Two categories of Charles Sturt University (CSU) Community-University Partnership (CUP) grants in 2017 opened for applications on Monday 27 February.Head of Campus at CSU in Orange, Dr Heather Robinson, said, "A range of organisations that enrich our regional communities benefit from the practical support of the CUP grants."The CUP grants contribute to cultural, economic, sporting and related activities that support the development of our regions, which in turn promotes awareness particularly among young people in rural and regional communities and fosters their aspiration for higher education."I encourage the representatives of relevant and interested groups to consider applying, and I look forward to receiving their applications."The 2017 CUP grant categories available from Monday 27 February are CUP Head of Campus Small Grants Program, and CUP Rural and Regional Arts and Culture Program. Subsequently, the CUP Rural and Regional Education Development Program opens on Monday 3 April; the CUP Rural and Regional Indigenous Community Engagement Program opens on Monday 1 May; and the CUP Rural and Regional Sports Development Program has two opening dates – 'Summer' on Monday 1 May, and 'Winter' on 4 September.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is calling for applications for its Community-University Partnership (CUP) grants for 2017 in two categories which are available from Monday 27 February.CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann highlighted the CUP grants in a video address.Head of Campus at CSU in Bathurst, Associate Professor Chika Anyanwu, said, "The CUP grants are a practical expression of the University's support for and contribution to a range of organisations that enrich our regional communities."The goal of the program is to support the development of our regions through contributions to cultural, economic, sporting and related activities and build higher education aspiration and awareness particularly among young people in rural and regional communities."I encourage all relevant and interested groups to consider applying and submit an application."The 2017 CUP grant categories available from Monday 27 February are CUP Head of Campus Small Grants Program, and CUP Rural and Regional Arts and Culture Program. Subsequently, the CUP Rural and Regional Education Development Program opens on Monday 3 April; the CUP Rural and Regional Indigenous Community Engagement Program opens on Monday 1 May; and the CUP Rural and Regional Sports Development Program has two opening dates – 'Summer' on Monday 1 May, and 'Winter' on 4 September.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) has made a $4 000 Community-University Partnership (CUP) grant to the Cathedral of St Michael and St John Restoration Committee in Bathurst.Head of Campus at CSU in Bathurst, Associate Professor Chika Anyanwu, said, "The preservation of our regional cultural and historical heritage is part of our Community-University Partnership goals."We are proud to make a little contribution towards the restoration of the Cathedral, which is the second oldest Catholic Cathedral in continuous use in Australia."On another level, the participation of CSU Engineering students on the project is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in a project which teaches them how to work around engineering challenges, which by the nature of its heritage status, demands solutions around complex problems with limited flexibility."Chairman of the Cathedral of St Michael and St John Restoration Project Committee, Mr Phil Burgett, said the CUP grant is a tangible sign of the University's desire to be involved in the restoration of the Cathedral and its commitment to the city of Bathurst."The CSU CUP Community Grants Programme grant provides a valuable and timely contribution to the costs associated with landscaping works and proposed changes to the interior of the Cathedral to solve the factors contributing to the deterioration of the building," he said.In 2016 the Cathedral of St Michael and St John Restoration Committee developed concept plans for the next major phases of the restoration project.This included a series of consultation meetings with parishioners and stakeholder groups, to brief them on the plans and formally survey the level of satisfaction in their observations and feedback.The outcomes included a high level of engagement and satisfaction with the proposals and provided valuable ideas for further refinement.Mr Burgett said the association with the University through the CUP grants program has fostered an exciting dialogue with CSU's Engineering program."This will hopefully see Charles Sturt University student engineers undertaking project work on the Cathedral as a component of their studies to provide innovative design and construction solutions to the challenges of restoring the Cathedral," Mr Burgett said."This aims to advance a practical and constructive relationship between the University and the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst."Applications for CUP rural and regional arts grants and the Head of Campus small grants opens on Monday 27 February. Further information about CUP is available here.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga will launch its Community University Partnerships (CUP) program on Friday 24 February with thousands of dollars available to support local organisations and groups.CSU Director of Government and Community Relations Mr Peter Fraser said the CUP grants are an example of how the University is fostering the development of vibrant regional communities."This year's CUP program will support Indigenous, arts, educational and sporting activities in regional NSW through direct grants from Charles Sturt University totalling $100 000," Mr Fraser said."We want young people in the Riverina to aspire to higher education and to be aware of the opportunities in their own local region."Charles Sturt University is proud to be able to support projects that can make a real difference in our community and we've seen in the past that some of these small projects grow to have far-reaching effects."In 2016, CSU provided 103 CUP grants across all its regions.In the Riverina projects included the creation of a dry riverbed garden at a pre-school, providing uniforms and training for a rugby league group and new equipment for schools.CUP funding applications for the Arts opens on Monday 27 February. Further information about CUP is available here.