The first Charles Sturt University (CSU) students to complete a Master of Islamic Studies are preparing to graduate at a ceremony in Parramatta on December 14. The course is delivered through CSU's Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation (CISAC), which was established in 2009 in collaboration with the Islamic Sciences and Research Academy (ISRA). Centre director Associate Professor Mehmet Ozalp said the graduation was a significant achievement for the students, and the whole CISAC team. "We could not be more proud to achieve such a milestone, it means a great deal to us and the Muslim community of Australia," he said. "This is a historic moment for Muslims in Australia. They can now study Islam as a faith tradition in an Australian University without having to go overseas for study. "I know the University's staff and students, and the wider community, join me in congratulating our graduands and wishing them every success in their future endeavours."

Staff at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Port Macquarie have shifted up a gear in their approach to a greener, cleaner lifestyle. Six new bicycles were presented to staff last week for travel between the Grant Street Campus and Clarence Street offices – a distance of about 1.1 kilometres. Staff members were quick to test out the pushbikes at the official launch, which also included a workshop on bike maintenance and cycle safety, run by cycle enthusiast Lloyd Newell of Gordon Street Cycles where the bikes were purchased. Port Macquarie businesses Khodary's Pharmacy and Hastings Dental Centre also provided health and fitness showbags for staff. CSU encourages staff and students to cycle to and from campus whenever possible, however, the staff bike initiative is a first for the University. "CSU in Port Macquarie is a bit different to our other campuses. Having the two locations, with a third soon to come in Munster Street, has made us look at some different approaches. This bike system is a good one as it's something that every member of staff can access," says CSU Green manager Ed Maher. "As well as helping CSU reduce its emissions associated with travel, this project will also provide a fun and fitness element for staff.

Work has commenced to enhance the road entry to Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst. Mr Mark Adams, project manager with the CSU Division of Facilities Management, said, "Road works, a new roundabout and associated works, including landscaping, will improve the ceremonial access to the University from Panorama Avenue. The work near the intersection of Mitchell Drive and Village Drive on campus, will also allow for more prominent placement of directories and maps at the entrance to the campus. It will create a new look and feel to the entranceway of the campus in Bathurst in time for Orientation Week in February 2014." The work will widen Mitchell Drive to better accommodate traffic entering and exiting the campus and will simplify traffic movements at the junction of the internal roads. Mitchell Drive will become the 'spine road' into the centre of the campus. A proposed new road will link the roundabout and 'spine road' to the CSU Dental Clinic and the new Community Engagement and Wellness Centre clinics, funded by Health Workforce Australia as an Australian Government initiative. The road upgrade is estimated to cost $1.5 million and is part of the new Community Engagement and Wellness Centre.

A multi-layered possum skin cloak is on special display at the William Merrylees Library at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga to showcase the work of Indigenous artist and CSU graduate Dr Treahna Hamm. Cloaks created by Dr Hamm have been purchased by major galleries and museums including the National Gallery of Australia, National Museum of Australia, Australian National Maritime Museum, Museum of World Culture in Frankfurt, Germany and the Albury Regional Gallery as well as by private collectors in Australia and overseas. One of Dr Hamm's possum skin cloaks from the Albury Regional Gallery Collection was worn by Ngambri Elder, Aunty Matilda House-Williams during the Welcome to Country at the 44th Opening of Federal Parliament in Canberra on Tuesday 12 November. Dr Hamm's most recent cloak, Emu Cummeragunja Woka (Emu homelands) is on display at CSU into the New Year. The artist graduated from CSU in Wagga Wagga with a Masters of Visual Arts in 2000. The cloak highlights the evolution of the artist's practice and technique using ochre as well as other traditional methods of painting derived from the landscape of Dhungala – the Murray River. The emu feathers which adorn the cloak have strong family links and are symbolic of the stories to one of Dr Hamm's family clans the Wollithica of the Yorta Yorta Nation.

More than 130 graduates, including about 30 graduating dentists, and 450 guests are expected to celebrate the end of the university year at a graduation ceremony for Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange on Tuesday, 17 December. The ceremony will see students graduate from courses in agricultural business management, clinical science, dental science,pharmacy and physiotherapy. The new graduates will join almost 3 400 other successful students to graduate from CSU inAlbury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Canberra, Orange and Wagga Wagga over the next week. They will include the first dentists to graduate from the Bachelor of Dental Science, which began in 2009. The first Bachelor Physiotherapy graduates from CSU in Orange are concluding their final placements and will graduate early next year. Head of Campus Dr Heather Robinson said this year's graduation was especially significant for the University's efforts to redress rural health workforce shortages. "Charles Sturt University has shown in the past that by training rural students close to home, and by creating a curriculum specifically suited to rural practice, we can make a difference to the accessibility of rural health services," she said. "It's why rural students make up about half our paramedic, psychology and pharmacy enrolments, but more than three quarters of those graduates go on to rural careers. We look forward to following the careers of our class of 2013 with interest, and in working with them to ensure our communities continue to prosper into the future.Media note: Media are welcome to attend the CSU graduation ceremony at Kinross Wolaroi School, 59-67 Bathurst Road in Orange from 3pm, Tuesday, 17 December. Contact CSU Media for further details.

