More than 500 policing students will graduate from Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Policing Studies and the Australian Graduate School of Policing this Friday, 28 October. The ceremony will begin at 10.30am at the Sports Centre, Sydney Olympic Park and will feature an occasional address by Mr Kevin Kitson, Director of Intelligence with the Australian Crime Commission. A highlight of the ceremony will be the graduation of fire investigation students – the result of a successful collaboration between NSW Fire Brigades and CSU. New South Wales Police Commissioner Ken Moroney, will present the Diploma of Policing Practice graduates with their awards and five prize winners will be announced.

In 2006 allied health students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in 2006 will be eligible for $10,000 scholarships under a new Commonwealth scheme aimed at addressing the shortage of allied health professionals in rural and regional Australia. The Head of the University’s Albury-Wodonga Campus, Professor Gail Whiteford has applauded the $4 million initiative as a timely incentive for new and continuing students studying allied health courses including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, podiatry, and psychology. “Sixty five scholarships will be available in 2006, building to 195 in 2008, which will be of enormous assistance to rural students and a terrific boost to the future of allied health in rural and regional areas,” said Professor Whiteford. The scheme is funded by the Federal Government and administered by Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health Inc (SARRAH). Applications for the scholarships are expected to open in January 2006. Further information is available here.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) wine science student Joëlle Wilson is the successful recipient of the 2005 A&G Engineering Scholarship. Valued at $15 000, A&G Engineering, based in Griffith, generously provide the scholarship to help wine science students complete their studies at CSU. Selection criteria for the scholarship include industry awareness, career aspirations, academic standing and knowledge of A&G Engineering. Joëlle Wilson has obtained her industry experience this year at Tahbilk Wines in the Nagambie region of Victoria. Ms Wilson will complete her degree at CSU in Wagga Wagga this year.

Diseases in one of Australia’s important rotational crops, canola, are the subject of a 12 month long research visit to the E H Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation by Professor Minquan Li from China. As Head of the Department of Plant Protection at Gansu Agricultural University in China, Professor Li will work alongside two E H Graham Centre researchers in Wagga Wagga, Associate Professor Gavin Ash from Charles Sturt University (CSU) and Doctor Gordon Murray, from the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI). The E H Graham Centre is a joint research venture between CSU and DPI. The management of bacteria and pathogens in the soil will be examined as they prevent the crop from reaching its full potential. “Professor Li’s trip demonstrates the scope for international co-operation in agricultural research and aims to increase the ties between Australia and China in the long term,” said E H Graham Centre Director Professor Deirdre Lemerle.

More than $51,000 in scholarships will be awarded to students at CSU in Dubbo at a ceremony on May 27. Bachelor of Nursing students Mr Robert Taylor and Mr Jye Forrester will receive Charles Sturt University Foundation scholarships. Mr Taylor currently works with Catholic Healthcare in the Dubbo community health branch, and said he had aspired from a young age to work in healthcare. Mr Forrester volunteers his time to educate young indigenous children about his journey to becoming an Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Worker. Ms Emily Ryan and Ms Hayley Nuss will recieve Tony McGrane Scholarships, while Ms Geena Purcell will receive the inaugural, $3,000 Wellington Shire Council scholarship. Ms Purcell said she hoped to complete her Bachelor of Accounting, then finish a cadetship and build a career in the field. All scholarships are administered by the Charles Sturt University Foundation Trust, which seeks to promote excellence in the education, research and service activities of the University. Its activities include a capital development program, internships, guest lectureships, cooperative research projects and a scholarship scheme. Head of Campus Dr Beverley Moriarty said, "We congratulate our students on receiving scholarships, prizes and awards that recognise their hard work and commitment to their studies. We are very appreciative to all of our donors of scholarships and prizes and I know that our students are very appreciative as well. The generosity of our donors makes it possible for our students to complete their degrees locally and to be able to contribute back to our communities as professionals in their fields. It is especially rewarding to see donors and scholars meeting each other on the night of the awards." The scholarships ceremony will be held in conjunction with the Deans' Awards for Excellence at CSU in Dubbo from 6pm Tuesday May 27.

