A Memorandum of Understanding will be signed in Wagga Wagga on Monday 14 December between Charles Sturt University (CSU) and a Chinese university to explore opportunities to work together in the equine field.A six-member senior delegation from Qingdao Agricultural University (QAU) will hold talks with key academic staff from CSU's School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences.They'll tour the University's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Veterinary Clinical Centre and equine facilities.The delegation will also attend a formal graduation lunch hosted by Head of Campus at CSU in Wagga Wagga, Ms Miriam Dayhew.Offering undergraduate programs in agricultural and animal sciences, QAU is in southeast Shandong province.Pro Vice-Chancellor (International Education and Partnerships), Professor Heather Cavanagh said, "We will discuss how Charles Sturt University and one of our TAFE partners, Goulburn Ovens TAFE can offer an integrated equine science course for Chinese students to study in Australia, as well as short term programs."It is an appropriate time for the delegation to visit Wagga Wagga as the University celebrates student achievement and success with our graduation ceremonies."While initial discussions will focus on equine sciences, there are several opportunities for cooperation between the two universities to explore given alignment of our study areas and Charles Sturt University's record of delivering high quality education in China."

The new-year will bring a new challenge for Professor Nick Sangster who is moving on from Charles Sturt University (CSU) where he has been Head of the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences.Professor Sangster joined CSU in 2006 and has been the Head of the School since 2011."Charles Sturt University continues to deliver on our mission of providing rural practitioners and over 90 per cent of graduates are still in rural practice," said Professor Sangster. "Several owning their own businesses and offering high quality veterinary services."Charles Sturt University has sustained the top rating amongst Australian vet degrees for student satisfaction, graduate satisfaction and quality of teaching. Employment rates are well over 90 per cent and starting salaries amongst the highest."The research profile has also developed and staff and graduate students are engaged in a wide range of research including in production animals, wildlife and translational research."The teaching hospitals continue to service the Riverina with high quality referral service and laboratory services to practitioners."In 2015 the School launched the Bachelor of Veterinary Technology degree, the first of its type in Australia. It provides career development opportunities for vet nurses and provide a trained paraveterinary workforce for Australia," said Professor Sangster.Professor Sangster will move to Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) in January 2016 as Program Manager for Grassfed Productivity.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is lending its expertise to a community-based project to help young people in Wagga Wagga develop networking and life skills to improve employment outcomes.The inaugural Wagga Wagga Hack4Good will be held at CSU in Wagga Wagga from Friday 27 November.As part of national 'Social Inclusion Week' CSU is joining forces with Wagga City Council, Intersect Australia and Murrumbidgee Family and Community Services, with support from others in the community.The aim is to encourage young people to use technology to make it easier for them to connect with individuals and networks within in the local community that can provide them with the support and assistance they need.  The event begins with a Student 'Hack Experience' on Friday 27 November, where more than 30 high school and TAFE students will be mentored on the basics of app design.The main event will be held from 9am on Saturday through to 1pm on Sunday. The public is also invited to a community technology fair featuring tutorials on social media, coding and app design.CSU is proud to support this project as part of its community engagement program providing contributions such as the venue, on-site IT support and expertise in app design.Executive Dean of the CSU Faculty of Science Professor Tim Wess said, "The project is about self-help and community."Charles Sturt University is delighted to work with the government and the community sector for the social good."It is this type of innovative community project which is essential in building strong, connected and sustainable local communities. "It is part of the University's commitment to work with its communities to promote regional development and deliver mutually beneficial outcomes. In this case, increasing the engagement of disadvantaged young people."Follow the Wagga Wagga Hack4Good conversation on Twitter at @WaggaWaggaHack and using the hashtag WWHackathon

Plastic bags are being given an innovative lease of life at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga as part of a new recycling initiative.CSU Green, the university's sustainability unit, and Kurrajong Recyclers are working together to turn lightweight plastics, such as wrap, films and bags, into building materials.New bins have been placed in CSU's National Life Science Hub (NaLSH) as a collection point for the lightweight plastics.CSU Energy Manager Mr Chris O'Connor said, "The NaLSH generates significant quantities of lightweight plastic throughout the year as it is used in packaging to keep laboratory items sterile."Kurrajong Recyclers is able to process the lightweight plastics and bale the material into one-tonne blocks. The blocks are then sent for shredding and washing, and finally turned into pellets ready for remanufacturing into new products.The low-grade material is then sent to local manufacturers to make materials such as posts, rails or bollards."The recycled products have even been returned to Charles Sturt University for use at the Veterinary Clinical Centre in Wagga Wagga," Mr O'Connor said."Technical Officer from the Faculty of Science Ms Therese Moon came up with the idea to recycle the large amount of lightweight plastic waste in the NaLSH."In the first three months of the new program, seven large bags of materials have been sent for recycling. It's hoped the scheme will be expanded in 2016.CSU has a target of achieving a 70 per cent diversion in waste going to landfill.

