Participants are being sought for a new study at Charles Sturt University (CSU) into the experiences of overseas qualified nurses and midwives. Lecturer with the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health at CSU in Wagga Wagga, Ms Sophia Dywili, is seeking the assistance of those health professionals whose first nursing qualification was obtained from a country in sub-Saharan Africa, and who then moved to work in rural and regional NSW and Victoria. Ms Dywili is exploring the migration experiences of nurses and midwives moving from sub-Saharan African to Australia for her PhD. Research participants would be involved in a confidential interview and/or focus group discussion. Ms Dywili moved from Zimbabwe to work as a Registered Nurse at Bankstown Hospital in 2004. She also worked as a Clinical Nurse Educator at Liverpool Hospital before taking up a lecturing position at CSU in 2009. For more information, contact Ms Dywili by email (sdywili@csu.edu.au ) or telephone 02 6933 2452.

Environmental educators from across the Murray Darling Basin will gather this week at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga to describe their opportunities and problems and discuss collaborations in the coming year. The meeting, on Thursday 11 and Friday 12 April, will be hosted by the Regional Centre for Expertise in Education for Sustainable Development (RCE-MD) based at CSU. Thirty-five educators from primary schools, TAFE, catchment management authorities, state agencies and research institutes from NSW, ACT and Victoria will gather on the University’s most environmentally sustainable campus to explore education for sustainable development in the Murray Darling Basin. Event coordinator Dr John Rafferty said, "This is a significant meeting of environmental educators. These professionals work with schools, communities and families promoting greater understanding of natural systems across Murray Darling Basin communities.” This second annual meeting is funded by the Murray Darling Basin Authority  in conjunction with RCE-MD.  

The Education For Practice Institute at Charles Sturt University (CSU) will hold its third practice-based education summit in Sydney on Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 April. The 2013 Practice-Based Education Summit: Practice, Culture and Identity will hear from Australian and international practice-based education experts, led by the Vice-Chancellor and President of CSU, Professor Andrew Vann, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) , Professor Garry Marchant and Director of the Education For Practice Institute, Professor Joy Higgs. The Deputy Director of CSU’s Education for Practice Institute, Associate Professor Franziska Trede, said, “The 2013 Summit will explore the connections between professional practice and concepts of culture and identity. Keynote speeches address knowledge practices in professions, practice in the digital age, and practicing professional identities. Delegates will examine the ways in which practice, culture and identity can inform future research and teaching directions for university-based professional education and workplace learning.” Visiting experts include Professor Monika Nerland (University of Oslo), Professor Rainer Winter (Alpen-Adrai University of Klagenfurt), Professor Nita Cherry (Swinburne University of Technology), Professor Jan Orrell (Flinders University), Professor David Boud (University of Technology, Sydney) and Dr Calvin Smith (Griffith University).

Charles Sturt University (CSU) student Ms Hannah McKenzie has been awarded for her support of moves to reduce bottled water at the institution. The animal science student from Young won a bicycle after completing a quiz to promote student awareness about the environmental, financial and health benefits of using tap water over purchasing bottled water. It is part of CSU Green’s Free Water Project which includes new bubblers and bottle refilling stations and the sale of reusable bottles at CSU retail outlets. CSU Green Manager Mr Ed Maher said, “The prize of a bike aims to encourage students to cycle to and from campus as well as around campus instead of driving. This benefits their health and wellbeing, hip pocket and the environment. As part of our sustainability targets, Charles Sturt University wants to reduce waste, save water and cut carbon emissions.” The bike was supplied by local business, Kidsons Cycles. You can read more about CSU Green’s Free Water Project here.

An international expert in reconciling Christian and Muslim peoples and ideas will discuss his life’s work and experiences at a public lecture in Port Macquarie on Wednesday 10 April. Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Reverend Professor James Haire, AC, director of the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture in Canberra, will lead discussions  into relations between Christian and Muslim people, and to how both communities can live in peace and harmony with integrity to both faiths. Professor Haire is past president of the Uniting Church in Australia and the National Council of Churches,  and led a Christian university in Indonesia for 13 years. Between 2000 and 2005, he participated in peace negotiations in the Molucca Islands based in Ambon, Indonesia, after considerable violence between Christians and Muslims in the province. The event, the first of four public lectures to be held at the Glasshouse in Port Macquarie, will start at 5pm.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will host two MyDay information events on Monday 15 April for senior high school students interested to study communication subjects in Bathurst and dentistry and allied health subjects in Orange. The MyDay in Bathurst will help students explore careers in advertising, commercial radio, journalism, sports journalism, public relations, and theatre/media through the School of Communication and Creative Industries. In Orange, the MyDay will profile dentistry at the School of Dentistry and Health Sciences, pharmacy and clinical science at the School of Biomedical Sciences and physiotherapy through the School of Community Health. CSU prospective student adviser, Ms Fran Dwyer, said, “MyDay offers Year 11-12 students the opportunity to find out about the courses available and to experience a day in the life of a university student ‘living and learning’ on campus. The day will involve hands on activities, tours of facilities, and up-to-date information about courses, international study options, and the application process. Students will also get the opportunity to talk to current students and academic staff.” Both MyDay events will be from 10am to 2pm on Monday 15 April, with concurrent information session for parents. Students need to register their interest online at www.csu.edu.au/myday or phone 6338 6010.

Australia’s Young Endeavour national youth sail training program “builds positive social capital” according to a study released by the Federal Government. Charles Sturt University students Sarah Poulos and Tom Fisher agree. “I sailed a few years ago and met a whole group of absolutely fantastic people,” says Sarah, currently in her fourth year of a special education teaching degree on Dubbo Campus and the recipient of a two-year scholarship from the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children. Tom sailed in July and says “it was awesome. It exceeded my expectations tenfold. You build personal confidence which gives you the ability to do anything you want.” Tom is an agribusiness student from Wagga Wagga Campus who went on a student exchange to Kentucky, USA last year for six months, and is off to Japan soon on a Mitsui travel scholarship.

A passion for rural health has inspired Dr Debbie Burton in her role as senior lecturer in biomedical science at Charles Sturt University’s Orange Campus. “My son and father both have asthma,” Dr Burton says, “and my cousin died from a pneumonia-related illness so I am very passionate about research into how the lung functions.” Her research into the rural prevalence and management of asthma has looked intensely at the implementing of new techniques, rural health access, and environmental triggers. Australia has the third highest prevalence of childhood asthma in the world, with over 2.2 million people suffering from asthma including one in six children. Dr Burton will demonstrate her work as part of the Community Day to be held on Orange Campus this Saturday 9 September, from 10.30am to 4pm.

Children and staff at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Murray Children’s Centre will share their love for the local environment at an event this week at CSU in Albury-Wodonga. Members of the public as well as parents and guests of the Centre have been invited to view the vegetable, herb and native gardens established in the grounds of the Centre as part of a project funded by CSU Green showing the children how water conservation can be integrated around the home. “We wanted to use the CSU Green grant to develop our gardens so children can learn in a stimulating and sustainable environment, using plants and materials we can all have in our own backyards,” said Centre director, Dr Sydnye Allen. The afternoon tea event commences at 3.30pm on Friday 5 April at the Murray Children’s Centre, building 711, off Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona.