Mid North Coast residents can see what university study is all about at an information day for Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Port Macquarie on Thursday 29 August. The day aims to show prospective students and other visitors the courses, facilities and support CSU can offer. School Outreach Coordinator Ms Sandra Wallace said it was perfect for school leavers and TAFE students thinking of furthering their study, as well as those already working looking to improve their employment prospects or thinking of a career change. “Prospective students can meet with Charles Sturt University and North Coast TAFE academics to learn about courses on offer and entry pathways,” she said. “Prospective students will hear about the range of support services available and how the University can help them further their education and improve their career.” Representatives from the Universities Admissions Centre will also be on hand to help answer questions about the enrolment process. If you’re considering studying justice studies and policing, business, accounting, medical imaging, social work, health science, the creative industries, social science or psychology, or in becoming a paramedic, this day is for you.”

The benefits of a ‘brain-healthy lifestyle’ will be discussed at a Dementia Awareness Day at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga on Friday 20 September.  The public event is being held by CSU’s International Student Club to raise awareness of the disease and promote early detection. Club President and PhD student, Ms Saba Nabi said more than 320 000 Australians are living with dementia.  “We want to talk about the disease, where to get help and how looking after your brain, body and heart can help reduce the risk of developing dementia,” she said. “We have a responsibility to care for the elderly members of our community and it’s important to understand the issues affecting them.” The event is being held as part of National Dementia Awareness Week and will feature a panel discussion with researcher, Dr Adam Hamlin from CSU’s School of Biomedical Sciences, aged care advocate, Dr Maree Bernoth from the University’s School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health and Ms Hannah Klapdor from Aged Care Services with the Murrumbidgee Local Health District. For more information contact Ms Nabi by email.

A marital and family therapist from Canada, Dr Ann Evans will explore the tension between secularism and Christianity within families in a free public seminar at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga. Hosted by Saint Martin’s College as part of its Occasional Seminar Series, Dr Evans will address the topic, No Creche for Christmas, Mom on Sunday 22 September from 4pm to 6pm in the Fairfax Centre, building 382, Park Place, near car park 19 off Valder Way, CSU in Wagga Wagga. College Head, The Rev. Jenny Willsher said, “This Seminar will interest anybody who has experienced the cultural divide between Christianity and secularism up close and personal; right in their own family.” A therapist in Vancouver, Dr Evans is also doing intensive work with couples in other parts of the world. She has taught pastoral counselling and dream interpretation at The Toronto School of Theology at the Victoria University. Toronto. Dr Evans began her professional life as a member of the clergy in The United Church of Canada.

Seven PhD students will verbally present years of complex research in the most engaging manner in three minutes to an eminent judging panel during the Three-Minute Thesis grand final at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Tuesday 24 September. Ms Cassily Charles, co-organiser of the competition said, “In the Three-Minute Thesis (3MT), research students have to share the big picture of their research in just three minutes, using only one slide, and using language which allows a non-specialist audience to understand. Our participants have all given very engaging presentations in heats at different CSU campuses and online, and we now have seven finalists. These finalists will compete at the CSU 3MT grand final in Bathurst, in front of an audience and expert judges. The winner will represent Charles Sturt University at the 3MT Trans-Tasman competition in Sydney on Friday 18 October.” The CSU Three-Minute Thesis grand final presentations will start at 4pm on Tuesday 24 September at the James Hardie Room, Centre for Professional Development (building S17) at CSU in Bathurst.

A public seminar highlighting current research in the Australian agriculture and wine industries will be presented by three Charles Sturt University (CSU) experts in North East Victoria on Wednesday 18 September. The seminar aims to encourage conversation about these significant industries and identify future research opportunities, and is part of the University’s engagement with regional community and industry. Dr John Harper, who is also with the Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, will speak on Food for Thought: Agriculture in the 21st Century; Professor David Falepau, with the Graham Centre, on Rethinking Agribusiness education; and Professor Chris Steele, with the National Wine and Grape industry Centre, will speak on Grapes and Wine in Australia: our past and our future. The seminar will start at 4 pm on 18 September in the CSU building on GOTAFE’s Rural Industries Campus, 218 Tone Road in Wangaratta.

Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) National Wine and Grape Industry Centre director Professor Alain Deloire will address the concept of ‘terroir’ as part of the University’s free public lecture series at CSU in Orange on Friday 27 September. Professor Deloire, previously a team leader in viticulture at world renowned Moet and Chandon, is co-author of a book on “grapevine physiology and terroir” and more than 100 peer-reviewed and popular articles. He said terroir was a complex, but important, notion for agri-food products, but measuring its effect on wine market trends remains difficult even for the experts since it could include climate and soil, people, social organisations and agricultural practices. Despite these complexities, the idea of geographical origin was still critical for products which lay claim to a “terroir-linked typicality”, he said. Head of Campus at CSU in Orange, Professor Heather Robinson, said the Explorations Series of lectures brings speakers from a range of disciplines to share the latest ideas, thinking and opinions on contemporary social, scientific and cultural issues with the NSW Central West community.

Staff and Students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga will celebrate NSW Bike Week this week with a series of activities including a ride to work and study on Wednesday 18 September. CSU bicycle riders will assemble in QEII Square in Albury for a leisurely social ride that will leave at 7.40 am and arrive at Gums Café in Thurgoona, with a free breakfast for all riders at 8.30 am. Not only will participants reduce the number of cars around the busy roads of Thurgoona, reduce their carbon footprints and improve their health and well-being, but they will also enter a draw to win a bike and helmet valued at $600. Participants will also be able to try a game of Bike Polo on Thurgoona football oval from 1 pm on Wednesday 18 September for 15 minute games played with teams of three riders. The CSU community will also be able to view a compilation of bike movies on Thursday 19 September between noon and 3 pm at the Gums Café, CSU in Albury-Wodonga, off Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona.

Two staff members at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Port Macquarie received awards from the University recently. The 2013 Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence, and the 2013 Faculty and Division Awards, acknowledge the commitment, dedication and ongoing excellence demonstrated by academic and general staff across CSU. Ms Nicole Mitchell, academic support coordinator at CSU in Port Macquarie, was a member of two teams that were honoured: the TAFE to CSU Interact Site Project Team received a Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Innovation; and the Regional and Remote Learning Support Team received a Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Performance Excellence. Senior lecturer in paramedics, Mr Joe Acker, received an individual excellence award from the CSU Faculty of Science  for his teaching of the discipline and helping to establish the course at CSU in Port Macquarie. Dr Muyesser Durur, Director of CSU in Port Macquarie, said, “I congratulate Nicole and Joe, as these awards recognise that our staff in Port Macquarie are making significant contributions to the development of the University and to our students’ career prospects. As the campus grows, we look forward to welcoming more staff contributions to the wider community.”

Two teams of Charles Sturt University (CSU) Bachelor of Pharmacy students have demonstrated their business acumen to claim a place in the quarter finals of a prestigious national competition. Ms Thanh Le and Ms Marina Mikhail along with Mr Neil D’Souza, Ms Seray Goktekin and Ms Pooja Balgi are taking part in the National Student Business Plan Competition organised by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia to promote creative entrepreneurship amongst pharmacy students. This is the first time CSU has entered a team in the competition and Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice with CSU’s School of Biomedical Sciences, Mr George John, said it was an opportunity for students to practice the pharmacy management and business skills taught in the classroom. “Students had to develop a sound business plan for buying a pharmacy and the model had to be innovative while addressing community needs,” he said. “I believe the competition will give them valuable experience for starting their own pharmacy business in the future.” CSU is one of 12 teams left in the competition and the quarter final round concludes on Friday 12 July.