Charles Sturt University (CSU) is pleased to be hosting its China Joint Cooperation Program partners at CSU in Port Macquarie this week.The meeting will be held to discuss the current and future plans for academic collaboration, exchange information and ideas, all whilst getting to know the Port Macquarie sites and scenery. Presidents and senior staff from four of CSU's university partners in China will attend the meeting.The four university partners include Yunnan University of Finance and Economics (YUFE), Jilin University of Finance and Economics (JUFE), Tianjin University of Commerce and Yangzhou University.CSU has worked in partnership with these universities in a Joint Cooperation Program approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education, for over 17 years. During this time over 7,000 students have graduated from CSU's Bachelor of Business Studies.Senior CSU staff who will be attending the meeting include CSU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andrew Vann; CSU Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research Development and Industry, Professor Mary Kelly, CSU Executive Dean, Faculty of Business Justice and Behavioural Sciences, Professor Tracey Green; and CSU Pro Vice Chancellor, International Education & Partnerships and Head of Campus, Port Macquarie Professor Heather Cavanagh.The Chinese delegation members will be formally welcomed to Port Macquarie by Uncle Bill O'Brien and Mr Peter Besseling, Mayor of Port Macquarie Hastings Council on 10 November 2016.Professor Heather Cavanagh said, "Hosting this meeting at Charles Sturt University's newest campus in Port Macquarie is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase our world class facilities, and highlight the breadth of opportunities for international students to study with us and experience the beautiful lifestyle of the Mid North Coast."Our strategy for the campus in Port Macquarie is to grow both our domestic and international student numbers and we are well on target to achieve this."We are thrilled that our Joint Cooperation Program partners have sent very high level staff to this meeting, and we welcome the opportunity to further discuss our ambitious plans to enhance and expand our academic partnerships."

Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff and students take the time to focus on personal wellness and wellbeing.Taking place at six CSU campus locations throughout the month of March and then in Port Macquarie in July, proudly sponsored by Employers Mutual Limited, 2016 CSU Wellness and Wellbeing Expos are designed to improve staff and students' attitudes towards their health and wellbeing.CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann said, "We want to see our community be the best it can be. By investing in the health of our staff and students, we are investing in all our futures."The seven expos across New South Wales will be open to all Charles Sturt University staff and students and will give them to opportunity to learn more about everything from mental wellbeing to physical activity, caring for others and even time management," he said.Other topics to be covered in seminars and workshops at the expos include financial stability, stress management and prevention, alcohol and drug awareness, relationships and lifestyle balance. There will also be exhibitions and market stalls showcasing relevant health services from local community providers.Dates and times for each of the Wellness and Wellbeing Expos at CSU campuses are as follows:-       Goulburn: Thursday 3 March 2016 at the Cola/ Gymnasium from 9.00am to 2.30pm-       Albury-Wodonga: Tuesday 8 March 2016 at The Gums Cafe from 9.00am to 2.30pm-       Wagga Wagga: Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 March at Joyes Hall/Convention Centre from 9.00am to 3.30pm-       Dubbo: Monday 14 March 2016 at Explorers Cafe from 9.00am to 2.30pm-       Orange: Tuesday 15 March 2016 at Templers Mill Bar from 9.00am to 2.30pm-       Bathurst: Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 March 2016 at Rafters/ Foyer from 9.00am to 3.30pm-       Port Macquarie: Wednesday 20 July 2016 at the Courtyard/ Outdoor Room from 9.00am to 2.30pm

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will open its latest study centre in Brisbane, Queensland in July 2016 offering international students the opportunity to study accounting and IT.CSU Study Centres have operated in partnership with Study Group for over 20 years and currently operate in Sydney and Melbourne supporting almost 4,000 international students studying programs including accounting, business, commerce and IT.The new Brisbane CSU Study Centre will open officially in July offering a Master of Information Technology (with specialisations) and a Master of Professional Accounting.Mr David Knight, Director of CSU Study Centres said, "These two Masters programs have attracted significant enrolment interest at our Sydney and Melbourne study centres and we expect them to be popular in Brisbane as well."International students in Brisbane have a strong preference to study in the business and IT discipline areas, which complements the courses Charles Sturt University will offer in this new location."Mr Knight said, "Queensland is Australia's third largest market for international student enrolments, with higher education enrolments increasing by 44 per cent from 2007 in South-east Queensland, including Brisbane."Brisbane has a standard of living surpassing most world cities through its cultured, yet relaxed lifestyle and weather, and lower living expenses than other Australian and international cities," he said."The Queensland Government is further promoting international student enrolments through its Study Queensland website and Brisbane International Student Guide that provide detailed information about studying and living in Queensland."Mr Knight said, "The opening of a Brisbane Study Centre is an exciting step in the evolution of the Charles Sturt University Study Centres, and we look forward to welcoming new students on campus in July."

