More than 540 school leavers who successfully applied for courses at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga through the Principal’s Report Entry Program (PREP) will be acknowledged during a morning tea ceremony on Wednesday 7 December. Coordinator of the early entry PREP scheme, Mr Matthew Evans said the scheme has grown in size and prestige in recent years with Charles Sturt University offering more than 1 360 students a place through PREP in 2011. “We received almost 2 000 applications for the PREP scheme this year and the standard of the applications continues to increase, meaning we can offer degree entry to the best students early and the successful applicants can start preparing for their university education. PREP is an early entry scheme designed to attract academically talented students from high schools and TAFE in non metropolitan areas in NSW, ACT and Victoria.” This is the first year CSU has formally celebrated the PREP offers with a morning tea ceremony.

After a decade as the institution’s chief executive, the Vice-Chancellor and President of Charles Sturt University (CSU), Professor Ian Goulter will be farewelled by staff at the University in Bathurst on Friday 2 December. The Head of Campus at CSU in Bathurst, Mr Col Sharp, will host the event and has invited all staff to attend and enjoy the end of year celebration. “There is no doubt that Charles Sturt University has developed significantly under the leadership of Professor Goulter, our Vice-Chancellor of the last 10 years,” Mr Sharp said. “Charles Sturt University in Bathurst has been a key part of the organisation’s overall success, and staff are looking forward to expressing their appreciation to Professor Goulter for his work over this time. We wish him good health, happiness and continued success in his life ahead.”  

Having grown up in Paris, France, dentist Dr Yasmina Andreani now calls Dubbo home. She recently started work at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Dental and Oral Health Clinic in Dubbo where she is available Mondays and Tuesdays, with the potential to increase to more days in 2012. Dr Andreani travels to Sydney most weeks to tutor at the University of Sydney where she obtained both her science and dentistry degrees with Honours. “I moved to Dubbo after working in Sydney for a while and I love the relaxing lifestyle that Dubbo offers,” said Dr Andreani. After working at two local dental surgeries, Dr Andreani is enjoying her new position at CSU. “I love the independence as a dentist here and the fantastic support that Charles Sturt University offers to staff.” Patients can benefit from the electronic claiming service, HICAPS, which enables patients to do on-the-spot claims.  Government assistance plans and public health vouchers are also accepted. Appointments can be made on 1300 278 642.

Organisers expect about 165 participants at the annual TechNet 2011 National Conference at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst from Wednesday 30 November to Friday 2 December. Mr Jim Watt, laboratory manager in the School of Biomedical Sciences at CSU in Bathurst, said, “The event conference will attract participants from tertiary institutions all over Australia and beyond. The theme of the conference is ‘Balancing Change’, which reflects the challenges faced by all technical staff in the constantly evolving university sector. It is an opportunity for technicians to share knowledge, liaise with distant colleagues, and inspect the many trade displays and some of the latest technology.” Keynote speaker is Ms Libby Hall, Manager of the Taronga Wildlife Hospital, who has over 20 years experience as a wildlife specialist. Workshops and sessions include topics such as: collaboration; the technical spirit; approaches to energy efficiency projects at universities; balancing change - a technician’s role; asset management; the National Life Sciences Hub at CSU; use of open source and freeware in universities; and remote laboratory for interactive learning.

From laboratory testing to sloshing around in rice paddies and working in a winery, a student camp with a difference is being hosted by the Primary Industries Centre for Science Education (PICSE) from Monday 28 November. The experience aims to give high school students an insight into science career paths. The 15 students from years 11 and 12 from the Wagga Wagga region will attend the week-long camp based at Charles Sturt University (CSU). They’ll see the cutting edge research being carried out at the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences and School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga before travelling to the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area to visit a farm, feedlot, winery and food processor. The tour will also take in the NSW Department of Primary Industries’ Narrandera Fisheries Centre. Students will critique their experiences early in 2012 at the PICSE formal reporting back session.

Five days of intense academic discussion about infant and toddler education and care starts at Charles Sturt Univeristy (CSU) in Bathurst on Monday 21 November. Professor Jennifer Sumsion from the School of Teacher Education at CSU in Bathurst said, “This important five-day Symposium on Infant-Toddler Education and Care: Exploring Diverse Perspectives on Theory, Research, Practice and Policy will see academics from Charles Sturt University examine a range of issues with international researchers and authors from the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, New Zealand, Finland, and the United States. In essence, we will explore the current knowledge and research about how infants and toddlers conceive themselves and their worlds as they grow, and what are the ideal circumstances and environment to support and promote healthy growth.” The symposium will promote proposals for collaboration on conference papers, a book, and a special scholarly journal issue. On Friday 25 November there is also a session from 11am to 1.30pm open to interested local members of the profession and the public.

Sustainability in all its forms – personal, professional, environmental and financial – is the focus of this year’s Building Bridges regional conference to be held at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga on Thursday 17 and Friday 18 November. One keynote speaker, Ms Tracey Young from Melbourne, believes early childhood education can play an important role in promoting environmental sustainability in the community. Ms Young has a background in early education and care and a lifelong interest in environmental and animal welfare. Head of CSU’s Murray School of Education, Associate Professor Louise Hard said the annual conference aims to strengthen partnerships between early childhood education professionals from both sides of the NSW –Victorian border. She said organising the event was a joint effort between CSU, Wodonga TAFE, Albury and Wodonga City Councils and Gateway Community Health. Around 100 participants are due to attend from cities, towns and organisations on both sides of the border.

The role science plays in helping agriculture meet the global challenge of feeding almost nine billion people by 2050 will be the key topic of discussion among school teachers at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga next week. The Primary Industries Centre for Science Education (PICSE) will host 10 teachers from the Riverina, Victoria and South Australia for two days of professional development from Monday 21 November. Centre Education Officer, Ms Emma Wordsworth said the aim is to showcase some of the science careers within food and fibre production. “We also want to give teachers some practical ideas about how to incorporate primary industries into their science lessons,” she said. Teachers will hear from researchers, participate in practical sessions and sample CSU cheese and wine. PICSE encourages school students to study science and go on to careers in primary industries.

A group that donated money towards upgrading equipment for the FalconCam Project at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange will see the results of their generosity on Thursday 17 November. The 30 Squadron RAAF Beaufighter Association was immediately drawn to the peregrine falcons at CSU, explains project coordinator Mr Scott Banks. “After seeing early media reports on the project, the Association contacted us advising that its emblem comprises a peregrine falcon holding a lightning bolt. It is fitting that they are now so closely connected to the project.  When the first chick was born three days after a direct lightning strike on the water tower, it was named Migii meaning ‘lightning’ in the Wiradjuri language.” Six members of the 30 Squadron RAAF Beaufighter Association will visit CSU in Orange to view the water tower where the birds live and to see how their contribution has enabled people from all over the world to watch live streaming of the peregrine falcons.