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CSU CUP grants support regional arts and education
LOCAL NEWS  14 Jun 2017

CSU CUP grants support regional arts and education

Organisations in the Bathurst region have been advised of their success in two categories of the Charles Sturt University (CSU) 2017 Community-University Partnership (CUP) grants.The grants announcements are for the Rural and Regional Education Development Program and the Rural and Regional Arts and Culture Program.Head of Campus at CSU in Bathurst, Associate Professor Chika Anyanwu said, "The Community-University Partnerships program aims to advance our mission by cultivating strong, relevant and collaborative partnerships with local communities, industry, government and employers."It is just one of the ways that the University demonstrates its motto, 'For the public good', and its ethos, 'yindyamarra winhanganha', meaning 'the wisdom of respectfully knowing how to live well in a world worth living in'."It gives me great pleasure to congratulate the successful applicants in our region."The CUP Rural and Regional Education Development Program is a small grant program (generally between $500 and $1 000) aimed at assisting primary and secondary schools, and not-for-profit early childhood centres in the University's regions, acquire equipment or consumables that assist in facilitating students' learning and engagement in rural and regional areas. Successful applicants in this category each received $1 000, and they include:St Stanislaus College in Bathurst, to engage and challenge students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The grant will be used to purchase a Rocket Launcher so that Year 8 students can prepare to compete in the NSW Aeronautical Velocity Challenge.Holman Place Public School in Cowra, a special needs school that caters for students with a range of disabilities including autism, physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities and mental health, for its Special Needs Sensory Area, to purchase specialised equipment that can further support students while they are at school.St Raphael's Catholic School in Cowra, for its Interactive Outdoor Learning Area 'Move and Groove' Music Wall. The interactive outdoor learning area aims to transform a neglected area of the playground into an area that stimulates the senses, intellect and physique of the children, and improve the general health and wellbeing of staff and children as well as provide an alternative form of play for children with specific needs.The CUP Rural and Regional Arts and Culture Program is a small grants program (generally $500 to $1 000) to support regional arts and culture programs including artists-in-residence, art shows, musical education, talks and lectures, and related activities that encourage engagement by younger people in artistic endeavours. Four successful applicants each received $1 000:Rockley Public School Parents and Citizens Association, to allow all senior students the chance to perform as part of a combined public schools recorder group at the Sydney Opera House in September;Macquarie Philharmonia Association Inc., to employ an experienced orchestral manager to work with the Musical Director, schools music teachers, and regional conservatorium to engage young musicians in the school's mentoring program;Turon Art Group Junior, to create opportunity and encourage young local and regional artists to pursue their ambitions by holding a youth and children's art exhibition at Sofala Memorial Hall on the October long weekend, with prize money for each age group category, and a people's choice award; andBathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, to support the annual three-day Bathurst Writers' and Readers' Festival with funding to help pay writers for workshops and as speakers.

Arts and CultureCharles Sturt UniversityTeaching and EducationTeacher education

Small businesses go to Next Stage
LOCAL NEWS  14 Jun 2017

Small businesses go to Next Stage

A leading academic in entrepreneurship at Charles Sturt University (CSU) believes small businesses should do considerable groundwork before they expand.CSU Professor of Entrepreneurship Professor Morgan Miles says that to grow, small business owners need a variety of new skills and information."They will need to identify opportunities and innovations, network and negotiate, target markets, develop effective selling strategies and communications, improve processes, gather financial intelligence, and prepare to manage larger teams," said Professor Miles, who is with the CSU Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences.Professor Miles will address these topics and more in the 'Next Stage Growth Program' to be presented by CSU's CenWest Innovate project based in Bathurst."Participants will be invited to think about the fundamentals of being an entrepreneur, as well as marketing and managing the growth process," he said."We will need to go back to basics to assess our core business strategies, mission and expected growth."In addition, we will conduct market research, develop marketing strategies and learn how to use digital and social media to build and manage customer relations."The six month program will cost $2 000 per business, with up to two participants per business. Scholarships are available.To apply to participate in or for details regarding the program, phone 02 6338 4503 or send an email. The first course is due to commence on Thursday 20 July at CSU in Bathurst.

