The academic successes of current environmental and health students from Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) Faculty of Science will be celebrated on Thursday 22 March at CSU in Albury-Wodonga. The Dean of Science, Professor Nick Klomp, will present awards and prizes for academic excellence, including the prestigious DA Johnstone Perpetual Award for the top environmental sciences student. “Stopping to recognise and celebrate academic excellence is an important part of the University’s commitment in the pursuit of excellence,” said Professor Klomp. Current and graduating undergraduate and postgraduate students will receive prizes from local and international companies and organisations as well as Dean’s awards from 2pm in the Gum’s Café at Thurgoona.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo and Orange will come alive with science when the Science@CSU comes to town next week. The Faculty of Science at CSU is among the largest and most diverse science faculties in Australasia, with approximately 9 000 students and hundreds of staff in seven schools across six campuses. The Faculty teaches and conducts research in a variety of science and health disciplines including veterinary science, dentistry, nursing, environmental studies, forensic biotechnology, wine science, agriculture, and allied health. Dean of the Faculty of Science, Professor Nick Klomp, will present a summary of some of the exciting initiatives currently planned or being implemented in the various science disciplines at CSU, including new courses, current and future collaborations in research, and professional training made possible because of new international staff appointments and multi-million dollar investments in research and training facilities across CSU campuses. Science@CSU will visit the Dubbo Campus from 4pm to 5pm on Monday 19 March and the Orange Campus on Tuesday 20 March. Read more about Science@CSU here.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga has welcomed more than 60 new international students from countries including South Korea, Japan, Colombia, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.  Among them is PhD student Mr Muhammad Shoaib Tufail, from Pakistan. Mr Tufail’s research through CSU’s School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences focuses on the development of village-based forage seed production enterprises to make small farms more sustainable. “I’ve worked with Charles Sturt University under Australian Support Linkage Program (ASLP) in Pakistan and I’m pleased to continue that association with research that has the potential to benefit millions of small, mixed farms in my country,” he said. Mr Tufail has embraced student life, taking on a role leading the International Student Club at CSU. The new international students had a chance to mingle at an informal morning tea hosted by the Learning Skills staff within the University’s Academic Support in Wagga Wagga on Friday 24 February. The International Student Club is one of a number of organisations involved in Club’s Day at CSU in Wagga Wagga on Friday 2 March. Read more here.

The annual Kids Day Out charity fundraiser planned for Saturday 3 March at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst has been postponed due to the recent heavy rain. Ms Alyce Woods, the director of the event organised by the Mitchell Student Guild at CSU, said, “Due to heavy rain in Bathurst this week we have had to postpone the 2012 Kids Day Out until September. We regret any inconvenience, but the ground is just too soggy for the safe and practical staging of the event. We look forward to better conditions later in the year, and hope to delight children and families with a fun-filled day then.”

Charles Sturt University (CSU) has developed degrees and extensive facilities to promote the importance of preschool education, and its new Murray Children’s Centre at CSU in Albury-Wodonga is an important step in expanding on the University’s commitment to early childhood education. The centre director, Dr Sydnye Allen, said the facility is dedicated to supporting and demonstrating best practice for preschool children and their families. “We provide spaces throughout the building to encourage families to be part of their children’s education, which includes shared meal spaces and a private room for feeding young children,” Dr Allen said. “Our well-qualified preschool staff include early childhood education graduates from CSU’s School of Education which is also located on the campus.” Places are now available at the CSU Murray Children’s Centre.

Five women who began their fine art studies together have reunited to stage their first independent exhibition. The women all commenced the Advanced Diploma of Fine Arts at Riverina TAFE Institute at the same time and three have continued their studies towards the new fine arts degree offered jointly by Charles Sturt University (CSU) and Riverina TAFE Institute. The artists are Kylie Graham, Michelle Grant, Lynn Kaczmarek, Danusia Machalak and Karen Cowled. “Because our work is so diverse, we decided to simply name the exhibition 5 Women,” Michelle Grant said. The works range from abstracts to portraits and from prints to mixed media. The exhibition will be staged in the HR Gallop Gallery on CSU’s Wagga Wagga Campus until Friday 22 December from 9am to 4.30pm. The public is welcome and entry is free.

Australian actress Ms Lyn Collingwood will be in Wagga Wagga this week to launch the 2012 season of the University Theatre Ensemble (UTE) on Wednesday 14 March. Well known for her long-running role as Colleen Smart on the television show, Home and Away, Ms Collingwood’s career in film, television and on stage spans 37 years. Lecturer with the Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Communication and Creative Industries, Mr John Saunders, said, “It is indeed a great honour to have Lyn visit us as the special guest at the launch. I remember vividly her remarkable performance as Dot Cook (Mum) in the Riverina Theatre Company’s One Day of the Year back in the early nineties.” The UTE season launch will take place on Wednesday 14 March at The Riverina Playhouse, Cross Street in Wagga Wagga from 7pm to approximately 8pm.

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic has been named one of four heroes of science in a new book promoting various fields of science to Australian school students. Former CSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Kath Bowmer, has been recognised for her work in improving the management of water flows through inland rivers to improve water quality, particularly in the Murray Darling Basin. Her work was particularly important in addressing the blue-green algae scares in the Darling River during the 1990s, and in developing Australia’s first water sharing plan along the Murrumbidgee River in the 2000s. “The books have been written to encourage children to take an interest in science. I was amazed by being included in a book on the Heroes of Australian Science, and slightly astounded when I saw that the other three scientists featured in the book included former Australian of the Year and leading environmentalist Professor Tim Flannery.” The book was written by Ms Jane Fitzpatrick and published by Macmillan Education.

The Dean of the Faculty of Business, Professor Lesley White, will host a ceremony to present 11 prizes to outstanding students in the Faculty of Business at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Wednesday 14 March. “The prizes cover a range of disciplines including accounting, taxation, management, marketing, information technology and computer science, and I am delighted that they are made available to outstanding students by organisations which understand the importance of supporting our future business leaders,” Professor White said. Sponsors include the Central West Law Society, Pearson Australia, St George Bank Ltd, the Association of Taxation and Management Accountants, CPA Australia Ltd, Devro Pty Ltd, LexisNexis Australia, and the Institute of Chartered Accountants. Twenty three Dean’s List Awards will also be presented to acknowledge outstanding academic performance by students in the Faculty.