Charles Sturt University (CSU) will host two MyDay information events on Monday 15 April for senior high school students interested to study communication subjects in Bathurst and dentistry and allied health subjects in Orange. The MyDay in Bathurst will help students explore careers in advertising, commercial radio, journalism, sports journalism, public relations, and theatre/media through the School of Communication and Creative Industries. In Orange, the MyDay will profile dentistry at the School of Dentistry and Health Sciences, pharmacy and clinical science at the School of Biomedical Sciences and physiotherapy through the School of Community Health. CSU prospective student adviser, Ms Fran Dwyer, said, “MyDay offers Year 11-12 students the opportunity to find out about the courses available and to experience a day in the life of a university student ‘living and learning’ on campus. The day will involve hands on activities, tours of facilities, and up-to-date information about courses, international study options, and the application process. Students will also get the opportunity to talk to current students and academic staff.” Both MyDay events will be from 10am to 2pm on Monday 15 April, with concurrent information session for parents. Students need to register their interest online at www.csu.edu.au/myday or phone 6338 6010.

An international expert in reconciling Christian and Muslim peoples and ideas will discuss his life’s work and experiences at a public lecture in Port Macquarie on Wednesday 10 April. Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Reverend Professor James Haire, AC, director of the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture in Canberra, will lead discussions  into relations between Christian and Muslim people, and to how both communities can live in peace and harmony with integrity to both faiths. Professor Haire is past president of the Uniting Church in Australia and the National Council of Churches,  and led a Christian university in Indonesia for 13 years. Between 2000 and 2005, he participated in peace negotiations in the Molucca Islands based in Ambon, Indonesia, after considerable violence between Christians and Muslims in the province. The event, the first of four public lectures to be held at the Glasshouse in Port Macquarie, will start at 5pm.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) student Ms Hannah McKenzie has been awarded for her support of moves to reduce bottled water at the institution. The animal science student from Young won a bicycle after completing a quiz to promote student awareness about the environmental, financial and health benefits of using tap water over purchasing bottled water. It is part of CSU Green’s Free Water Project which includes new bubblers and bottle refilling stations and the sale of reusable bottles at CSU retail outlets. CSU Green Manager Mr Ed Maher said, “The prize of a bike aims to encourage students to cycle to and from campus as well as around campus instead of driving. This benefits their health and wellbeing, hip pocket and the environment. As part of our sustainability targets, Charles Sturt University wants to reduce waste, save water and cut carbon emissions.” The bike was supplied by local business, Kidsons Cycles. You can read more about CSU Green’s Free Water Project here.

The Education For Practice Institute at Charles Sturt University (CSU) will hold its third practice-based education summit in Sydney on Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 April. The 2013 Practice-Based Education Summit: Practice, Culture and Identity will hear from Australian and international practice-based education experts, led by the Vice-Chancellor and President of CSU, Professor Andrew Vann, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) , Professor Garry Marchant and Director of the Education For Practice Institute, Professor Joy Higgs. The Deputy Director of CSU’s Education for Practice Institute, Associate Professor Franziska Trede, said, “The 2013 Summit will explore the connections between professional practice and concepts of culture and identity. Keynote speeches address knowledge practices in professions, practice in the digital age, and practicing professional identities. Delegates will examine the ways in which practice, culture and identity can inform future research and teaching directions for university-based professional education and workplace learning.” Visiting experts include Professor Monika Nerland (University of Oslo), Professor Rainer Winter (Alpen-Adrai University of Klagenfurt), Professor Nita Cherry (Swinburne University of Technology), Professor Jan Orrell (Flinders University), Professor David Boud (University of Technology, Sydney) and Dr Calvin Smith (Griffith University).

