A free public lecture celebrating the universal right to be able to communicate and the 20th year of speech pathology at Charles Sturt University (CSU) will be hosted by CSU in Albury-Wodonga next Wednesday evening, 7 March.Award winning educator and CSU Professor of Speech and Language Acquisition Sharynne McLeod will present the lecture titled Communication as a Human Right, which will also celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.Professor Sharynne McLeod has a long association with the CSU speech pathology program which commenced 20 years ago as part of the CSU School of Community Health in Albury. Professor McLeod is now with the School of Teacher Education in Bathurst.Professor McLeod has also dedicated her life to upholding Article 19 of the UN Human Rights convention, which states:“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression: this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”.As part of the lecture, Professor McLeod will present her own work in this area.The free lecture will be held on Wednesday 7 March, starting at 6pm. It will be held in the CD Blake Lecture Theatre (Building 751 Room 104), CSU in Albury-Wodonga, off Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona.Refreshments will be provided after the lecture.

* ‘Winhangarra - hear, think, listen - Cultural Yarning' event designed to introduce students to cultural and equity issues in preparation for the workforce * Event will include yarning session, cultural sharing and Indigenous education * To be held at CSU in Orange Wednesday 6 March, 12.00pm – 2.30pm Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange will host a cultural event, ‘Winhangarra - hear, think, listen - Cultural Yarning,' Wednesday 6 March, to introduce CSU students, to cultural and equity issues to provide a broader context to their studies.   Initiated in 2018, the cultural event will be held at "Girinyalanha" Aboriginal Nature and Bioscience Park, Leeds Parade, Orange. It is the product of a collaboration between faculty of CSU science academics, student services and Aboriginal community members; the event aims to advance health practice, build aspiration and capacity with the student body and strengthen community relationships. Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Science, Dr Heather Robinson said that this event will encourage conversations and provide context to students, equipping them with the knowledge and awareness for their responsibilities as future health professionals. “This event is part of an ongoing process towards building cultural awareness in health, study and practice. “Students, staff and community members attending will immerse themselves in the cultural experience, with an opportunity to participate in a yarning session led by Aboriginal health and education leaders in our region,” Dr Robinson said. Yarning panellists will include: Ms Deborah Kenna, Manager Molong Health Service, Mr Phil Naden, CEO Bila Muuji Aboriginal Corporation Health Services Inc., Ms Jayarna Kay, Three Rivers University Department of Rural Health and Mr Michael Peachey, Director Indigenous Student Success Charles Sturt University. For more information on the event and RSVP details head to https://news.csu.edu.au/events/orange/winhangarra-hear,-think,-listen-cultural-yarning Picture: Yarning view at "Girinyalanha" Aboriginal Nature and Bioscience Park.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) and the Australian Computer Society (ACS) Foundation are again joining forces to host the Big Day In from 9am to 2.30pm on Wednesday 7 March in Wagga Wagga.The Big Day In at CSU in Wagga Wagga is an information technology (IT) careers fair aimed at school students in Years 9 to 12, as well as university students interested in IT careers.More than 500 students and teachers will be officially welcomed to the Big Day In at 9am by Associate Head of the CSU School of Computing and Mathematics Mr Jason Howarth and Mayor of Wagga Wagga Councillor Greg Conkey, OAM.In addition to a range of exhibitors, a number speakers from organisations such as Adobe, FARMpay, Professional Data Kinetics, and Westpac, will address the students about where an IT career can take them.Kooringal High School student and founder of EduKits International, Mr Michael Nixon will also speak from 1.30pm at the Big Day In about his creation of an electronics and code learning kit. He recently toured Silicon Valley in the USA as part of his prize for winning the national Regional Pitchfest 2017 for The Amazing Annoyatron.The Big Day In 2018 program can be found here.