Robots get partnership grant from CSU
LOCAL NEWS  12 Jun 2017

Robots get partnership grant from CSU

A project to provide equipment to teach robotics in a Corowa school has been awarded $1 000 through the Charles Sturt University (CSU) Community-University Partnerships (CUP) program.Principal at St Mary's Primary School in Corowa, Mr Glenn McMahon, said the grant will be used to purchase robots to enhance the coding education already practiced at the school."This is part of our push to encourage education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in our schools," Mr McMahon said."For example, in our school we want to develop a rural hub for digital technology and STEM education accessible to 40 schools within one hour drive of Corowa."We are so excited to have been the recipients of this grant. We can't wait to put it into action," Mr McMahon said.In the latest round of grants, the University provided around $25,000 for community projects across all its campuses, from Albury-Wodonga to Port Macquarie.Head of Campus at CSU in Albury-Wodonga, Dr Jenni Munday, said "the CUP program supports the development of our regions through contributions to cultural, economic, sporting and related activities."It also builds aspirations and awareness of higher education particularly among young people living in rural and regional communities."This year saw a number of CUP grants awarded to projects involving STEM education in regional schools.

A new exhibition space for Dubbo
LOCAL NEWS  8 Jun 2017

A new exhibition space for Dubbo

Newly-completed revitalisation of Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo has given rise to a new exhibition space for artists and the public to use.Head of Campus at CSU in Dubbo Ms Cathy Maginnis said the space is professionally set up, accessible, safe, crowd-friendly and free."The heart of the campus in Dubbo underwent a significant $4 million revitalisation in 2016, and as a reflection of our ethos 'for the public good' we are offering individuals or collectives the opportunity to host an exhibition here," Ms Maginnis said."This is an expression of 'yindyamarra winhanganha' and the University's values of being inclusive, inspirational and impactful, by facilitating spaces for the community to share and learn from others in a warm and welcoming environment."We offer a significant hanging space that is a cost neutral option for those wanting to exhibit and sell their work."The first exhibition will be by local Aboriginal artist Mr Mal Morris from Monday 26 June to Friday 25 August.CSU seeks applications from artists, curators and organisations by Friday 28 July to schedule exhibits for the coming 12 months.To discuss exhibiting at CSU in Dubbo contact Mr Bart Sykes on 6885 7305 or bsykes@csu.edu.au, or in person at CSU at 8 Tony McGrane Way, Dubbo.

Arts and CultureCharles Sturt UniversityHigher educationSociety and Community

EngFest 2017 builds in Bathurst
LOCAL NEWS  2 Jun 2017

EngFest 2017 builds in Bathurst

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst will be the centre of the local engineering world next week when it stages Engfest 2017.Hosted by CSU Engineering, the four-day event includes activities for the central west community, industry and schools as well as CSU Engineering students.This year, the degree is drawing international appeal by hosting staff from the renowned US-based Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) which are investigating what makes the internationally innovative CSU degree tick. This comes on top of a recent visit by delegates from the Minnesota Institute of Engineering in USA.The central west community is invited to Community Day on Tuesday 6 June at 9.30amto hear from the national winning team from CSU in the 2016 Engineers Without Borders Challenge on what it takes to win the annual Challenge, which is for engineering students across Australia.This year, the students have developed ideas that will address the needs of ten communities on Espiritu Santo Island in Vanuatu. These communities are seeking new income generating activities so the villagers no longer need to rely on income from harvesting the endangered coconut crab. Visitors can view this year's entries for the Challenge by first-year CSU student engineers throughout the day.CSU Professor of Engineering Jim Morgan will then present his thoughts on transforming his traditional academic career into the extraordinary opportunity of starting a unique program while being allowed to break most of the academic rules. The lecture commences at 6pm on Tuesday 6 June and is part of CSU's Explorations Series public lectures.Local engineering professionals and firms have been invited to Industry Day on Wednesday 7 Juneto view the Challenge exhibits by the student engineers in the morning, and will then discuss regional business, universities and entrepreneurship during an afternoon of professional development activities with CSU's CenWest Innovate, the Sydney School of Entrepreneurship and with the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia.CSU Expo Day on Thursday 8 June will include final tours of the first- and second-year exhibitions and the CSU Engineering building, which has been shortlisted for this year's NSW Architecture Awards.Finally, high school students, teachers and parents can learn more about engineering and the CSU engineering degree at MyDay on Friday 9 June. Year-12 students will also receive an exclusive opportunity to apply for early entry into the 2018 course.All activities during EngFest will be in CSU Engineering (building 1305), Panorama Ave, CSU in Bathurst.The full program for EngFest 2017 is here, andregister here to attend various EngFest activities.