Applications for the Charles Sturt University (CSU) 2016 Community-University Partnerships (CUP) Community Grants program are sought from schools and not-for-profit early childhood centres across the University's regional footprint.Small grants (grants of generally between $500 and $1,000) offered through the CUP Rural and Regional Education Development Program are designed to assist schools and early childhood centres to acquire equipment or consumables that facilitate student learning and engagement with their schooling in rural and regional areas. Applications are invited from primary and secondary schools and not-for-profit early childhood centres and should demonstrate how the activity will support student engagement with learning and further education.Successful projects in 2015 included applications for the purchase of musical, art, science, technology, sporting and playground equipment, reading resources, gardening and recycling materials.Estimated funding for the CUP Rural and Regional Education Development Program is $25,000 across all CSU campus communities.   Applications close on Friday 17 June 2016.The guidelines to the CUP Rural and Regional Education Development Program and the link to the online application form can be found on the CSU website.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann will be taking part in a panel discussion on regional and rural issues next week, at an event with the Shadow Treasurer.Hosted by Labor candidate for Calare Dr Jess Jennings, the event will be a panel presentation by the Hon. Chris Bowen, Shadow Treasurer and Federal Member for McMahon, who will be joined by Professor Vann. Analysis of this critical election budget will be followed by Q&A from the public.The event will cover a range of issues affecting CSU, its communities, and rural and regional Australia more broadly. The event is open to the public and attendance is free.Professor Vann said, "I look forward to the chance to have a public discussion with a key political figure about some of the vital issues that are affecting not only Charles Sturt University but also our regional communities."In an election context, this is a wonderful opportunity to address policy areas that often get overlooked in the rough and tumble of campaigns."In particular I will be interested to hear from the Shadow Treasurer on the issue of doctor shortages in rural NSW and whether the Labor party would be willing to support our proposal for the Murray Darling Medical School," he said.

Two local graphic design students from Charles Sturt University (CSU) have won a design competition aimed at creating an effective logo for an upcoming youth literary festival to be held in Port Macquarie next year.Mr Michael Jurss and Ms Kseah Cowan are currently completing a Bachelor of Creative Arts & Design (Graphic Design) at CSU in Port Macquarie , and were given the opportunity to participate in a real-life brief for LitFest2444. As a result, they secured a $200 gift voucher and a certificate of acknowledgement.LitFest2444 is the brainchild of St Agnes Parish Schools' teacher librarians, Karen Bale (St Joseph's Regional College) and Suzanne Penson (MacKillop College), who wanted to increase literacy skills, as an employable skill into the future, whilst celebrating up and coming Australian authors of youth literature."The winning design from Michael and Kseah features a lighthouse with a pen nib at the top, radiating light beams in the dark. To us this symbolises the way in which the festival aims to guide local youth towards a future full of hope and prospect, through literature," said Karen Bale.The CSU students teamed up after discovering how their preferred skill areas, in fine arts and digital design, complemented each other. They also credited their study in being able to meet the brief.Mr Jurss said, "Our lecturer was really supportive and opened up the opportunity for us to engage with the competition, to learn about collaborating in a real world situation. This also gave us the chance to strengthen our negotiation skills; important to remember when working for others, as opposed to just expressing yourself creatively. We are certainly excited about seeing the logo on promotional material."The festival has also received funding through the CSU Community-University Partnership (CUP) Program and has assisted in securing high quality speakers and presenters to share their ideas and experiences with local youth.LitFest2444 will be held in May 2017 at MacKillop College and will be open to all secondary students across the Port Macquarie Hastings local government area.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is pleased to announce that it will welcome its first intake of international students at Port Macquarie in 2017.Vice-Chancellor of CSU Professor Andrew Vann is also pleased to announce 20 new scholarships which will be available to international students studying at CSU in Port Macquarie."I am excited to welcome international students to our new campus in the coastal city of Port Macquarie in New South Wales for 2017," Professor Vann said. "Charles Sturt University in Port Macquarie offers students a world-class experience in state-of-the-art teaching facilities and innovative learning spaces, all alongside the opportunity to be part of a friendly and vibrant community of students and academics."The Vice-Chancellor's Port Macquarie International Scholarships are valued at $20,000 and $10,000, and are available to commencing full-time international students studying any CSU course delivered at Port Macquarie. Applications are open until 30 September 2016.Head of Campus for CSU in Port Macquarie and Pro-Vice Chancellor, International Education and Partnerships, Professor Heather Cavanagh, said welcoming international students to the campus would benefit both the University and the wider community."For international students an Australian study experience is not just about getting a qualification but also about immersing themselves into our lifestyle, culture and workforce in order to have a meaningful experience."We are thrilled that Charles Sturt University in Port Macquarie will gain international students from next year as we've seen from our other campus cities the benefits that flow through to the community, including gaining new long-term residents who contribute to the cultural and economic vibrancy of the region. And for the students we can't wait share with them the wonderful location, climate and lifestyle that is Port Macquarie, not to mention our new campus facilities."From Session 1 2017 CSU in Port Macquarie will have the following courses available to international students: accounting, advertising, business studies, criminal justice, clinical practice (paramedic), exercise and sports science, graphic design, medical radiation science, public relations, psychology, social science (psychology), outdoor recreation and ecotourism, and social work.

