll be doing what I want to do.”

Links will be strengthened between Charles Sturt University (CSU) and leading Pakistani agricultural researchers during a visit to the Wagga Wagga Campus tonight, 16 June, 2008, aimed at improving the nation’s dairy industry. Also in attendance at the visit will be the Pakistani Deputy High Commissioner. "Pakistan is the fourth largest dairy producer in the world, yet manufactures very little of its raw product, with most milk consumed within 12 hours due to the lack of refrigeration and the need for constant supply," said Peter Wynn, Professor of Animal Production in the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences. A CSU research team, working collaboratively in Pakistan for six months, has increased  productivity by working with farmers and agricultural agencies to implement changes in the industry.

Cargill Beef Australia has been praised for its support of the Charles Sturt University (CSU) student team which competed in the 2008 Australian Intercollegiate Meat Judging Competition (IMJC) in Armidale in July. The company provided sponsorship for the team and allowed the CSU students access to its facilities and staff at its abattoir in Wagga Wagga for training. The training in June also included a group of Japanese university students who visited CSU prior to the competition in Armidale. “This IMJC is unique in that it is the only forum in Australia where students from any educational institute have the opportunity to learn the finer points of carcass evaluation from Australia’s experts,” said CSU Professor of Animal Production Peter Wynn. “None of this would have been possible without the sponsorship and unstinting support from Cargill. Junee Abattoir also gave generously of its staff time and facilities for training with lamb carcasses.   The support of local companies to enhance the practical skills of CSU students across the spectrum is invaluable,” said Professor Wynn.

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) social work student from Newcastle will start 2010 studying the health system of Mexico and reflecting on Australia’s system from an international perspective. Ms Elizabeth Losurdo, who is studying a Bachelor of Social Work at CSU by distance education, will study ‘Health Sciences in Mexico; Management and Practice’ at La Salle University in Mexico City from Sunday 10 January to Saturday 6 February. The study trip will include academic classes, visits to hospitals and other health facilities as well as cultural studies. “I wanted to go to Mexico because my mother is from this country, so I am interested to learn about the culture,” said Ms Losurdo, who is travelling to Mexico with financial assistance from CSU Global.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) was well-represented at Charles Sturt University (CSU) during a high-level visit to the Wagga Wagga campus on Friday 25 September. Hosted by the Head of Campus, Mr Adrian Lindner, senior officers of the Army, Navy, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the Defence Reserves met with Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Lyn Gorman, and academic staff from the arts, business, education and science faculties. They inspected the campus, including the new dentistry and oral health facilities, the Veterinary Clinical Centre, and the University’s television studios. “The visit by the senior officers is part of one of my priorities to further develop the relationship between Charles Sturt University and the ADF to ensure the sustainability of both organisations as well as our regional communities,” said Mr Lindner. “We are educating the professions of the future and that includes meeting the needs of the ADF. Additionally, Charles Sturt University is always searching for skilled staff such as may be found in defence force families.”

There will be a meeting of creative minds from across Australia in Wagga Wagga when Charles Sturt University (CSU) hosts the Symposia09 conference on Thursday 6 and Friday 7 August. The two day creative arts conference brings together 14 speakers from across Australia including specialists in animation, lighting design, illustration, sound, web design, exhibition design, video, photography, multimedia, music, visual art and graphic design. “This is an intensive two day gathering of some of the leading creative practitioners in Australia,” said Associate Professor Margaret Woodward, Head of School of Visual and Performing Arts at CSU at Wagga Wagga. It will include a combination of visual presentations, music, discussion and an opportunity to meet informally with speakers. “Collectively the speakers have vast experience and knowledge to inspire the audience,” said Professor Woodward.