Acting Head of Charles Sturt University  (CSU) at Albury-Wodonga and Head of the Murray School of Education, Associate Professor Louise Hard, is showing the way to fellow staff and the wider Albury community by riding regularly to work at CSU’s Thurgoona site. Professor Hard, who lives in Thurgoona, decided to make a point of riding to work after trips to Europe where she noticed so many people riding everywhere. “In a world where we need to be increasingly responsible for our use of resources and find more sustainable ways to work and live, riding to work is one small contribution. Here in Albury we are very fortunate to have good access to many services, and living and working locally means I can begin to reduce my impact on our environment. I hope that this approach can be adopted by others so we can all continue to enjoy a healthy, sustainable lifestyle,” Professor Hard said.

A senior delegation from Dongguk University-Computer Science Institute in South Korea will visit Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Tuesday 15 June to sign new appendices to an existing articulation agreement between the two institutions. The Head of the International School of Business and Partnerships in the CSU Faculty of Business, Associate Professor John Atkinson, will host the visit by President Kim Kye-Hyun, President of Dongguk University-Computer Science Institute, and Professor of Business Ko Min-Jung. Professor Atkinson said, “By signing an addition to the existing appendix in the Dongguk- CIS/CSU Agreement, Dongguk University students who graduate with a Bachelor of Business (International Trade) will be able articulate into the CSU Master of Business from 2010 with four subjects credit. This is a new credit package related to the innovative Credit Bank scheme offered in South Korea that awards a Bachelor degree based on the student achieving points awarded on a number of criteria including vocational activities and university studies.”

Having recently received three scholarships, final year Clinical Science student at Charles Sturt University (CSU) Ms Cassanne Eccleston will travel to Kenya today to work as a volunteer in St Joseph’s Mission Hospital in Migori. “These scholarships have allowed me to travel overseas to get some practical work in the areas of surgery I am interested in,” Cassanne said. “I’m hoping to secure one of the 10 places in Sydney University’s Medical degree offered to Charles Sturt University Clinical Science students next year.” Associate Head of the School of Biomedical Sciences, Dr Heather Robinson agrees that the scholarships and her clinical placement in Kenya will give Cassanne a huge advantage when she begins her medical degree. “It’s a great benefit to have that practical experience and the Clinical Science course has given Cassanne a depth of knowledge in medicine that most other students won’t have.”

Two Charles Sturt University (CSU) Faculty of Arts graduates are finalists in the 2010 Australia China Alumni Awards. At a reception in the Australian pavilion at Shanghai Expo on Tuesday 25 May, Ms Kara Jenkinson, a disaster preparedness delegate for the Australian Red Cross, was announced as a finalist in the Australian Education International Young Australian Alumni of the Year for the second year in a row, while Ms Anthea Webb, director of the United Nations World Food Program in China, was announced asa finalist for the Women in Leadership award. Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Anthony Cahalan said, “The fact we have two graduates listed as finalists in these internationally recognised awards is testament to the high quality degrees we offer at Charles Sturt University.” The winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Shanghai on Saturday 10 July.

About 70 high schools students from the Wagga Wagga district are due to experience first hand the careers and courses open to them in agriculture and primary industries. The EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation – an alliance between Charles Sturt University (CSU) and Industry & Investment NSW – is hosting the Agriculture Enrichment Day on Friday 11 June at CSU in Wagga Wagga. The students will be divided into small groups and rotated through a range of sessions covering topics such as animal anatomy, insects, weeds and soil salinity. “This is a wonderful opportunity for the high school students to get a real taste of the variety of studies and careers available through the agricultural sector,” EH Graham Centre acting director Associate Professor Gavin Ash said. “In addition to the practical sessions, the students will be able to speak with staff from Charles Sturt University and Industry & Investment NSW.” The Agriculture Enrichment Day will be held from 8.45am to 1.30pm on Friday 11 June in and around Joyes Hall, Pugsley Place off Pine Gully Road, CSU in Wagga Wagga.

The efforts of Charles Sturt University (CSU) to continually improve its environmental initiatives have been recognised in state-wide awards. Under the NSW Government’s Sustainability Advantage Recognition Scheme, CSU has been awarded a Bronze Partnership for its demonstrated commitment to business sustainability. In 2008, the University established CSU Green  to coordinate and monitor the organisation’s sustainability efforts. “Sustainability is a central theme of Charles Sturt University’s strategy and one of the four key themes of our Institutional Development Plan,” said CSU Green Manager Mr William Adlong. “This award gives us an indication we are on track with our environmental initiatives in biodiversity, energy, transport, waste and water.” Ahead of World Environment Day, Mr Adlong accepted the Bronze Partnership on Friday 4 June during a ceremony in Sydney. Read more about CSU Green here.

Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Bachelor of Advertising degree strives to provide real, industry-partnered projects for its students, according to Brett Van Heekeren, lecturer in the School of Communication. “For example, advertising company Campaign Palace recently partnered us in a curriculum based project,” explains Mr Van Heekeren. “They issued us with a brief from one of their clients, then their Creative and Planning Directors flew to CSU Bathurst to hear our Principles of Advertising students pitch campaign executions and recommendations. Campaign Palace brought with them a CSU graduate from the course, Sarah Jacobs, who is now a junior planner there,” said Mr Van Heekeren. Jacinda Agnew is completing her second year of Bachelor of Arts (Communication-Advertising)/Bachelor of Business (Marketing). “The whole process was very rewarding, and it gave us a chance to pitch to people who are so important in the industry.”

CSU Ontario second-ever graduation will take place later this week. Over 250 graduands from the Faculties of Education, Arts, Health Studies, Science and Agriculture are expected to attend the two formal graduation sessions. Lisa Martin is not only graduating from her Bachelor of Primary Education Studies with distinction, but is also a passionate member of the CSU Ontario choir. A classically trained singer, Lisa received the gold medal in performance in her undergraduate studies at the University of Western Ontario, and has a Masters of Music from McGill University in Quebec: “The choir was a great way to unwind on Fridays during our teaching block and it adds another bonding element to the graduation experience.” Lisa adds that she is “thrilled” to have secured a position teaching grade 3-8 vocal with the Waterloo District School Board in Ontario.

Innovative and interesting jewellery pieces designed and produced by Charles Sturt University (CSU) students will be showcased at the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery. Presented by the School of Visual and Performing Arts, the Continuum exhibition reveals the work of current CSU students studying Bachelor of Arts in jewellery. The exhibition will focus on the recent works of third year students who designed and manufactured pieces for Lee Lin Chin, the SBS World News presenter recognised in Australian fashion circles for her distinctive style. Ms Chin will also have the opportunity to select her favourite piece from the collection. The Continuum exhibition, located in the Art Gallery’s Art Education Room, will go on public display from Tuesday 19 June and will be officially opened on Friday 22 June at 6pm.