An emotionally engaging art exhibition inspired by the ‘Stations of the Cross’ will open at the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture (ACC&C) in Canberra on Friday evening 2 March.Executive Director of the ACC&C Reverend Professor Stephen Pickard (pictured) said, “The Centre has a special focus on creativity through the arts and culture, and is delighted to host the annual ‘Stations of the Cross 2018’ art exhibition in Canberra.“The ‘Stations of the Cross 2018’ exhibition takes the original story of Jesus’ tortured progress along the Via Delorosa in Jerusalem, from Him being sentenced to death, to His crucifixion and then resurrection.“Sixteen artists were given a different Station of the Cross to reflect on and produce an artwork.“The 16 works in a range of materials and styles, including sculpture, are inspiring, challenging and engaging. They are a wonderful media through which the important issues and questions are raised about life, faith and meaning in today’s world.“I encourage all people who are interested in considering the meaning of life to view the exhibition and reflect on the questions it raises for them.”The exhibition is curated by Reverend Dr Douglas Purnell, OAM, and Mr Christopher Auckett from Northmead Creative and Performing Arts High School.The exhibition at the ACC&C Chapel, corner Kings Avenue and Blackall Street in Barton, ACT, will be officially opened at 6pm on Friday 2 March by Emeritus Professor Sasha Grishin, AM, and is open from 10am to 4pm daily from Sunday 4 to Thursday 15 March.The full online catalogue can be viewed here:https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/b9aa5a40-52ca-4af5-97f5-5aaf7c557b8bRelated events at the ACC&C in Canberra include an introduction to the artworks for registered guests by curator Rev. Dr Douglas Purnell from 9.30am to 1pm on Saturday 3 March. The exhibition will be open to the public from 1pm to 4pm that day.A free public lecture on ‘Spirituality and Art’ will be presented by Emeritus Professor Sasha Grishin, AM, FAHA, at 7.30pm on Wednesday 7 March at the exhibition.More information can be found here or by phoning (02) 6272 6201.

Internationally acclaimed filmmaker, writer, producer and director Mr Alrick Brown will present a free public lecture at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga on Monday 5 March.His collective works have screened in over 65 festivals worldwide, earning several honours. This includes the HBO Life Through Your Lens Emerging Filmmaker Award for the critically acclaimed documentary, Death of Two Sons.He is also Assistant Professor of Undergraduate Film and Television at New York University (NYU).The NYU academic’s first feature, Kinyarwanda, was recipient of the prestigious World Cinema Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival.Mr Brown’s credits include the small screen as director, producer and writer on a variety of projects – ABC’s Final Witness, ESPN’s short documentary series Spike Lee’s Lil’ Joint and Investigative Discoveries Emmy-Award winning series, A Crime Two Remember.His published works have appeared in the Huffington Post as well as the New Jersey English Journal.The public lecture will be held in the Wal Fife Theatre, building 14, CSU in Wagga Wagga on Monday 5March from 5:30pm until 7pm.Head of the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries Associate Professor Sue Wood said, “We’re delighted to welcome Alrick to Charles Sturt University to share his knowledge and expertise of the film and television industry as well as a glimpse at his life as an internationally acclaimed producer and writer.”