Tales From The Arabian Nights opens in Wagga Wagga
LOCAL NEWS  31 May 2017

Tales From The Arabian Nights opens in Wagga Wagga

The second production in the University Theatre Ensemble (UTE) 2017 season opens at the CSU Riverina Playhouse on Thursday 1 June.Tales From The Arabian Nights is directed by Dr Dominique Sweeney (pictured) who was recently appointed as a lecturer in stage and screen acting at the Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Communication and Creative Industries in Wagga Wagga. He is a filmmaker specialising in documenting performance practice, and in particular he has been researching and filming traditional Aboriginal performances.CSU's third-year students of the Bachelor of Stage and Screen (Acting) students bring to life these ancient stories of The Arabian Nights recrafted by Australian playwright Donna Abela.Dr Sweeney said, "This famous story from the Arabian Nights recounts the paranoid world of King Shahrayar who kills everyone and everything that is a potential threat until the enchanting Shahrazad bravely steps in. Risking her life she begins a tale that continues into another and another which so intrigues the King that he is utterly transformed. The storyteller changes the king and the world."Tales From The Arabian Nights opens at the CSU Riverina Playhouse at 7.30pm on Thursday 1 June then plays Friday and Saturday at 7.30pm and Thursday 8 June to Saturday 10 June at 7.30pm, with a matinee at 2pm on Saturday 10 June.Tickets can be booked at the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre Booking Office, telephone 6926 9688, or are available at the door.The University continues its policy of providing excellent value for money with tickets prices of $25 full price, $18 for groups (5 or more), $15 concession, and $12.50 for students. Book online at http://www.civictheatre.com.au/

Arts and CultureCharles Sturt UniversityCSU studentsCommunication and Creative Industries

Law degree takes next step for reconciliation
LOCAL NEWS  31 May 2017

Law degree takes next step for reconciliation

As Australians celebrate national Reconciliation Week, Charles Sturt University's law degree has been recognised as leading the way for other similar courses across NSW.The NSW Justice Department recently recognised the inclusion of Indigenous Cultural Competency as compulsory study for all students in the degree as an excellent way to provide students with knowledge, skills and capabilities to work effectively with Indigenous people and communities.CSU law lecturer Ms Annette Gainsford said the recognition was a good alignment with this year's theme of 'Let's take the next steps' for Reconciliation Week."Our degree is one of the first in law to establish Indigenous cultural competency in curriculum and work together towards promoting reconciliation in Australia," Ms Gainsford said."Furthermore, we are leading the way in Australia in the design and delivery of Indigenous perspectives across our law degree."We have Indigenous and non-Indigenous academics, community members and Elders collaborating to 'take the next steps' to provide authentic learning experiences to assist our Law students with their cultural competency learning journey."Sharing our stories and learning from each other is an important component of our teaching. Building respectful relations is an important step in acknowledging traditional Indigenous knowledge as a rich source of wisdom." Director of the Centre for Law and Justice, Associate Professor Alison Gerard said, "It is wonderful to have this recognition from industry that Charles Sturt University is leading the way."This week in class, law students will analyse the NSW legislation that paved the way for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families and will evaluate its impact on current access to justice."In their assessment they will demonstrate appropriate cultural protocols and language use – a great example of how to build technical legal skills and foster Indigenous cultural competence among our law students so that they can be the change-makers of the future."Manager of CSU's Indigenous Student Centres, Mr Nathan Peckham, said Reconciliation Week was "an opportunity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to get together, celebrate Indigenous culture, acknowledge the past and continue to work towards a positive future as one."Staff in our Indigenous Student Centres at Charles Sturt University, including Wammarra in Bathurst, provide an important platform in this process with a number of events this week and we look forward to building relationships across communities in the future."

