Year 12 high schools students from across the NSW central west will attend the annual FACTS Day (Facts About Careers and Tertiary Study) at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Thursday 8 May. FACTS Day is organised by the Central West Careers Advisers Association to assist students explore their future career and employment opportunities. CSU Prospective Student Adviser, Ms Melinda Negus, said, "FACTS Day provides regional final year high school students the opportunity to speak with a range of education providers, and hear a motivational speaker. It is also an opportunity for students to experience and tour a Charles Sturt University campus. As with previous years, we expect about 1 000 Year 12 students from schools in Bathurst, Lithgow, Kandos, Oberon, Blayney, Cowra, Canowindra, Orange, Molong and Wellington will seek information from about 120 representatives of more than 60 career and employer organisations, including universities, private providers, TAFE, Centrelink, police, and other government agencies."

Journalism students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) gained insights into the rapidly changing world of media and news when two representatives of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) addressed them this week. Ms Heather Forbes, manager of ABC News staff development and policy, and ABC video journalist Mr Allan Clarke, visited CSU in Bathurst on Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 April to discuss with students the dynamic media world they explore now and will seek employment in when they graduate. Journalism lecturer at the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries in Bathurst, Ms Kay Nankervis, said, "We're delighted that the ABC, Australia's leading news service and broadcaster, takes an interest in the development of Charles Sturt University journalism students and regularly recruits our graduates for careers with the national broadcaster. Students benefit from the insights they gain from hearing the advice of senior industry practitioners like Ms Forbes and video journalist Mr Clarke."

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) in Bathurst will host 'The Big Day In' on Thursday 1 May to provide information for students in Years 9 to 12 and at university who are interested in studying for careers in technology. Mr Jason Howarth, course director at the CSU School of Computing and Mathematics, said "The Big Day In offers high school students a great chance to learn more about the varied career opportunities in the technology industry. There has never been a better time to enter into an IT career. A skill shortage is looming with around 100 000 IT jobs created over the past decade but less than half that number of students graduating with a technology degree. And forget the stereotypes of IT workers as 'back-room geeks', because IT is needed in nearly every business, so career opportunities are as varied as the businesses that rely on it." A range of speakers from IBM, WiseTech Global and more will talk about the future of technology, as well as exhibitors from LEGO Education, WiseTech Global, Group X, IBM and more. The Big Day In will be held at the Centre for Professional Development (building 1285) at CSU in Bathurst from 9am to 2.30pm on Thursday 1 May. CSU is one of 10 locations to host the event around Australia.

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.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff and students will be able to recharge their mobile phones and devices like iPads, iPods and laptops while they exercise when the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andrew Vann, launches 'Ride and Recharge' at the CSU Library Learning Commons in Bathurst on Wednesday 30 April. Ms Kate Hadley, acting Manager Business Services in the University's Division of Library Services said the stationary exercise bike connects to a generator creating battery power which then connects to an inverter. The 'cyclist' can recharge their mobile phone or device by plugging it into the inverter. The energy output data is displayed on a screen in front of the 'cyclist'. "This fun and interactive sustainability initiative by the Division of Library Services will engage students and staff, and instil an energy conservation message," Ms Hadley said. "The 'Ride and Recharge' initiative will provide an alternative reliable, clean, green source of power in the University Bathurst Learning Commons. By simply riding the bike, users can produce sufficient human-generated power to charge low power consumption items while increasing fitness and reducing energy costs and their carbon footprint." The 'Ride and Recharge' initiative was funded through CSU Green's Sustainability Grant program and developed with the assistance of many stakeholders.

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.

Year-12 students interested to study sports journalism and communication at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst are attending a MyDay information event today, Monday 14 April. CSU prospective student adviser, Ms Melinda Negus, said, "This is an excellent opportunity for students to gain information and insights as well as some hands-on experience with careers they can study for at the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries. We have 42 students registered for this event from seven central west schools - Condobolin High School, Cowra High School, Kinross Wolaroi, Molong Central School, Orange Christian School, Orange High School, Red Bend Catholic College – and from schools elsewhere." Students from outside the region will attend from Abbotsleigh School for Girls, Bomaderry High School, Colo High School, Evans High School, Hennessy Catholic College, Jindabyne Central School, John Therry Catholic High School, Loreto Kirribilli, Loreto Normanhurst, Mackillop College, Mater Dei Catholic College, MLC Burwood, Newtown High School of the Performing Arts, Ravenswood School for Girls, St Josephs Catholic College (Gosford), St Pauls College Walla Walla, TAFE – Goulburn Campus, Turramurra High School, Wenona School, and Wyndham College (Sydney).