Taking the temperature of the global ocean is the topic of a free public lecture at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga, Orange and Wagga Wagga by Distinguished Professor Tony Haymet from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). From 2006 to 2012, the Australian scientist led the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UCSD, a 110 year old geoscience research organisation focussing on the solid earth, oceans and atmosphere, and marine biology.  In his talks, Professor Haymet will track the factors that influenced the UCSD university and hospital campus community of 45 000 to change the way they generate energy. He will discuss how an understanding of how heat moves around the planet, developed through measuring ocean temperatures, can have impacts locally, nationally and globally. Professor Haymet is Director and Vice-Chancellor Emeritus at Scripps, and formerly Chief of Marine and Atmospheric Research at CSIRO in Australia. The lectures are part of CSU's 2014 Explorations Series which aims to encourage debate about the big issues facing society. The lectures are free and the public is welcome to attend. Details of Professor Haymet's lectures are:Friday 2 May from 6pm in the Wal Fife Lecture Theatres, building 14, near car park 4, Tooma Way, CSU in Wagga Wagga.Monday 5 May from 6.30pm in Room 104 in the CD Blake Auditorium, building 751, CSU in Albury-Wodonga.Tuesday 6 May from 6pm in Room 120, Lecture Theatre 3, building 1004, CSU in Orange.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) presents the 11th Australian International Animation Festival in Wagga Wagga from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 May. The international event will feature a range of animation styles, genres and techniques with the screening of over 100 films selected from a record 2 500 submissions from around the world. The Festival at the Forum 6 Cinema in Wagga Wagga will officially open from 6pm on Friday 9 May with the screening of one of three International programs. The Festival is divided into International Programs, Australian Showcase, BLEND Screening, Chris Sullivan Shorts Collection, Kid's Program and Late Night Bizarre. There is also a series of free animation seminars hosted by distinguished guest speakers. Read the full AIAF program at the official Festival site here: www.aiaf.net.au CSU animation and visual effects lecturer and Festival co-director Mr Andrew Hagan said, "Whether it's the premiere screening of internationally acclaimed films, the generosity of over $3 000 of door-prizes, unprecedented access to award-winning filmmakers, or celebration of the first comprehensive snapshot of Australian animation in 2014, there's simply nothing like the creative atmosphere of this annual festival to feel energised and inspired once again." Through its School of Communication and Creative Industries, CSU offers the Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design (Animation and Visual Effects).

A program to foster a culture that is inclusive of people who are of diverse sexuality or gender identity will be launched at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst by Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann from 1pm on Monday 28 April. The Ally Program will establish a network of allies who publicly support the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI). Student equity and diversity officer, Ms Chai Palila, said, "The Ally Program is in place in a number of universities in Australia and New Zealand and we are very excited about its launch at Charles Sturt University. This is about supporting a higher education environment that is inclusive, safe and respectful of all people at the University." Following the launch, the first round of Ally training for staff and students will be held at CSU in Bathurst on Tuesday 29 April. On Thursday 1 May, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Ken Dillon will unveil the Ally program from 2pm at CSU in Wagga Wagga. It will precede training for Wagga Wagga staff and students from 9am till 2pm. There will be further training opportunities for staff and students at CSU in Orange on Monday 5 May and in Albury-Wodonga on Friday 16 May. The Ally Program is an initiative of the University's Office of the Dean of Students.

Passionate about the opportunities for young people in agriculture, Charles Sturt University (CSU) student Ms Brodie Chester has been named the 2014 The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl. From Bega in southern NSW, Ms Chester is studying a Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management via distance education through the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences at CSU in Orange. Along with her partner Mr Kevin Game, Ms Chester operates a 250 head dairy herd.  The competition attracted more than 500 entrants from across NSW and Ms Chester was awarded the title over 15 other finalists at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney on Sunday 13 April.

Pharmacy students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) will have a special opportunity to hear directly from the peak body representing community pharmacies in Australia. A member of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia's National Secretariat Mr Andrew Matthews will meet with third year pharmacy students from the School of Biomedical Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga on Monday 31 March. Mr Matthews will talk about Pharmacy Medicines classified by Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration as S2 and Pharmacist Only Medicines classified as S3. He will also address the Guild's Quality Care Pharmacy Program, a quality assurance program for community pharmacies.Pharmacy Program Leader at CSU Mr George John said, "Many of these pharmacy students will go on to work in community pharmacies around the country so it is important that they engage with the principles of the Quality Care Pharmacy Program to ensure that their professional practice and business practice is benchmarked against a national standard. It also gives them an overview and understanding of how pharmacies operate in Australia as more than 90 per cent of pharmacies in Australia are QCPP accredited. These guest lecturers from industry leaders like Andrew ensure that our students are engaging with current industrial practices and in turn helping them becoming market ready graduates."

A student from Charles Sturt University (CSU) is one step closer to being named the Pharmacy Student of the Year 2014. Final year student Mr Jamie Pisani from the School of Biomedical Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga won the title of Pharmacy Student of the Year (PSOTY) Wildcard Finalist during a national student conference in Bendigo earlier this year. Mr Pisani from Callala Bay on NSW south coast was selected for his knowledge of over-the-counter-products during the National Australian Pharmacy Students' Association (NAPSA) conference involving up to 300 students from the 18 universities. He will now represent CSU at the national finals of the Pharmacy Student of the Year competition at the Pharmacy Australia Congress (PAC14) in Canberra in October.  Pharmacy Program Leader at CSU, Mr George John said "This is a testament to Jamie's passion for engaging with the patient. Jamie also gives credit to the way that Charles Sturt University approaches the training of students, especially giving them the right skills to ensure appropriate pharmaceutical care is given to each patient in a contextualised and tailored manner." Mr Pisani will also receive an award for academic excellence from the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science Professor Tim Wess during a ceremony at CSU in Wagga Wagga from 10am on Thursday 27 March. Read more in CSU News here.

The academic achievements of Charles Sturt University (CSU) students from the Faculty of Science will be recognised in two ceremonies in Wagga Wagga on Thursday 27 March. CSU Executive Dean of Science, Professor Tim Wess, will present awards to undergraduate students who have excelled in their studies for at least one semester in 2013. More than 130 students and family members will attend the 10am ceremony for the School of Nursing Midwifery and Indigenous Health, School of Biomedical Sciences and School of Dentistry and Health Sciences. More than 100 people are expected to attend the 5 pm ceremony for School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences and School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences students.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff will take to the main street of Wagga Wagga in academic gowns on Thursday 27 March to promote the city's educational and training opportunities. The annual Town and Gown Parade will include participants from CSU, Wagga Wagga City Council, local schools, other education providers, and the Australian Defence Force. "Since 2005 the Town and Gown Parade has showcased Wagga Wagga's education achievements while encouraging the next generation to study locally," said Ms Miriam Dayhew, CSU Head of Campus in Wagga Wagga. The procession can be seen from 4.30pm as it moves from the corner of Morgan and Baylis Streets, along Baylis Street to the Victory Memorial Gardens. An education expo will be held at the gardens with refreshments and entertainment from 5pm.

Internationally acclaimed film director Mr Steve Pasvolsky will share tales of his diverse media career with Charles Sturt University (CSU) students in Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 19 March. Mr Pasvolsky has worked in film, television and game development, and was nominated for an Academy Award in 2003 for his short drama Inja. Mr Damian Candusso, senior lecturer at CSU's School of Communication and Creative Industries, said it's great that the University is able to host experts who are recognised on the world stage. "Steve Pasvolsky brings a diverse and highly successful career that all students across the communication and creative industries can benefit from here in regional NSW," he said.