Environmental educators from across the Murray Darling Basin will gather this week at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga to describe their opportunities and problems and discuss collaborations in the coming year. The meeting, on Thursday 11 and Friday 12 April, will be hosted by the Regional Centre for Expertise in Education for Sustainable Development (RCE-MD) based at CSU. Thirty-five educators from primary schools, TAFE, catchment management authorities, state agencies and research institutes from NSW, ACT and Victoria will gather on the University’s most environmentally sustainable campus to explore education for sustainable development in the Murray Darling Basin. Event coordinator Dr John Rafferty said, "This is a significant meeting of environmental educators. These professionals work with schools, communities and families promoting greater understanding of natural systems across Murray Darling Basin communities.” This second annual meeting is funded by the Murray Darling Basin Authority  in conjunction with RCE-MD.  

Participants are being sought for a new study at Charles Sturt University (CSU) into the experiences of overseas qualified nurses and midwives. Lecturer with the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health at CSU in Wagga Wagga, Ms Sophia Dywili, is seeking the assistance of those health professionals whose first nursing qualification was obtained from a country in sub-Saharan Africa, and who then moved to work in rural and regional NSW and Victoria. Ms Dywili is exploring the migration experiences of nurses and midwives moving from sub-Saharan African to Australia for her PhD. Research participants would be involved in a confidential interview and/or focus group discussion. Ms Dywili moved from Zimbabwe to work as a Registered Nurse at Bankstown Hospital in 2004. She also worked as a Clinical Nurse Educator at Liverpool Hospital before taking up a lecturing position at CSU in 2009. For more information, contact Ms Dywili by email (sdywili@csu.edu.au ) or telephone 02 6933 2452.

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) research student is calling for participants from Albury-Wodonga in a study that could help improve the understanding of major diseases. “Diabetes and high blood pressure are very common diseases, and their prevalence is increasing across regional Australia,” said Mr Prajwal Gyawali, a PhD student with the School of Community Health. “These diseases affect the shape and function of red blood cells in blood vessels. The aim of my project is to investigate the extent that blood flow and the shape of red blood cells are affected by diabetes and high blood pressure.” Mr Gyawali is calling for residents from Albury-Wodonga to take part in his project, which will help in assessing the severity and progression of diabetes and high blood pressure, and may also contribute to better understanding of the possible causes of these diseases. During a 30 minute visit to a research room at CSU in Albury-Wodonga, Mr Gyawali will ask participants about any medical problems, dietary habits and medications, take body and blood pressure measurements and blood and urine samples for testing. To take part in the project, contact Mr Prajwal Gyawali on mobile 0414 932 057 or send an email pgyawali@csu.edu.au .

Internationally renowned early childhood researcher, Professor Adam Winsler, from George Mason University in the USA, will deliver two public lectures at Charles Sturt University in Dubbo on April 23 and 24. The first lecture, Private speech, Scaffolding, and Self-Regulation in typical children and Children with ADHD and/or Autism, will examine the role of children’s ‘self talk’ in the development of self-regulation. “Children often talk to themselves during play or problem solving situations,” Professor Winsler said. “Such private speech is thought to play an important role in the development of self-regulation and in the transfer of autonomy/responsibility from others (teachers, parents) to the self.” The second lecture will examine Long-term associations between children's school readiness and later outcomes in school, and long-term effects of a culturally sensitive preschool literacy intervention. Professor Winsler’s research has been represented in more than 80 publications and he is the author of several books on early childhood education and development.

More than 100 first-year paramedic students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst have volunteered to assist when thousands of cyclists visit the region to participate in the annual NAB B2B race and ride from Bathurst to Blayney on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 April. Ms Amanda Hlushak, associate lecturer in the paramedic program at the CSU School of Biomedical Sciences in Bathurst, said, “The National Australia Bank B2B offers our first-year paramedic students the opportunity to gain experience and involvement in the local community. They are required to undertake 80 to100 hours of practical experience in the community as part of their university studies, so volunteering for the B2B enables the students to accrue these hours and gain valuable experience to add to their learning. Although they are in the early stages of their paramedic education, all of the students have a solid understanding of basic triage principles and are Senior First Aid qualified. They will be provided with a basic first aid kit, supplied by the B2B organising committee, to enable them to deliver first-on-the scene assistance to any cyclists who experience difficulties or have mishaps.” The paramedic students will supplement the increased number of St John’s First Aid officers and the 100 volunteers to be located throughout the three courses of the NAB B2B.