A PhD student at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga has taken out a national higher education photography award.Mr Syed Haris Omar, won the student category of an annual photography competition run by the Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability (ACTS). It is a non-profit member based organisation representing higher and further education institutions within Australia and New Zealand. Mr Haris, from the School of Biomedical Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga, took the photo at Manchester in the United Kingdom.Mr Haris said, "I love capturing the beautiful shots in my lenses. Natural landscapes, wild-life and beautiful fauna and flora of Australia further accelerated my passion."With the theme of Elemental Sustainability, the photography competition was held in conjunction with the 15th International ACTS Conference in Geelong last month.Mr Haris is an international student doing his PhD into the potential benefits of olive fruit and leaf compounds into the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Read more in CSU News here.

An exhibition of works by 11 final-year graphic design students is on display at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga until Friday 30 October. EXPORT is the 2015 graduate exhibition of multiple works by Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design (Graphic Design/Photography) and Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design (Graphic Design) students in the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries in Wagga Wagga. Lecturer in graphic design Dr Belinda Paulovich said EXPORT is a diverse showcase of multi-disciplinary graphic design practice that captures the collective creativity of the graduating students. "This exhibition represents the culmination of several years of hard work and illustrates the talent, skills and expertise of the group as they transition to professional practice," Dr Paulovich said. "I congratulate the students on the perseverance, dedication and professionalism they have demonstrated in making this exhibition happen, and I wish them all the very best in their future endeavours." The exhibition was formally opened on Friday 16 October by Dr Neill Overton, CSU senior lecturer in art history and visual culture and course director for the Master of Creative Practice. The opening night was well attended by staff, students, their families and friends. The EXPORT exhibition is at the HR Gallop Gallery (building 21), Darnell-Smith Drive (off car park 2) at CSU in Wagga Wagga until Friday 30 October.

An annual fundraising calendar by senior Charles Sturt University (CSU) students will be released this week to help a friend in need.  The RA Nude, But Not Too Rude Calendar 2016 goes on sale from 4pm on Friday 16 October at The Hub at CSU in Wagga Wagga. The Residential Advisors (RA) featured each month will be on hand to sign the calendars.The money raised from the sale of the 2016 calendar will be donated to help a former CSU student and Residential Advisor Ms Abbie McNaught.Calendar organiser and Head Resident of CSU's Hampden Village Ms Rhiannon Dally said, "The sale of the 2016 calender has special meaning for the Residence Life team this year."Abbie was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma Cancer earlier this year and is currently undergoing chemotherapy. We are hoping the money we raise from the calendar will assist her with the costs associated with her treatment."The printing costs of the 2016 calendar have been generously met by Stax Security in Bathurst.The RA Rude, But Not Too Rude Calendar is an annual fundraising initiative of Residence Life at CSU. It features CSU students who are employed by Residence Life to offer support and care for fellow students living in the CSU Residences.Read more about Residence Life on Facebook here. https://www.facebook.com/ResLifeCSU/timeline?ref=page_internal

A new workplace giving initiative for Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff to financially support students through scholarships will come to fruition at Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 14 October.Staff are presenting inaugural CSUgive Student, Research and Work placement Scholarships across the University during October.  Ms Caroline Love will receive a CSUgive Research Scholarship at 12.30pm on Wednesday 14 October at The Hub, building 20, at CSU in Wagga Wagga. Among the staff to attend the event will be Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Ken Dillon.Since the program started this year, staff have raised close to $20 000 to assist students with their undergraduate degrees, higher degree research or the cost of work placements.Manager of Alumni and Donor Relations at CSU Ms Gael Evans-Barr, said "I'm proud to say that 100 per cent of these funds have gone directly to assist Charles Sturt University students."CSUgive is a program designed to provide Charles Sturt University staff with another way to change lives through higher education."Ms Love's PhD is entitled Making Decisions on Water Trading: What are Irrigators' views? The Scholarship will go towards the cost of extensive travel in regional NSW to conduct interviews with farmers and other stakeholders.CSUgive scholarships are administered through the CSU Foundation Trust, a registered charity.Education is an enduring gift, and CSU Foundation Trust simply wouldn't be able to introduce scholarships like these without the support of valued donors. To find out more, or to make your own fortnightly donations please visit www.csu.edu.au/give

Charles Sturt University (CSU) academics specialising in paramedics and rural mental health will be among the guest speakers at the Rural Appreciation Weekend 2015 (RAW15) on the October long week-end near Wagga Wagga.The week-end is being organised by the Rural Allied Health and Medical Students (RAHMS) Club from University of NSW (UNSW). RAW15 has attracted over 150 allied health, nursing and medical university students from UNSW, CSU, the University of Wollongong and Western Sydney University. It is the first time, CSU allied health and nursing students will join their peers for the annual event.RAW15 is being held in the village of Tarcutta and is designed to expose health students to the positive aspects of rural practice and country living.Mr Sandy MacQuarrie from CSU's School of Biomedical Sciences will address the students on Saturday 3 October while Dr Gene Hodgins from the CSU School of Psychology will run Rural Mental Health workshops.On Sunday 4 October, a Farm and Emergency Service Day will be held on the property, Broula. The property is owned by Acting Executive Dean of the CSU Faculty of Science Associate Professor Lyn Angel and her husband Bruce Angel.Students will rotate through activities such as a shearing demonstration, wool classing, cattle handling as well as bushfire and road crash simulations.The Federal Member for Riverina The Hon. Michael McCormack and the State Member for Wagga The Hon. Mr Darryl Maguire and will join the university students for afternoon tea from 2.45pm on Sunday.