Representatives of Charles Sturt University (CSU) will present a cheque for funds raised by the 2016 CSU Amazing Race to a charity in Bathurst on Monday 12 September.The proceeds of the annual CSU Amazing Race event are donated to a different local charity each year. In 2016, the Riding for the Disabled Association is the beneficiary of $5 400 raised by the second event staged at CSU in Bathurst on Wednesday 30 March.Head of Campus at CSU in Bathurst, Associate Professor Chika Anyanwu, said, "The Amazing Race is an integral part of our social responsibility and our community engagement as a university campus. By mobilising our staff and students to raise funds for important community projects that focus on the less privileged and vulnerable members of our community we help them attain their goals by supporting some of their sustainable projects. It gives me great pleasure to see these children have the facility and opportunity to participate in what they love doing — riding. I thank all the staff and students who participated in the 2016 Amazing Race, and congratulate the winning teams."The CSU team that raised the most ($1 360) was 'Out of the Grange', comprised of Sharon Sandry, Catherine Gordon, Natalie Nixon, Olivia Wyborn, and Alyce Tree.The team that won the physical competition on the day was 'Librarians from Another Planet', consisting of Annette Goodwin, Andrew Press, and Karthik Babu.Professor Anyanwu acknowledged the role of former Head of Campus Professor Jo-Anne Reid who hosted last year's event and was central to the organisation of the 2016 Amazing Race.The CSU donation will be presented at 3.30pm Monday 12 September at Riding for the Disabled in Bathurst, Research Station Drive, behind Carenne School, Browning Street, Bathurst.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is hosting the Building Respect and Safety event as an opportunity for students, staff and community to keep building a culture of respect.The Building Respect and Safety event will take place at 4pm on Wednesday 21 September in Room 808.2047 at CSU in Port Macquarie and will include a free viewing of The Hunting Ground. This documentary film exposes the rates of sexual assault at American universities and provides a chance to discuss the issues of safety, respect and consent.CSU Student Liaison Officer (Equity), Ms Cathy Woodhead said, "Students are invited to attend this event which will culminate in an open discussion on the issue, led by professionals from the local Port Macquarie Hastings community who respond to sexual assault."Charles Sturt University hopes to be one organisation taking the lead to prevent sexual violence in our community and we are hoping this screening and conversation will continue to strengthen the University as a place of respect and understanding."Building Respect and Safety at CSU in Port Macquarie is part of the University's roll out of the Australia wide campaign Respect. Now. Always. which strives to prevent sexual assault and harassment in university communities.  As well as the screening of The Hunting Ground and discussion of the issues of sexual assault and harassment, CSU will be providing guests with a pizza supper.For students and staff members at CSU, a website has been developed to provide them with resources, information, the opportunity to get involved in the campaign, advice for how to help, and how to report and access support services www.csu.edu.au/respect.