More than 100 graduates are expected to celebrate the end of their tertiary studies at a graduation ceremony for Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo on Tuesday, 17 December. The ceremony will see students graduate from courses includingaccounting, business, education, nursing and social work. The new graduates will join almost 3 400 other successful students to graduate from CSU in Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Canberra, Orange and Wagga Wagga over the next week. Head of Campus Dr Beverley Moriarty said the event marked a special time in the life and career of each graduate. "Graduation is a very significant milestone for all our students, for their families and for the staff who have worked with them during their time at Charles Sturt University," she said. "It's a milestone worth celebrating. Not only have these students successfully completed their studies, but many of them are about to embark on new and exciting stages in their lives and careers. Our students will go on to join local health services, or to teach at our schools, or to work as professionals in the community, and we hope their time with us will serve them well for the years ahead. On behalf of all of us at Charles Sturt University in Dubbo, I'd like to congratulate all of our graduates and wish them every success in the future."

More than 1 500 graduates and 4 000 family and friends will attend seven graduation ceremonies over three days at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst, from Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 December. The Head of Campus, Mr Col Sharp, will welcome graduates, their families and friends at these special ceremonies. "Graduations are always a joyous time, and I look forward to celebrating the achievements of the 2013 graduates, along with their families and friends and the wider University community," Mr Sharp said. "This is a defining point in the life of each of these Charles Sturt University students. Many will be receiving their first undergraduate degree, while others will gain a postgraduate award. A large number of prizes will also be awarded for outstanding academic achievement. Charles Sturt University is proud of its record in providing capable graduates across a wide range of disciplines." The 2013 graduation schedule at CSU in Bathurst includes: 9.30am Wednesday 18 December, Faculty of Science - 212 graduates; award of University Medal to Ms Angie Bulic, Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic), School of Biomedical Sciences-       Occasional address by Mr Jamie Newman, CEO Orange Aboriginal Medical Service, a CSU alumnus and a member of CSU University Council. 1.30pm Wednesday 18 December, Faculty of Arts - 190 graduates-       Occasional Address by Professor John Tulloch, who will receive the award of Emeritus Professor 5.30pm Wednesday 18 December, Faculty of Arts - 172 graduates-       Occasional Address by Associate Professor Chika Anyanwu, Head of the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries 9.30am Thursday 19 December, Faculty of Education - 237 graduates-       Occasional Address by The Hon. Linda Burney, MP (a MCAE graduate) 3pm Thursday 19 December, Faculty of Education - 203 graduates-       Occasional Address by Professor Bill Green, who will receive the award of Emeritus Professor 9.30am Friday 20 December, Faculty of Business - 322 graduates-       Occasional Address by Mr Michael Ebeid, CEO of SBS (a CSU graduate) 3pm Friday 20 December, Faculty of Business - 188 graduates-       Occasional Address by Dr Greg Low, CEO and Principal Mentor of SQL Down Under.

How do beef producers in Australia's northern and southern beef zones recognise and manage emergency animal disease? A new project at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga and James Cook University in Queensland is seeking to answer this question and determine the most effective and efficient strategies for communicating with producers about biosecurity. Researchers recently distributed a survey to beef producers in the Riverina and Hume Livestock Health and Pest Authorities, asking about their on-farm biosecurity practices. "Producer responses to our survey will help ensure that we can continue to work towards protecting Australia's beef industry from emergency disease risks such as foot and mouth, and maintain our 'low risk' disease trade status," said researcher Ms Luzia Rast from the Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation. "Responses will also allow us to build a picture of beef producers knowledge and practices regarding disease threats and the implications for recognition and reporting of emergency animal diseases. In the survey, producers can volunteer to participate in follow up face-to-face interviews. "We are looking for 30 to 40 beef producers to participate in these interviews and will select producers randomly from those who volunteer," Ms Rast said. The project is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Producers who would like further information about the project or surveys should contact Ms Rast on lrast@csu.edu.au.

The Islamic Students Association of Riverina (ISAR) recently attended the inaugural Australasian Conference on Islam, co-hosted by CSU's Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation and the Islamic Sciences and Research Academy of Australia. Members of the Club were interested to attend the event to get an insight of the Australian culture in context of Islam. Club President Mr Syed Haris Omar said, "It was a great platform to meet many dignitaries and high profile speakers." Club Secretary Ms Saba Nabi said, "The Club participated in the Conference as an induction for next year's Orientation for the newly arrived international students at Charles Sturt University. When international students arrive in Australia, especially those from a Muslim country, they can be confused about myths associated with Australia. This Conference really helped us to develop our plan to assist the commencing students. Australia is a great multi-cultural country where you have equal right to live and express your opinions and some of the Conference speakers shared some fantastic personnel experiences of living in Australia." Read more about the Conference here.