Can we always believe our cognitive abilities? Do we frequently see things that we have not actually seen? A research group based on anomalistic psychology, or the science of belief, will be launched at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga on Thursday 29 March to explore how beliefs are created and how they work in various situations. Director of the Science of Anomalistic Psychology (SOAP) Centre, Dr Krissy Wilson, said anomalistic psychology should not be confused with parapsychology, which tends to be more sympathetic towards claims of the ‘paranormal’. “Many sceptics remain unconvinced by the evidence put forward by parapsychologists, and I too am a sceptic,” Dr Wilson said. “Many TV programs focus on such topics as psychic powers, mediums and clairvoyants. These topics are rarely treated with a sceptical approach in the program, so many people assume these things are ‘real’. I want to explore these psychic topics, especially with the help of people around Albury-Wodonga, in our centre.” The SOAP Centre will be launched by Mr Richard Saunders from Channel Seven’s The One program at 6pm on 29 March in the CD Blake Lecture Theatre, CSU off Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona.

The value of Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Ontario has been highlighted by the University’s new Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Andrew Vann, during a recent trip to Canada. Professor Vann was struck by the enthusiasm of students and staff during the informal visit to CSU in Ontario on Monday 19 March. Professor Vann said CSU’s presence in Ontario is a great advantage to the University, giving staff the opportunity to work and study in another country. “One of the things I’m exploring right now is the similarities between Australia and Canada in terms of geography, culture, and interest in First Nations peoples. I think there are a lot of synergies here,” he said. “It would be great if we could use the campus as a base to really expand that kind of exchange both educationally and in research.” Professor Vann will return to Ontario for CSU’s graduation ceremonies in June.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) students will give a modern twist to bible stories when the University Theatre Ensemble (UTE) presents The Mystery Plays from Tuesday 27 March. Lecturer with the School of Communication and Creative Industries at CSU in Wagga Wagga, Mr John Saunders, said mystery plays were the beginnings of popular theatre, responding to the primitive desire of people to ‘act out’  the stories of their lives. “From rage to revelation to redemption, this is a tell-all production, where you will catch a contemporary version of past events,” he said. “Like the medieval mystery plays, this production is outside the theatre.”  The stories will be performed in a variety of locations around the University’s Performing Arts complex in Wagga Wagga, with a short walk between each site. Directed by Mr Saunders, with mask and movement direction by Mr Thomas Papathanassiou, the short plays will be performed by second year Bachelor of Arts (Acting for Screen and Stage) students. Design is by students studying a Bachelor of Arts (Design for Theatre and Television).

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is encouraging schools from across NSW and Victoria to compete in a new online business simulation competition to invigorate student engagement in their business studies. The CSU Faculty of Business is introducing to schools CSU Business - Game On, a ‘virtual’ business competition where Year 11 students form teams and play for the opportunity to win regional prizes of up to $1 000 or the major prize of $2 500. “Participating student teams will engage in the GoVenture Any Business simulation game that is hosted and funded by Charles Sturt University,” explains Dr Abhishek Dwivedi, a lecturer in the School of Management and Marketing. “It allows students to build and operate their own ‘virtual’ business in a simulated market environment.”

The 2012 Police Expo at Darling Harbour in Sydney on Sunday 1 April will give prospective recruits the opportunity to learn about the range of policing courses offered by Charles Sturt University (CSU). Ms Amanda Davies, lecturer and course director for the Associate Degree in Policing Practice at the CSU School of Policing Studies in Goulburn, said, “Charles Sturt University is proud to participate at the 2012 Police Expo, which is part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of the establishment of the NSW Police Force. The University offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate policing courses. The Associate Degree in Policing Practice is a starting point for new recruits, and other courses enable officers to advance their careers and specialist interests, including law enforcement research and management, through the CSU Australian Graduate School of Policing at Manly.”

The rising cost of healthy food, the relatively low cost of food high in sugar, fat and salt, and the relationship between the two and the rise in obesity in Australia, will be discussed during a free public lecture in Wagga Wagga on Thursday 19 April. Co-hosted by Charles Sturt University (CSU) and Wagga Wagga City Council, the lecture will be delivered by public health nutritionist and academic Dr Catherine Burns from Deakin University. Dr Burns is a Senior Research Fellow in the University’s WHO Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention. In this position, Dr Burns has developed a research program centred on food security.  Her lecture, Is the Cost of Food Making Us Obese? will propose changes in public policy and practice to improve access to healthy food and to tackle obesity. The lecture will be held from 6pm in the Council Meeting Room, Civic Centre, Baylis Street in Wagga Wagga.

Two veterinary science students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) have been awarded prestigious cattle industry scholarships. Ms Katherine Snell, from Merrigum in northern Victoria and Ms Tahlia Ling from Forest in Tasmania have each won a $10 000 scholarship from export meat processor HW Greenham and Sons to encourage future agricultural leaders.  Ms Snell and Ms Ling are studying a Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/ Bachelor of Veterinary Science through the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga. Head of School, Professor Nick Sangster has praised their achievements.  “Ms Snell and Ms Ling are good examples of the many Charles Sturt University students who aspire to contribute to local industries,” he said. “Charles Sturt University is a magnet for accomplished young people from across the country with production animal skills.” Now in her final year of study, Ms Snell says the scholarship will help kick start her career. “I plan to travel overseas and see first-hand the issues faced by dairy farmers and their advisors on an international scale,” she said.

An innovative Albury-based health research charity hopes to reach a wider international audience thanks to assistance from two Charles Sturt University (CSU) students. The Power Thinking Health Council website aims to help people heal themselves through their own mental health and wellbeing. CSU information technology students Dan Francisco and Ben Van Kesteren developed a monitoring and reporting tool that compares a visitor’s daily moods, feelings and emotions with their personal general health. Power Thinking Health Council president Theo Richter said the online tool “will provide our website readers with immediate feedback on how their current emotional state might be affecting their health, which is particularly important for living with such chronic diseases as cancer”. The students developed the site and associated survey and online monitor as part of their final year project for their CSU information technology degrees.

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) graduand will represent Australian universities at the 2012 World University Games to be held this month in Lodz, Poland. Ms Ellie O’Kane, who recently completed her Bachelor of Physiotherapy at CSU in Albury-Wodonga, will compete in the 6 000 metres track event on Saturday 14 April, against some of the best runners from universities worldwide. “It's pretty exciting and it should be a lot of fun competing overseas. Being a world university games, it will hopefully be a really good atmosphere,” Ms O’Kane said. The accomplished runner, who recently returned from holiday in Nepal and the Middle East, is due to start her career as a physiotherapist in Geelong when she returns from Europe.