School leavers whose Australian Tertiary Admission Rank was not as high as they had hoped have been told they don't have to give up their university goals as Charles Sturt University (CSU) continues its Pathway Program in 2014. The program, a partnership between CSU and TAFE, runs for one year full-time and provides entry options for students who applied to CSU but were unsuccessful or who needed further preparation. Pathway coordinator Ms Sandra Fisher said the program offered multiple benefits. "Upon completion, students receive a Diploma of General Studies from Charles Sturt University and the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation from TAFE," she said. "They are also guaranteed entry into a range of CSU degrees and may receive credit for some subjects."  CSU offers the Pathway Program on campus in Bathurst, Wagga Wagga and Albury, and by Distance Education through CSU Dubbo campus.

How to better equip pre-service teachers for inter-cultural understanding is the focus of a one-day teacher education conference at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Friday 7 February. The conference organiser, Dr Kathryn Edgeworth, a lecturer at the CSU School of Teacher Education, said, "Inter-cultural understanding is about preparing students to be active, informed, global citizens with a critical appreciation of Australia's social and cultural diversity. Participants will examine how education professionals in urban and rural locations can best prepare pre-service teachers to work in increasingly diverse cultural and linguistic contexts. Primary and secondary school teachers are welcome to attend this free one-day conference." The conference runs from 8.30am to 3pm in building N17 at CSU in Bathurst. More information about the conference can be found here, and the conference program is here. Associate Professor Carole Reid from the School of Education and Centre for Educational Research at the University of Western Sydney (UWS) will present a keynote address, and researchers from CSU, UWS, and Deakin University will participate.

How to better equip pre-service teachers for intercultural understanding is the focus of a one-day teacher education conference at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Friday 7 February. The conference organiser, Dr Kathryn Edgeworth, a lecturer at the CSU School of Teacher Education, said, "Intercultural understanding is about preparing students to be active, informed, global citizens with a critical appreciation of Australia's social and cultural diversity. Participants will examine how education professionals in urban and rural locations can best prepare pre-service teachers to work in increasingly diverse cultural and linguistic contexts. Primary and secondary school teachers are welcome to attend this free one-day conference." The conference runs from 8.30am to 3pm in building N17 at CSU in Bathurst. More information about the conference can be found here, and the conference program is here Associate Professor Carole Reid from the School of Education and Centre for Educational Research at the University of Western Sydney (UWS) will present a keynote address, and researchers from CSU, UWS, and Deakin University will participate.

The Mayor of Wagga Wagga, Councillor Rod Kendall, will this week formally welcome to Australia five new Charles Sturt University (CSU) students from developing countries. The students have secured Australia Awards Scholarships from the federal government to study at CSU in Orange and Wagga Wagga from 2014. The mayoral reception will be held from 3pm Thursday 6 February, upstairs at the Civic Theatre, Burns Way in Wagga Wagga. The five students from Ghana, Lesotho, Nigeria, South Africa, and Vietnam will study either the Master of Animal Science or Master of Sustainable Agriculture. Until the start of on-campus classes on Monday 3 March, the students will participate in an Introductory Academic Program to familiarize themselves with life and study in Australia. They will also participate in the University's week-long Orientation 2014 from Monday 24 February. The University's senior learning skills advisor, Dr Peter Butler, said, "These six Australia Awards scholars have the ability to use their new knowledge to bring change in their countries. This is the first year that four scholars will have come from Africa."

Women new to motherhood or about to embark on the journey are being sought for a study at Charles Sturt University (CSU). PhD student Ms Amanda King from the School of Psychology at CSU in Bathurst is investigating influences on the infant-mother relationship, as well as factors that influence a woman's adjustment to motherhood.  Ms King said, "I am seeking both prenatal and postnatal women for the project but they must be first-time mothers. Those who are currently pregnant will be asked to complete an online survey during their third trimester, and again at six months postpartum. Participants in the study who have already given birth will only need to complete a questionnaire at six months postpartum." Funded by the parenting organisation, Karitane, Ms King's research aims to establish a comprehensive understanding of the transition to parenthood, and may provide an important avenue for facilitating adjustment during this period. Go here for further information or to participate in the research. https://www.facebook.com/motherinfantinteractions

It is a positive start to 2014 for Charles Sturt University (CSU) wine science and viticulture student, Mr Nicholas Schirripa. He has been named the winner of the Graham Thorpe Memorial Scholarship, a national award from the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation (RASF) as part of the Sydney Royal Wine Show. As part of the scholarship, the CSU student is a steward at the Show this week. Mr Schirripa, from Griffith, is studying a double degree through the University's School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences in Wagga Wagga.  Mr Schirripa said, "I am grateful for the guidance and support of my lecturers during my studies. I am hoping to do Charles Sturt University proud at the judging at the Sydney Royal Wine Show." In his final year of study, Mr Schirripa is an assistant winemaker and viticulturalist at Casella Wines in the Riverina. The Sydney Royal Wine Scholarship is an initiative of the RASF and the Macquarie Group Sydney Royal Wine Show.

Health researchers from around the NSW Central West have been invited to join forces as part of the Western NSW Health Research Network. The network includes universities, government agencies and peak bodies with interests in rural health, and is committed to reducing the health inequalities of people living, studying and working in western NSW. A social networking event is scheduled for the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Winery Cellar Door in Orange on Wednesday 12 March. Dr Heather Robinson, Head of Campus at CSU in Orange, said anyone with an interest in the field was welcome. "The challenge in rural health research can be getting a critical mass," she said. "There are a lot of groups working in the area, but by joining forces we can more effectively compete for research funding, take on larger projects, and make better use of everyone's skills." The event will be held at the Charles Sturt University Cellar Door, Leeds Parade Orange, Wednesday 12 March, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Call Ms Kerry Madden on (02) 6365 7500 to RSVP or email kmadden@csu.edu.au .

Charles Sturt University (CSU) researchers are inviting Deniliquin district residents with an interest in protecting the natural environment and encouraging sustainable living to a community forum on Monday 3 February. The meeting is the first of several activities within the 'Our Place' project, which is resourced by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage. Project leader Dr Helen Masterman-Smith said the event aimed to share knowledge of existing activities in the district and discuss ways that the project resources can assist them. "We will use the results of the meeting to develop a community survey that will provide a clearer picture of residents' practices, such as use of water tanks and vegetable gardens, and how much they know about the special features of the district's natural environment, as well as their interests, concerns, views and ideas." The initial community meeting will be held from 5.45pm to 7.30pm in the Meeting Room at the Deniliquin RSL Club. Dr Masterman-Smith said, "It's a terrific opportunity for the district's local communities to learn more about what is happening in their area, to boost existing initiatives and generate new activities." For more information or to register for the meeting, contact Dr Helen Masterman-Smith on (02) 6051 9190 or send her an email.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga will welcome children, their families, and staff into a new $4 million child care centre from Wednesday 22 January. The Early Learning and Nurture Centre (EL+NC) accommodates up to 56 children who will be cared for in five classrooms, each tailored to different age groups – from birth up to five years old. Centre Director Ms Megan Isaac said, "We are thrilled to have a truly magnificent purpose-built building which will allow us to provide the highest quality care and education." The opening coincides with the first early childhood education course to be offered at CSU in Wagga Wagga. Early Childhood Lecturer with CSU's School of Education  Ms Sheena Elwick said the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) graduates will be accredited to teach from birth to 12 years old making them highly employable. "The new Early Learning and Nurture Centre at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga will be one of many centres students can apply to for their professional experience while studying their degree," she said. "Occasional visits may also be arranged as part of classes for students to see the practical and real-time application of the content they are learning".