Charles Sturt University (CSU) continues to expand with the construction of new student residences set to commence on the Orange Campus. Joss Construction began works associated with the new residences on 30 January so all major earthmoving will be finished before Orientation week. “Student numbers are constantly increasing at CSU,” said Head of Campus Professor Kevin Parton. “With the introduction of the dentistry degree this year, and more courses planned, the new accommodation will be a pleasing addition to the campus.” The new accommodation will house 40 students and will include study bedrooms, kitchens, common rooms and male and female bathrooms. “Our aim is to enhance the university experience for each student by offering all first year students on campus accommodation,” Professor Parton said. The new accommodation is designed to allow the easy addition of up to 60 more study bedrooms as student demand increases.

Will nano-technology save the world or spell the end of civilisation? Professor John Weckert of Charles Sturt University’s Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics says as well as those two groups of people with diametrically opposed view of this new technology, there is also a third viewpoint:  “These voices are trying to get the arguments into perspective so that the technology can be used in ways that are most beneficial.” Professor Weckert is the editor-in-chief of a new journal, NanoEthics. “It was thought that now is a good time to set up an academic journal that can be a forum for serious discussion of these issues,” said Professor Weckert. He says the journal is aimed at academics, philosophers, ethicists, policy makers and “people involved in regulation, many of whom are lawyers. It is very much a cross-disciplinary journal.”

Do you stutter or know someone who does? Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff and students are running intensive stutter treatment sessions for adults in Albury-Wodonga and surrounding areas between Monday 16 November and Friday 20 November. Final-year CSU speech pathology students will be supervised by Albury speech pathologist Ms Lisa Brown, who has conducted similar intensive stutter treatments over recent years and is completing her PhD research on stuttering with CSU’s School of Community Health. “Around one per cent of all Australian adults stutter and it can make communication quite difficult. We will provide strategies and techniques to reduce the impact of stuttering, as well as provide invaluable training for the students,” Ms Brown said. The program starts with an assessment then intensive treatment for the remainder of the week. The program is also open to adults who have been in previous treatment and want to ‘brush up’ on their skills to deal with their stuttering. To take part in the treatment sessions, contact Speech Pathology Clinical Coordinator Ms Marion Vile on (02) 6051 6735 or send an email by Monday 2 November.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo will celebrate its scholarship and prizes ceremony on Tuesday 3 May, with special recognition of the Indyamarra Scholarship program, which is celebrating its 10th year. “Over the past nine years more than $38,000 has been awarded to Indigenous students from regional NSW who have a desire to work in areas that benefit the Indigenous community,” said CSU Head of Campus, Dubbo, Dr Beverley Moriarty. Three new scholarships will be awarded this year, including two Tony McGrane Scholarships and the Macquarie Matrons Scholarship. “Charles Sturt University students can benefit financially thanks to more than 40 scholarships on offer every year. A large number of these scholarships are funded by individuals or organisations that hold a strong belief in supporting the University and its students.”

Charles Sturt University (CSU) Winery has won a Blue-Gold Award at the recent Sydney International Wine Competition for its 2004 Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, which was also named in the Top 100 Wines of the Competition. Wine Judge Kym Milne rated the CSU wine, produced from Hilltop grapes at the CSU Wagga Wagga Winery, as having very complex aromas and a very elegant palate. Mr Milne agreed with another judge, Robin Moody, who said the medium bodied dry red was a big wine that went well with food. CSU head winemaker Andrew Drumm said he was particularly pleased with the last comment as this was always one of his aims. CSU Winery’s 2003 Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon has already won numerous awards but Mr Drumm believes 2004 Limited Release Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot is a better wine. He believes the much sought after Blue-Gold Award is testament that CSU students are learning practices that are sought after within the Australian wine industry.

Dennis Robert Taaffe was awarded Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) first Doctorate of Science at CSU’s Wagga Wagga 2006 graduations on Friday 20 April. Dr Taaffe’s research identified the factors associated with a decline in the neuromuscular system, and ways to prevent frailty and promote independence through improving an individual’s physical reserve. According to Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Ross Chambers, Dr Taaffe’s research has the potential to improve health outcomes and demonstrates CSU’s commitment to conduct strategic and applied research of an international standard. Dr Taaffe was one of almost three hundred graduands awarded degrees and certificates from the CSU Faculty of Education.

Western New South Wales year 11 students will learn how to study and write essays more effectively at the annual Study Skills Day to be held at Dubbo Campus of Charles Sturt University (CSU) this Friday (27 April). Organiser Heather Bell said sessions will include time management, motivation, note taking and HSC Online. As well, “This year the school students will hear a presentation about what we offer at CSU,” Ms Bell said. Angela Calvert from Parkes is in the first year of her CSU Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood). She attended the Dubbo Study Skills Day two years ago. “Before that I hadn’t really been thinking much about going to University, but then I really liked the Campus and the interaction between the lecturers and the students. It really helped in my HSC. It was a fun day.”

Charles Sturt University’s Pro Vice Chancellor Research & Graduate Training Professor Paul Burnett has been named an Assessment Panel Chair for the Research Quality Framework by the Federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon. Julie Bishop MP. Describing the Chairs as “senior researchers of international standing”, Ms Bishop said the Panels will assess research which “delivers real benefits to the whole community”. Professor Burnett says the Panels will consider the quality and impact of university research and that, “The amount of money allocated to universities annually on the basis of the assessments will be about $500 million per year.” He says he was “delighted” by the appointment. “This is a critical exercise for the future of Australian research in universities and how it is funded. I am a strong supporter of rewarding research excellence and demonstrating its significant impact.”

Top academic performances by Charles Sturt University (CSU) students from CSU’s Albury-Wodonga Campus will be recognised at a CSU Foundation Scholarship ceremony on Thursday 26 April. Seven new Foundation benefactors will also be acknowledged. They include the Bush Children’s Education Foundation, Microsoft Australia, The Co-op Bookshop, WBC Strategic Alliance and the Lions Club of Albury. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit, leadership and contribution to the community. Jennifer Potter, who will receive the Rotary Club of Albury-Hume Scholarship, will present a vote of thanks on behalf of scholars. A total of 235 scholarships valued at over $500 000 will be awarded to new and continuing students studying across the University’s five main campuses.