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo will host a morning tea on Friday 24 February to launch the CSU Community-University Partnership (CUP) grants for 2017 and hear from three organisations that received grants last year.Head of Campus at CSU in Dubbo Ms Cathy Maginnis said the University distributed eight $1 000 grants to organisations in Dubbo and the region in 2016.Applications for grants in two categories in 2017 open on Monday 27 February, with other categories opening later in the year."We've invited the successful 2016 recipients back and have asked them to give a two-minute presentation describing their projects," Ms Maginnis said."It's always wonderful to hear about how the organisations advance their projects and to know that Charles Sturt University is contributing to the practical advancement of organisations and endeavours within the city and the wider region. I look forward to meeting and speaking with the representatives of these groups."The organisations include Marathon Health / Headspace Dubbo, and Wee Waa High School, both awarded CUP grants under the Rural and Regional Arts and Culture Development Program, andDubbo and District Pre-school, which was awarded a grant under the Rural and Regional Education Development Program.The Administrator of Dubbo Regional Council, Mr Michael Kneipp, and Council's Director of Community Services, Mr David Dwyer, will also attend the morning tea.The morning tea is at 10.30am Friday 24 February in the Multipurpose Hall (building 920) at CSU, Tony McGrane Place, Dubbo.Other groups to receive CSU CUP grants in 2016 include the Dubbo Koori Interagency Network; Peak Hill Preschool Kindergarten; Condobolin High School; Condobolin Preschool; and PCYC Dubbo.The 2017 CUP grant categories opening on Monday 27 February are CUP Head of Campus Small Grants Program, and CUP Rural and Regional Arts and Culture Program.Subsequently, the CUP Rural and Regional Education Development Program opens on Monday 3 April; the CUP Rural and Regional Indigenous Community Engagement Program opens on Monday 1 May; and the CUP Rural and Regional Sports Development Program has two opening dates – 'Summer' on Monday 1 May, and 'Winter' on 4 September.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga will welcome more than new 400 students next week with a range of academic and social activities to help them settle into life at CSU.Orientation Week will kick off from Monday 20 February with some courses providing a 'laid back' start for new students. These include Olympic-style activities between 11am and 1pm for new students in the School of Environmental Sciences at the Albury Wodonga Yacht Club, off Old Weir Road, near Kangaroo Point on Lake Hume.Tuesday, 21 February is a big day in Albury-Wodonga, starting with pomp and circumstance, complete with a procession of staff in academic gowns, during two official Commencement Ceremonies in the University's CD Blake Theatre, starting at 10am and 11am.During and after the Commencement Ceremonies, a colourful Market Day runs from 10.30am to 2pm on Tuesday 21 February, under the gum trees near the Teaching and Learning Hub.Other O Week highlights include academic sessions, library and laboratory tours, along with social events such as BBQs, quizzes and live music. This year, O Week student leaders will stand out as they are dressed in pink to help raise awareness of and money for the McGrath Foundation.Students will move into their accommodation at CSU in Albury-Wodonga from 12.30pm on Saturday 18 February.Classes for all new and continuing students start on campus from Monday 27 February.Across the University more than 8 700 students will begin studying at CSU in 2017, 2 800 of those on-campus and nearly 6 000 through CSU online.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Port Macquarie will welcome more than new 400 students next week with a range of academic and social activities to help them settle into university life.Orientation Week will kick off with an official Commencement Ceremony at 10am on Monday 20 February in Room 2064/5.The Ceremony will be followed by a colourful Market Day from 11am on Monday 20 February in the central campus courtyard.Other O Week highlights include academic sessions, library and laboratory tours, along with social events such as Learn to Surf lessons, trivia nights and BBQs. O Week student leaders are raising money for the McGrath Foundation in 2017 and will be dressed in pink.Lectures and tutorials for all new and continuing students starts at CSU from Monday 27 February.Across the University more than 8 700 students will begin studying at CSU in 2017, 2 800 of those on-campus and nearly 6 000 through CSU online.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is hosting a series of free information sessions in 2017 designed for parents and carers of high school students in regional NSW.  The Information Nights will provide a one-stop-shop for parents interested in finding out university study options for their children in the years ahead.They'll be held from 5.30pm to 7.30pm at the Commercial Club Albury on Tuesday 21 February, in Orange Ex-Services Club on Wednesday 22 February, Bathurst Panthers and Wagga Wagga Commercial Club on Thursday 23 February.Further sessions will be held later in the year in Dubbo, Port Macquarie, Wangaratta, Parkes, Lithgow and Mudgee..Parents will be able to meet with Student Advisors, ask questions about study options, the many pathways into university, the help available for higher education costs and the benefits of university study.The Information Nights will also provide details of what parents can expect during Year 12.The Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will also be present at a number of these events to discuss the UAC admissions process.Register here for one of the Parent Information Sessions or to find out more information.A CSU Parent Information booklet to help with the transition to CSU is also available here.  Further information about studying at CSU is available on the CSU Future Students Facebook page.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga will welcome more than new 850 students next week with a range of academic and social activities to help them settle into university life.Orientation Week will kick off with some pomp and circumstance during an official Commencement Ceremony at 10am on Monday 20 February at Joyes Hall.Following a procession of staff in academic gowns and an official welcome to CSU, continuing students will pass on a symbol of learning to a new student from each of CSU's three faculties.The ceremony will be followed by a colourful Market Day from 11am, under the gum trees near Joyes Hall.Other O Week highlights include academic sessions, library and laboratory tours, along with social events such as BBQs and live bands. O Week student leaders are raising money for the McGrath Foundation in 2017 and will be dressed in pink.Students will move into their accommodation at CSU in Wagga Wagga from 12.30pm on Saturday 18 February.Classes for all new and continuing students start on campus from Monday 27 February.Across the University more than 8 700 students will begin studying at CSU in 2017, 2 800 of those on-campus and nearly 6 000 through CSU online.