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga will celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) by co-hosting an event in conjunction with the Sydney Opera House.Head of Campus at CSU in Albury-Wodonga Dr Jenni Munday (pictured) said CSU in Albury-Wodonga will host a live-streaming satellite event from 12.30pm on Sunday 4 March.“The annual All About Women (AAW) event on Sunday 4 March is one of Sydney Opera House’s flagship festivals and is a prelude to International Women’s Day on Thursday 8 March,” Dr Munday said.“This year the Sydney Opera House will be streaming three headline sessions and an exclusive backstage Q&A with a key speaker.“It is a full afternoon of talks and discussions about ideas that matter to women, and provides an important platform for women’s voices.”CSU Albury-Wodonga will stream the whole program, so attendees can choose to stay for one session or the entire afternoon.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will celebrate the launch on Tuesday 27 February of six books written and edited by members of the CSU Institute for Land, Water and Society (ILWS).With topics ranging from healthy ageing, freshwater ecosystems in protected areas, and Pacific politics to empowering social workers, the books are encompassed by the ILWS mission to ‘undertake internationally recognised integrated environmental, social and economic research for rural and regional areas’.ILWS director Professor Max Finlayson (pictured) said, “These books from a range of disciplines highlight the variety and depth of work undertaken by Institute members.“Many books contain chapters written by other ILWS members, demonstrating the breadth of expertise available in ILWS for regional Australia.”One author, Associate Professor Rik Thwaites, said his book on the current state and future of community forestry in the Himalayan nation of Nepal was the culmination of years of work by himself and four former students who have graduated with PhDs from CSU in recent years.“Nepal is seen as a model and a laboratory for how community forest can be achieved, managed and implemented. But it is not without its problems, especially as the nation and its people change in the modern world, as we discuss in our book,” Professor Thwaites said.The books to be launched are:* Bernoth, M., & Winkler, D. (2017) (eds.) Healthy ageing and aged care. South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.* Finlayson, C.M., Arthington, A.H., Pittock, J. (eds.) (2017) Freshwater Ecosystems in Protected Areas, Conservation and Management. Routledge.* Midgley, J. & Pawar, M. (eds.) (2017) Future Directions in Social Development, New York. Palgrave Macmillan.* O’Sullivan, D. (2017) Indigeneity: A politics of potential – Australia, Fiji and New Zealand. PolicyPress, University of Bristol.* Pawar, M., Hugman, R., Alexandra, A., Anscombe, A.W.B. (eds.) (2017) Empowering Social workers. Virtuous practitioners. Springer.* Thwaites, R., Fisher, R. & Poudel, M. (eds.) (2018) Community Forestry in Nepal: Adapting to a Changing World. Earthscan from Routledge.The event will commence at 10.30am on Tuesday 27 February in the Gums Café, CSU in Albury-Wodonga.Many of the authors and editors will attend the event, which will be followed by a morning tea and conversations with them.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo will welcome 60 commencing students when Orientation Week (O Week) activities start on Tuesday 20 February.CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann said, “The start of the new academic year at the University is always an exciting time, particularly with the arrival of new students on campus for Orientation Week activities, followed by the return of continuing students.“I welcome all new students, whether they are studying on campus or online. Charles Sturt University is committed to providing the best possible student experience, and sharing the University’s values so students become graduates who are insightful, inclusive, inspiring and who make a positive impact in their communities and professional disciplines.”Key points:Across CSU there are 2 785 new on-campus students in 201860 new students at CSU in Dubbo (does not include online students)Welcome Ceremony at CSU in Dubbo at 10am Tuesday 19 FebruaryAcademic classes for on-campus students start on Monday 26 FebruaryHead of Campus Ms Cathy Maginnis (pictured) said, “We welcome the new commencing students in 2018 at Charles Sturt University in Dubbo, and congratulate them on their acceptance of their chosen course and the start of their lifelong learning journey.“It will be an exciting and exhilarating journey with many challenges ahead.“The commencement ceremony is a chance to celebrate with the new students and introduce them to the campus and staff in preparation for academic classes which start on Monday 26 February.“We also welcome any students studying mixed mode or online to come and use the newly refurbished student-friendly 24/7 facilities, as well as access the support staff on campus.“In their time with us we hope students will adopt the Charles Sturt University ethos of Yindyamarra Winhanganha – the wisdom of respectfully knowing how to live well in a world worth living in.”O Week activities at CSU in Dubbo include a Welcome Ceremony at 10am on Tuesday 20 February for students and their families and supporters. Throughout the week new students will attend meetings with course coordinators and lecturers, tours of the campus and facilities, and social activities.Session One classes for students studying on campus commence on Monday 26 February.Ms Maginnis said CSU in Dubbo continues to provide high quality student-centred courses - nursing, early childhood and primary education, and social work, with committed academics and support staff. She encourages any students who have been unsuccessful in gaining entry to their chosen course to contact the University to discuss their options, as single study subjects and pathway courses are available.

Senior executives of Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst welcomed His Excellency, Mr Kwok Fook Seng, High Commissioner of Singapore, for a visit on Monday morning, 19 February.His Excellency was met by Head of Campus at CSU in Bathurst, Associate Professor Chika Anyanwu, who introduced Mr Kwok to Professor Heather Cavanagh, Pro Vice Chancellor, Global Engagement (Research and Partnerships).Professor Cavanagh and His Excellency held a private meeting at The Grange Chancellery to discuss higher education and international relations. “I was delighted to welcome His Excellency on behalf of the University, and to exchange views about furthering higher education opportunities in Australia and Singapore,” Professor Cavanagh said.“I thank the High Commissioner for his interest in the higher education sector, and specifically for his interest in the role of Charles Sturt University in delivering education to students in rural and regional Australia, and to international students.”At the conclusion of the meeting, Professor Cavanagh escorted His Excellency on a walking tour of the campus in Bathurst led by Dr Shevahn Telfser, manager of CSU Global (Global Engagement).