Academic cooperation between Charles Sturt University (CSU) and a university in southern Taiwan has been formalised by the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The document was signed by CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Goulter and President of the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Professor Chang-Hung Chou. While links have already been established in the areas of plant protection and equine studies, the academic cooperation between the institutions could include joint research programs, exchange of academic staff and students or the organisation of joint activities such as courses, conferences, seminars or lectures. The MOU was signed during a visit in late August to CSU’s Wagga Wagga Campus by Professor Chou.

The pathology of the world’s most important agricultural crop, rice, is the subject of a new international research project in Cambodia. Researchers from the E H Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation in Wagga Wagga and the Cambodian Agricultural and Development Research Institute (CARDI) are involved in a three year project in the South East Asian nation. Funded by the Australian Centre for Agricultural Research (ACIAR), the research will develop Cambodia’s expertise in rice pathology while Australia will secure a better understanding of exotic rice diseases which cannot be studied at home due to quarantine regulations. “With both E H Graham and CARDI committed to achieving sustainable agriculture, this project demonstrates the possibilities for international collaboration,” said E H Graham Centre Director Professor Deirdre Lemerle. The E H Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation is a joint research venture between Charles Sturt University and the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

Prospective students, their parents and friends will receive a taste of university life when they attend Welcome Day 2006 at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Albury-Wodonga Campus this Wednesday 25 January. Students who have received enrolment offers in CSU business, education, environmental and information sciences and health courses can attend the day-long event. The day will include a welcome from the Head of Campus, course information sessions, campus tours and accommodation information. Head of the Albury-Wodonga Campus Professor Gail Whiteford said the day offers an important opportunity for new students to meet with staff, complete administrative tasks and settle accommodation arrangements before the start of the new academic year in February. “Welcome Day activities will help remove some of the anxiety of starting university life, especially for students moving to Albury for their studies,” Professor Whiteford said. Events will be held on the University’s Thurgoona Campus, Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona, and on Albury City campus, Olive St, Albury between 10am and 3pm.

The second cohort of Charles Sturt University (CSU) students from Port Macquarie will celebrate their graduation during ceremonies at The Glasshouse on Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 December.Highlights of the ceremonies include:3pm Monday 19 December 201680 students from the Faculty of Arts and Education and the Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Studies will be awarded a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.Ms Anna Wilson and Ms Danae Weaver will both be awarded Bachelors of Social Work and will receive the Lila Kirilik Social Action Memorial Prize, awarded to students from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences for demonstrated merit in a professional field and achieving a social action outcome that benefits disadvantaged individuals and communities.Mr Richard Rogers will be awarded a Bachelor of Social Science (Criminal Justice) and in 2017 will begin be studying the Associate Degree in Policing Practice at the NSW Police Academy in Goulburn as a stepping stone to joining the NSW Police Force.The occasional address will be delivered by Ms Kate Wood-Foye, Mid North Coast local, Area Director of Sales and Marketing for Rydges Group and regular columnist for Focus Magazine. Ms Wood-Foye is also the Co-Founder and Chair and Events Manager of the national youth leadership event 'Luminosity Youth Summit' which is held in Port Macquarie and provides young people the opportunity to be inspired and excel in their chosen careers through 'dangerous ideas' for success.9:30am Tuesday 20 December 201680 students from the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Studies will be awarded a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.Lecturer at CSU's School of Biomedical Sciences, Dr Jennifer Cox will be awarded her PhD, Australian Nursing Students' Infection Control Knowledge and Perceptions: Exploring the Role of Microbiology Education and Clinical Placement Experiences. Infections acquired while in hospital are a major cause of patient death across the globe and Dr Cox's research has provided new insight into the role of microbiology education and the influence of clinical placement experience on nursing students' infection control practice. Read more about her research here.Ms Hannah Stack will be awarded a Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic). Earlier this year Ms Stack was awarded the John Overton Award from peak professional body, the Australian and New Zealand College of Paramedicine (ANZCP). Read more on CSU News here.Ms Erika Williamson and Mr Nathan Ross will also be awarded Bachelors of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) and in 2017 will both be travelling to London to take up positions with the London Ambulance Service.Mrs Amanda Hammond will be awarded a Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Medical Imaging). She has recently accepted a permanent position as a radiographer at Port Macquarie X-Ray.The occasional address will be delivered by Mr Stewart Dowrick, Chief Executive Officer of Mid North Coast Local Health District and Board Committee Member of Regional Development Australia – Mid North Coast.