Engineering career satisfying, exciting: public lecture in Bathurst
LOCAL NEWS  30 May 2017

Engineering career satisfying, exciting: public lecture in Bathurst

The excitement and satisfaction of a career in engineering is the focus of the next Explorations Series free public lecture at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Tuesday 6 June.The title of the free public lecture to be delivered by CSU engineering academic Professor Jim Morgan is 'Finding my way: A journey from a traditional career to living the dream'.Professor Morgan, from Texas, USA, will discuss how he transformed a traditional academic career into the extraordinary opportunities of starting a new and unique program at CSU while being allowed to break most of the rules."This has been a once in a lifetime opportunity for anyone … a dream come true for an engineering educator!" Professor Morgan said.Head of Campus at CSU in Bathurst Associate Professor Chika Anyanwu said, "We encourage everybody to come and listen to how we are breaking all the rules, and transforming our society with new ideas. Jim and his colleagues have demonstrated that with determination and vision, nothing is impossible."Our Exploration Series public lectures are geared towards sharing with the wider community new and exciting ideas as part of our intellectual exchange as a University campus. We are looking forward to sharing this exciting evening with you."                                                                                   The public lecture starts at 6pm on Tuesday 6 June in building 1292, room 223, at CSU in Bathurst. Follow the event parking signs to P7. There will be time for questions and answers, and light refreshments will be served at the conclusion.Please RSVP online for catering purposes, or send an email. Guests are also welcome to just turn up on the night.

Business and EconomicsCharles Sturt UniversityResearchCSU studentsScienceSociety and Community

Scholarships and prizes awarded at CSU in Dubbo
LOCAL NEWS  30 May 2017

Scholarships and prizes awarded at CSU in Dubbo

The annual scholarships and prizes presentation ceremony at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo on Tuesday 23 May saw 16 scholarships and nine prizes awarded to students.Across the University a total of 296 scholarships worth over $1.2 million will be awarded in 2017, making it one of the strongest scholarship portfolios in the country. The number and value of CSU scholarships has increased 21 per cent since 2015.Head of Campus at CSU in Dubbo Ms Cathy Maginnis said, "This scholarships and prizes presentation evening recognises and celebrates the outstanding achievements of students."It also recognises the contributions made by local businesses, organisations and individuals who sponsor an award, and enables recipients to meet the donors and share their stories and explain what the award will do for them. Without these generous benefactors the evening would not occur and these students would struggle to study."The CSU Foundation Trust also presented scholarships to students and these contribute to enhancing the students' experiences and development of professionals for our regions. We were fortunate to have CSU Acting Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Toni Downes present a scholarship on behalf of the University Council and the Chancellor of the University."The Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science Professor Tim Wess, and Head of the School of Indigenous Australian Studies Associate Professor Jay Phillips also attended.Academic prizes and awards were also presented to students with outstanding results in their course and Dean's merit awards were presented as recognition of students' outstanding academic performance."The evening was a chance to celebrate the hard work and achievements of students and the support they have from their families," Ms Maginnis said. "It was an opportunity to mingle with donors, recipients, staff and families in the newly refurbished Café at completion of the ceremony."This ceremony is an important calendar event for the University and all students should feel very proud of their achievements, this provides further incentive to aim for further awards and recognises the hard work they have put into their studies. The scholarships and prizes are earned from a very competitive field and reinforces the students' choice of course to study at Charles Sturt University."Ms Genoveva De Sousa presented the vote of thanks on behalf of all the students and concluded her speech by thanking everyone in five languages, which alone is a major achievement."

Charles Sturt UniversityCSU studentsHigher educationSociety and Community

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