Four television production students and an acting student from Charles Sturt University (CSU) have returned to CSU’s Wagga Wagga Campus on the weekend after testing their television production skills at the world’s biggest sporting event for four weeks at the Beijing Olympics. The students were employed as camera operators and production support staff on the Olympic Green in the Chinese capital. The third year students have hailed their time at the Olympic Games as a wonderful opportunity as they prepare to embark on their careers at the end of the year. “We loved going into work each day during the Olympics,” said television production student Ms Katrina Beesley. “The grounding that we had from CSU lecturers gave us the professionalism we needed to work at the international event and that was reaffirmed by our employers. Hopefully, Beijing will be the first of many Olympics Games that we get to work on." The CSU School of Visual and Performing Arts, educates television production students for entry to the television industry.

International experience is a key objective of Charles Sturt University (CSU) in its education of students. Two CSU Bachelor of Pharmacy students, Mr Sam Ledger from Mudgee and Mr Lloyd Smith from Broken Hill, gained that when they attended the 7th Asia-Pacific Pharmaceutical Symposium in Khon Kaen in northern Thailand in June and July. Eleven countries were represented at the Symposium along with numerous industry professionals, medical specialists and academics. “It was at a talk by Dr Jon Ungphakorn from the AIDS Access Foundation in Thailand  that we began to appreciate the afflictions and inequalities that exist in countries not as fortunate as Australia,” said Mr Ledger, who is also vice-president of the CSU student organisation, Pharmers' Club. The students have brought back plans for a communication workshop for CSU students and plans to promote international student exchange and student involvement in promoting awareness of public health issues.

Charles Student University (CSU) animal science students came face to face with the harsh reality of elephant cruelty and mistreatment during a visit to Thailand to undertake a project on wildlife conservation. The 18 day excursion in January centred on volunteer work at the Elephant Nature Park near Chang Mai in the country’s north. The park rescues maltreated, physically handicapped and mentally disturbed Asian elephants and provides a sanctuary for their rehabilitation. One agricultural science and 17 animal science students from CSU returned from the trip last week, recounting their cherished experiences being ‘up close and personal’ when feeding and washing the elephants. Course Coordinator of the CSU veterinary science program, Dr Gaye Krebs said the trip was an incredible learning experience and one student is planning to return to the park next year. “It was the impetus for one student to propose an Honours project with Lek, who runs the park, which is a fantastic outcome,” said Dr Krebs. “The trip went ahead with the assistance of CSU Global and the IGA supermarket at Hillston who donated $6 000 towards costs.”

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.

A passion to assess the impact of climate change on some of the world’s driest places has attracted Dr Antonio Castro from his native Spain to Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga for the past six months. A visiting research fellow with CSU’s Institute for Land, Water and Society (ILWS), Dr Castro is assessing the possible impacts of global climate change on Spain, especially the dry south-eastern Andalusia region. He was drawn to Australia to investigate Associate Professor Gary Luck’s major project on assessing ecosystem services, those services provided by the natural environment that enhance the man-made environment, such as carbon storage, timber production, pest control, flower pollination and biodiversity conservation. He hopes to incorporate the skills and knowledge he has developed with Professor Luck into his own research. Dr Castro said he was impressed with the Institute, having never seen ecological, social and cultural views coming together in one institution. “Albury is also a very comfortable city and Australians are very friendly,” Dr Castro said.

A survey about weight issues and obesity in Cootamundra by two Charles Sturt University (CSU) students has led to an initiative to encourage men to take practical steps towards a healthier diet. Bachelor of Health Science (Nutrition and Dietetics) students Ms Alana Hosken and Ms Lara Williams surveyed Cootamundra businesses and health professionals and members of the wider community on their opinions and current knowledge of weight issues and obesity in the Cootamundra population. As a result of their findings, the Cootamundra Community Health delivered a free cooking class on Monday 24 May to encourage men to eat healthier. “In our survey Cootamundra men knew the chronic health issues associated with obesity and agreed some practical cooking skills will help address the problem,” Ms Williams said. “The cooking class was very successful, with 19 people in attendance. The men indicated they learned from the education session and cooking demonstration,” Ms Hosken said.

The efforts of Charles Sturt University (CSU) to continually improve its environmental initiatives have been recognised in state-wide awards. Under the NSW Government’s Sustainability Advantage Recognition Scheme, CSU has been awarded a Bronze Partnership for its demonstrated commitment to business sustainability. In 2008, the University established CSU Green  to coordinate and monitor the organisation’s sustainability efforts. “Sustainability is a central theme of Charles Sturt University’s strategy and one of the four key themes of our Institutional Development Plan,” said CSU Green Manager Mr William Adlong. “This award gives us an indication we are on track with our environmental initiatives in biodiversity, energy, transport, waste and water.” Ahead of World Environment Day, Mr Adlong accepted the Bronze Partnership on Friday 4 June during a ceremony in Sydney. Read more about CSU Green here.

About 70 high schools students from the Wagga Wagga district are due to experience first hand the careers and courses open to them in agriculture and primary industries. The EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation – an alliance between Charles Sturt University (CSU) and Industry & Investment NSW – is hosting the Agriculture Enrichment Day on Friday 11 June at CSU in Wagga Wagga. The students will be divided into small groups and rotated through a range of sessions covering topics such as animal anatomy, insects, weeds and soil salinity. “This is a wonderful opportunity for the high school students to get a real taste of the variety of studies and careers available through the agricultural sector,” EH Graham Centre acting director Associate Professor Gavin Ash said. “In addition to the practical sessions, the students will be able to speak with staff from Charles Sturt University and Industry & Investment NSW.” The Agriculture Enrichment Day will be held from 8.45am to 1.30pm on Friday 11 June in and around Joyes Hall, Pugsley Place off Pine Gully Road, CSU in Wagga Wagga.

Two Charles Sturt University (CSU) Faculty of Arts graduates are finalists in the 2010 Australia China Alumni Awards. At a reception in the Australian pavilion at Shanghai Expo on Tuesday 25 May, Ms Kara Jenkinson, a disaster preparedness delegate for the Australian Red Cross, was announced as a finalist in the Australian Education International Young Australian Alumni of the Year for the second year in a row, while Ms Anthea Webb, director of the United Nations World Food Program in China, was announced asa finalist for the Women in Leadership award. Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Anthony Cahalan said, “The fact we have two graduates listed as finalists in these internationally recognised awards is testament to the high quality degrees we offer at Charles Sturt University.” The winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Shanghai on Saturday 10 July.