Poet and Charles Sturt University (CSU) senior lecturer Mr David Gilbey is an avid observer and consumer of all things Japanese. He has written about Japan for a number of years, having lived and taught there in 1996, 2000, 2007 and more recently at the end of last year. “I am always interested in how what I write engages with the many ‘others’ of Japan: language, culture, geography and social nuance,” said the CSU academic. “And I am also interested in whether the poetry I write delights readers and audiences wherever they may be living.” Mr Gilbey will address the topic, Of sashimi and saké: Writing the Other in Japan in a public seminar on Wednesday 17 March. The event is part of the weekly short seminar series hosted by the School of Communication and Creative Industries at CSU. The lecture will be held from 3.10pm until 4pm on Wednesday 17 March in the School theatrette, building 21, room 10, near car park 2, Darnell Smith Drive, CSU in Wagga Wagga.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will recognise academic excellence among its graduating students and the wider community at the CSU Graduation ceremony in Dubbo on Wednesday 24 March. Associate Professor Joe Canalese, OAM, has accepted the Vice-Chancellor’s invitation to be the Occasional Speaker at the Dubbo graduation to be held at the Dubbo Christian School starting at 10.30am. Associate Professor Canalese received his national award in the 2010 Australia Day Honours List “for service to medicine, to rural health, and to the community of Dubbo”. Dr Canalese has lived and worked in Dubbo for 30 years as a physician and gastroenterologist and is known as a staunch believer in the value of good education. This is the first time the Graduation ceremony will be held at the Dubbo Christian School.

Through a new initiative between Charles Sturt University (CSU) and higher education partners, TAFE graduates have secured scholarships to help them begin study at CSU. Ms Gemma Paul from TAFE NSW Riverina Institute in Wagga Wagga commenced a degree in accounting after completing an Advanced Diploma in Accountancy at Riverina Institute. “Receiving the scholarship is a huge relief as my course requires many books that are quite expensive. University will be an exciting experience for me and this scholarship will keep me motivated and focused,” she said. Ms Paul is one of 10 former TAFE students to win scholarships in 2010 provided by the University through the CSU University Pathways Scholarship, which in partnership with Riverina Institute, Canberra Institute of Technology and TAFE Western.  Riverina Institute’s acting Institute Director, Mr Graeme Stutchbery said, “We are thrilled to be able to offer our students such a brilliant learning pathway.  This partnership is about ensuring students from throughout the Riverina have access to further study and a career of their choice.” CSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Ross Chambers said the program is part of the University’s ongoing commitment to create strong education pathways and collaboration from TAFE to University in its regions.

A delegation of senior officials from the Ministry of Education and 18 universities in China will visit Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Friday 12 March to discuss the potential for academic initiatives and partnerships between their institutions and the CSU Faculties of Education, Science, Business and Arts. Professor Jo-Anne Reid, the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Education, said, “The purpose of the delegation's visit to Australia and Charles Sturt University is to gain an overview of teacher education in Australia and current trends. We will be discussing opportunities for academic and student exchange, and potential research collaboration. The delegation is particularly interested in Charles Sturt University as a regional university because many of the universities represented are spread throughout rural China.”

Over 20 students from around NSW and Victoria have received a chance to commence university studies with Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Pathway Program which started last week in Albury and Wodonga. CSU course coordinator Dr Richard Taffe says the students, who have enrolled in CSU’s one-year University Certificate in General Studies, are studying in the first half of 2010 with Wodonga Institute of TAFE and then with CSU in Albury-Wodonga. “Charles Sturt University is committed to giving students from rural and remote areas the opportunity to get a university education and a professional degree,” Dr Taffe said. Wodonga TAFE CEO, Mr Mike O’Loughlin, said the program highlights the collaborative partnership being developed by CSU and Wodonga TAFE that provide sustainable pathways for students into tertiary education in regional Australia. The first group of students come from as far as Nowra, Griffith and country Victoria to study for the University Certificate, which is one of a number of transition programs being offered by the University.

Through a new initiative between Charles Sturt University (CSU) and its TAFE partners, a number of TAFE graduates have secured scholarships to help them begin study at CSU. Ms Belinda Wallis, a former Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) student, has commenced CSU’s Vocational Education and Training degree program after completing an Advanced Diploma in Adult Vocational Education at CIT. “The University Pathways Scholarship is a fantastic opportunity and I hope to make both Charles Sturt University and CIT proud,” she said. Ms Wallis is one of 10 former TAFE students to win scholarships in 2010 provided by the University through the CSU University Pathways Scholarship. This program is in partnership with CIT, Riverina Institute and TAFE Western. CIT Acting Chief Executive Mr Peter Kowald said the CSU scholarships would allow more people to access further education. “By getting a scholarship the obstacle is gone and the doorway is open to a better career due to having a higher qualification.” CSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Ross Chambers said the program is part of the University’s ongoing commitment to create strong education pathways and collaboration from TAFE to University in its regions.

There has been a welcome start to the new academic year for one of Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) residential colleges, St Martin’s College. In a surprise announcement, Richardson Johnson College, a Christian organisation supporting education, has donated $400 000 to St Martin’s College at CSU in Wagga Wagga. The Reverend Jenny Willsher from St Martin’s says the generous donation will enable the College to reduce its debt and offer two Richard Johnson College Scholarships to students each year based on need. One of St Martin’s cottages will also be named after the donor. Last year, St Martin’s opened the Fairfax Centre, a new community centre for the 98 students living in the College’s 12 cottages.

Mental health industry representatives and Charles Sturt University (CSU) staff in Orange will hear about Australia’s only mental health program for Indigenous people at a meeting being held this Thursday 11 March. The Djirruwang Program, run by CSU’s School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health, is recognised  as a best practice model within CSU. The University's Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health), which is part of the program, aims to prepare graduates who have appropriate knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes to work competently as mental health workers within their own communities and mainstream mental health services. The course is designed in collaboration with a community-based Aboriginal Mental Health Steering Committee and the Greater Southern Area Health Service. The members of the seminar panel include Head of the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health Professor Elaine Duffy, Course Coordinator Mr Wayne Rigby, clinical coordinator of Aboriginal Mental Health, Mr Tyrone Toomey, and Program graduate Ms Sonia Butler.

The work of Charles Sturt University (CSU) Professor of Education Stephen Kemmis achieved international recognition in Scandinavia last year. Professor Kemmis, from the School of Education at CSU in Wagga Wagga, was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Education from the University of Jyväskylä in Finland and, six months later, an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. The Honorary Doctorate in Sweden was in recognition of his international work in education and his involvement in the education of PhD students. Before an audience of about 1 500 people in Gothenburg, Sweden, late last year, Professor Kemmis was also presented the University of Gothenburg’s gold doctoral ring, doctoral hat and laurel crown. His Honorary Doctor of Education from the University of Jyväskylä recognised his work in critical theory and action research. In that ceremony, Professor Kemmis received a top hat with a gold badge and a doctoral sword; styled on the model of the 18th century civilian sword used by Finnish gentlemen. Professor Kemmis is a leading researcher in CSU’s Research Institute for Professional Practice (RIPPLE). In addition to his work at CSU, Professor Kemmis is internationally renowned for his research in the areas of professional practice, approaches to educational research and evaluation, educational curriculum, Indigenous education, and university development.