Two Riverina artists have embraced the theme of International Women's Day 'Make it Happen' by curating a new exhibition at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga. Lecturer from the School of Communication and Creative Industries, Ms Julie Montgarrett and creative producer from The Cad Factory Ms Sarah McEwan are curators of the exhibition, RE//ASSEMBLING in the University's HR Gallop Gallery. Marking the 40th anniversary of International Women's Day, the exhibition will feature 21 female artists from the eastern and western Riverina. RE//ASSEMBLING will showcase weaving, installation, video, photography, painting, sculpture and printmaking. An official opening will be held from 2pm to 4pm on Sunday 8 March with women's health advocate Ms Jan Roberts OAM, the guest speaker. The exhibition runs from Friday 6 to Wednesday 25 March. The HR Gallop Gallery is part of the University's School of Communication and Creative Industries, building 21, Darnell Smith Drive, CSU in Wagga Wagga. It is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and on week-ends by appointment.

Building upon a growing demand for agricultural education at Charles Sturt University (CSU) is the key focus of the new Head of the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences, Professor Gavin Ash. Deputy Director of the Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Professor Ash specialises in plant pathology, has a strong research background and a long career in agricultural education. Professor Ash said CSU has more than a thousand agricultural undergraduate students and enrolments in the Bachelor of Agricultural Science and Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management have steadily increased. "Students are recognising that there are very good opportunities for agricultural scientists in terms of the diversity of jobs and the remuneration," he said. "Agriculture is a power-house in terms of research at Charles Sturt University and with new facilities we have an opportunity to build our profile, not just in southern NSW but overseas in places like South East Asia."  Professor Ash's research has focused on exploring innovative approaches to the management of diseases, weeds, insects, nematodes and molluscs in annual crops such as wheat, rice, canola and perennial crops such as grapevines. Professor Ash replaces Professor John Mawson who will take up a role of Professor of Food Engineering, working with the Faculty of Science on specific projects.

Last minute preparations are being made at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga ahead of the arrival of about 1 000 new students for Orientation Week (O Week) from Monday 23 February. Five O Week student coordinators, supported by the University's Office for Students, have been working behind the scenes to prepare the academic, social and sporting program. Highlights include the official Commencement Ceremony hosted by the head of Campus at CSU in Wagga Wagga, Ms Miriram Dayhew in Joyes Hall (building 209) from 10am on Monday 23 February. The ceremony will be followed Market Day from 11am (outside Dining Hall building 230). There are also information sessions on enrolment, specific courses, student accommodation as well as session for international and mature age students, parents and supporters of new students. Social events during the week include O Fest! at the CSU pool, Tropical Night and O Party! at the Crow Bar. Money raised by the O Week coordinators across the University will be donated to Headspace. You can access the full O Week program here.

A chemistry magic show with 'screaming jelly babies' and 'elephant's toothpaste' will be a highlight of the HSC Chemistry Days at CSU in Wagga Wagga next week. CSU academics will share their passion for science with more than 250 year 12 students at the annual event, which is held in conjunction with the Eastern Riverina Science Teachers Association (ERSTA). CSU lecturer in chemistry and program leader for the Bachelor of Science at CSU, Dr Celia Barril said there are plenty of hands on activities. "Students will be performing titrations, pH measurements and learning about Atomic Absorption, which are part of the HSC Chemistry Curriculum," she said. "It's also an opportunity for students to learn about applications of science to everyday life by interviewing scientists and get a taste of university life."

A tool to help grape growers plant healthier vines, developed by Charles Sturt University (CSU) PhD student Ms Helen Waite, has been released as a free mobile phone App. The Fit Vine risk assessment tool aims to reduce trunk disease transmission in grape vine rootlings. Ms Waite said "Un-healthy vines are less productive and produce poorer quality fruit so it's important growers have as much information as possible about the vines they're planting." The Fit Vine App is available for free on iTunes here.  Read more about Ms Waite's research through the National Wine and Grape Industry Centre at CSU in Wagga Wagga on CSU News here.

The 2014 Vintage Dinner at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga will be a chance to raise a glass and toast the University's retiring Chancellor Mr Lawrie Willett AO. More than 250 guests are expected to attend the event at the CSU Convention Centre on Friday 14 November. Vintage Dinner host and Head of Campus of CSU in Wagga Wagga Ms Miriam Dayhew said, "This will be Lawrie Willett's last formal occasion in Wagga Wagga after 12 years as our Chancellor and it's a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge his contribution to the University and the local community while celebrating the 2014 Vintage." The evening will showcase CSU wines from various vintages, the tables decorated with CSU lavender and people will be entertained by local musician Mr Jarryn Phegan.

The future for higher education in Griffith and the western Riverina is positive with the renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Griffith City Council, TAFE NSW Riverina Institute and Charles Sturt University (CSU) on Friday 24 October. The MoU aims for the three organisations to continue to actively support and develop higher education opportunities for the communities of Griffith and the western Riverina. The key aim of the project is to provide a flexible and innovative education model for higher education in the region through the Regional University Study Centre which is part of the Griffith Campus of Riverina Institute. The three organisations have been working together formally since 2007 when they signed the inaugural Memorandum of Understanding and agreed to work together as part of the Western Riverina Higher Education Project. CSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Ken Dillon said, "This model has proved successful in bringing higher education to rural areas, particularly in Griffith. "There are two important aspects of the study centre model – the support we provide to distance education students, particularly as we are the largest university provider of distance education in Australia, and also the opportunity to provide a smooth pathway for our TAFE students who account for one third of Charles Sturt University students."

Relive the excitement of a Charles Sturt University (CSU) student Ms Saba Nabi taking out the 2014 NSW International Student Award. A new video has been posted online by StudyNSW. The video captures the build-up to the Awards ceremony at the Opera House in Sydney last month and the naming of Ms Nabi as the winner of the state-wide competition. CSU Vice-Chancellor Andrew Vann is among those in the video to praise Ms Nabi who moved from New Delhi in India to CSU in Wagga Wagga in 2011 to undertake a PhD. She used her acceptance speech to urge other international students to study in regional Australia. Ms Nabi is in the School of Biomedical Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga.  You can view the StudyNSW video here.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff and students in Wagga Wagga will don hats to raise awareness and break down the stigma associated with mental illness on Friday 10 October. The Mad Hatters Tea Party is an initiative of the Office for Students at catering at CSU. Health Promotion Officer Ms Coleen Pearce said "This event is all about shining a light on mental health, encouraging people to be aware of the issues and to look out for the well-being of their colleagues and friends," she said. Money raised from the sale of cupcakes will be donated to the Australian Rotary Health Hat Day appeal which raises money to help people affected by depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and many other illnesses. The Mad Hatters Tea Party is the culmination of a month-long mental health awareness campaign, which has included a Sock it to Suicide line.