A charity to support the families of children receiving medical treatment in Wagga Wagga will benefit from the generosity of construction workers from the National Life Sciences Hub project at Charles Sturt University (CSU). The project’s contractor, Joss Construction will donate $2 500 to Ronald McDonald House Wagga Wagga at 10am on Monday 7 May. The money has been raised by gold coin donations during fortnightly barbecues involving Joss Construction and sub-contractors working on the large complex since late 2010. Joss Construction hosted the regular barbecues to coincide with Site Safety Meetings. The $45 million National Life Sciences Hub is due to be handed over to the University’s Faculty of Science by July. It includes teaching laboratories, a research complex, glasshouses and controlled environment facilities for plant growth. The project has been jointly funded by the Federal Government as part of the Education Investment Fund and CSU.

Recent years have seen a rise across Australasia in the construction of new glasshouses and other controlled growth chambers for plant research to replace outdated facilities from the 1950s and 1960s. Scientists, technicians and managers involved in plant biology research in controlled environments will meet at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga from Tuesday 1 May to Thursday 3 May. The A will hold its 6th conference to discuss new facilities in Australia and overseas, the latest technology supporting glasshouses or controlled environments including lighting, electronic controls and robotics, along with the latest research. The conference is being held at the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences, at CSU in Wagga Wagga, where preparations are underway to open a $45 million National Life Sciences Hub in June, which includes a glasshouse complex for advanced research into the interactions between soil, climate and plant biology, and pathology. “It is important to know how plants interact with the climate, particularly the changing climate, in relation to productivity. These facilities are a key part of the research infrastructure required to investigate such interactions,” said Senior Lecturer in Viticulture Dr Dennis Greer. The conference’s keynote speaker is Professor Bruce Bugbee from the Department of Plants, Soils and Biometeorology at Utah State University in the USA.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) Agricultural and Wine Sciences lecturer Dr Igor Novak has been recognised for his outstanding work in the field of science with the Croation Academy of Sciences and Arts Award. Along with a Croatian collaborator, Dr Novak has published 50 articles in international refereed chemistry journals in the last 10 years. “The award was given specifically for our work published in 2011, which deals with the relationship between the electronic structure and biological activity of the pesticides Atrazine, Bromoxynil and Organochlorine insecticides,” he said. “Our work described details of such activity at the molecular level and is the first of its kind where electronic structures of pesticides molecules had been studied experimentally.” Dr Novak was pleasantly surprised by the recognition. “I was surprised and very pleased by the award, especially since the award is mostly given to scientists working in Croatia.”

Cloudstreet - the acclaimed Australian play based on Tim Winton’s novel of the same name – will be presented by the University Theatre Ensemble (UTE) in Wagga Wagga from Thursday 31 May. Adapted for the stage by Nick Enright and Justin Monjo and directed by Kim Hardwick from the School of Communication and Creative Industries at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga, Cloudstreet follows the relationship between the Lambs and Pickles families, who live in the same house in post-war Perth. The UTE production involves third year Bachelor of Arts (Acting for Screen and Stage) and Bachelor of Arts (Design for Theatre and Television) students . The play runs until Saturday 9 June at the Civic Theatre, Burns Way in Wagga Wagga. Tickets are available on 02 6926 9688 or here.

The 2012 Higher School Certificate (HSC) Seminar Day for Year 12 students from high schools across the NSW central west will be held at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Tuesday 19 June. Ms Kerry Browning, manager of the CSU Contact Centre which provides information and advice to prospective students, said organisers estimate about 300 students will attend the day to gain information relevant to their HSC exams. “The students will attend separate seminars and lectures on a variety of HSC topics provided by experienced HSC teachers, and the day will provide a positive experience of life at university,” Ms Browning said. The HSC Study Day is an initiative of secondary teachers with the NSW Department of Education and Communities in the region, and is sponsored by CSU. Coordinators for the event are Denison College Head Teachers Mr Jim Browning (Bathurst High Campus) and Ms Wendy Murphy (Kelso High Campus).

The findings of recent research showing university students are confused about plagiarism and their institution’s policy on it, will be presented at a seminar for staff and students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Wednesday 30 May. Ms Judith Gullifer, a lecturer and researcher at the CSU School of Psychology  in Bathurst, says, “Research has established the term plagiarism is open to a wide range of interpretations resulting in confusion among students and staff alike. The research reported in this seminar looks only at the students’ understanding of the institution’s policy on academic integrity. The data confirmed the findings from a previous study, showing that confusion exists regarding what behaviours constitute plagiarism. The implications of these findings will be discussed in the context that psychological theory and research suggests a thorough understanding of an individual’s perception of an issue or problem is essential for successful change of that person’s attitudes and behaviours.”

Approximately 800 high school students from across the Riverina are due at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga on Friday 15 June for the annual HSC English Study Day. Thirty-five lectures, workshops and discussion panels are being planned on texts and topics being studied by the Standard and Advanced English students. The sessions, which will run from 9.30am to 2.20pm, will be presented mostly by English teachers from regional high schools and academics from CSU’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences. “There is always a buzz of excitement and fun to the HSC English Study Day. The students are grateful to get another perspective on the work they’re concentrating on for the HSC. For the teachers and trainee teachers, it’s a professional development occasion,” said HSC English Study Day coordinator Mr David Gilbey from the University’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences. The HSC English Study Day is being organised by the Wagga Wagga Branch of the English Teachers Association in association with Booranga Writers’ Centre at CSU.

Albury based commercial builder Zauner Construction has won the tender to build new academic offices on Charles Sturt University's (CSU) Albury-Wodonga Campus. The $3 million two-storey office building will feature insulation on the outside of the building, similar to the iconic Australian “esky”, which will reduce energy costs. Research by CSU staff has revealed a desire for living and learning in a clean, comfortable environment, said Head of the Albury-Wodonga Campus, Professor Gail Whiteford. "The University’s Thurgoona site is looking to reduce the cost of energy used in large public buildings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production." Construction on the Thurgoona site will officially commence in December.

The first sod will be turned for construction of the next academic building on the Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Thurgoona site by Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Goulter on Tuesday 12 December. He will be joined by representatives from international chemical company BASF and regional energy provider Country Energy, whose products and services will be incorporated into the building’s construction and management. Worth $3 million, the two storey office block will use innovative materials developed by BASF for building insulation, the first time these materials have been used in Australia. Country Energy will provide expertise in monitoring and managing energy use in the building. “We are aiming to build a public building that minimises air conditioning and energy use by improving building insulation,” says Professor Goulter. “It demonstrates the University’s commitment to sustainability and will be a showcase for all Australia.”