Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga is hosting two European research students keen to develop their skills and soak up some Australian culture. Mr Fabien Fabrègue from France and Ms Anne Voigt from Germany are spending time at CSU's School of Community Health under the guidance of diabetes researcher Dr Herbert Jelinek.  It was the chance to be part of cutting-edge research that attracted Mr Fabrègue to CSU. "The project I'm involved with is investigating whether a relationship exists between cognitive decline, inflammation and the role of diabetes. Dr Jelinek's research is at the leading edge and he's given me a lot of responsibility and autonomy in the internship." Ms Voigt is examining biomarkers in the blood, which can be used to identify if a patient has an increased risk of diabetes. "An internship abroad not only gives students the opportunity to immerse themselves in a new culture, but more importantly into a new laboratory culture," she said. "Methods and ways of devising the experiments differ greatly between countries and it is always better to be aware of many alternatives when presented with a new scientific problem."  Dr Jelinek said hosting international students provides a platform for CSU to engage with other universities. "Having international students provides the University with an opportunity to advertise its mission and research output as an important institution nationally and internationally," he said. "As the students move on, some end up in academia or industry and take their experience they gained at Charles Sturt University with them".

There's a bounce in the step of local squash players with the newly refurbished courts at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga set to re-open tonight. The Rowlinson Squash Courts has been undergoing a $120,000 makeover to improve playability and longevity of the facility for students and the wider Wagga Wagga community. Wagga Wagga Squash Club members will resume their 2015 season tonight after formalising an agreement with CSU for use of the facility four nights a week. The partnership will continue until the end of the year. CSU Division of Facilities Management Executive Director Mr Stephen Butt said it's a model being considered as part of a review of the University's sport and recreation facilities at all campuses.  "Charles Sturt University is looking to maximise the benefit of our sporting and recreation facilities for staff, students and our broader communities. A major part of the review will be to investigate if there are opportunities to assist community-based sporting clubs, or other community groups, through using, or leasing, our facilities."  The refurbished courts will also be used during the 2015 Eastern University Games, hosted by CSU from July 5 to July 9. External parties interested in using CSU sport and recreation facilities should contact Mr Lee Mottee lmottee@csu.edu.au in Wagga or Mr Nik Granger ngranger@csu.edu.au for the other CSU locations.

Aboriginal girls from high schools in Albury-Wodonga and Wagga Wagga are getting a taste of university life during a three-day camp at Charles Sturt University (CSU) this week. Sixteen students from Years 7 to 10 are taking part in the second Aboriginal Career Links Camp at CSU in Albury-Wodonga from Tuesday 23 June to Thursday 25 June. Organised by the University's Future Moves program, the teenagers are exploring the university campus, attending workshops about Aboriginal women and culture, speech pathology and environmental sciences. A theatre workshop will be held from 10am to 2pm on Thursday 25 June to enable the students to explore the camp's theme, My Creative Spirit. The inaugural camp was held last year. Read more in CSU News here. Future Moves aims to encourage school students to think about their career options and how university might be part of their future.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga will host a MyDay today, Tuesday 23 June, for senior high school students interested to learn about communication and creative industries courses. CSU prospective student adviser Mr Andrew Connell said the MyDay will showcase courses offered by the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries. "The aim of MyDay is let students know about the great courses that can lead to a range of interesting and rewarding careers once they get a Bachelor's degree," Mr Connell said. "It is essential that regional students hear about the opportunities in creative and communication-related employment so they can make informed choices about their future. MyDay gives students a taste of living and learning on campus, and provides useful information about courses and study options. Students also receive information about opportunities and support available, and about how to achieve their goals." The university expects approximately 22 students to attend from 11 local and regional high schools: Kildare Catholic College, Kooringal High School, Macarthur Anglican School, Mackillop College, Mater Dei Catholic College, Murray High School, St Francis De Sales Regional College, St Mary Mackillop College, the Riverina Anglican College, West Wyalong High School, and Wodonga Senior Secondary College.

Approximately 120 primary school students from Parkes and Wellington will experience university life at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange on Wednesday 24 June. The Year 6 students from Parkes Christian School, Parkes East Public School, Parkes Public School, and Wellington Public School will participate in a selection of fun and interactive workshops as part of a 'Check It Out' day to give them an authentic first-hand university experience. CSU Future Moves program coordinator Mr Ben Morris said, "By introducing young people to the world of university study, students are encouraged through a positive experience to become more engaged in school studies and more confident in considering tertiary study as a realistic post-school option." Students will participate in two hands-on faculty-based activities, then explore the library, tour the campus and its facilities, and enjoy lunch in the student dining hall. They will end the day by donning mortar boards for a mock graduation which will include a special presentation by a Future Moves leader or CSU academic. The Check It Out days are part of CSU's Future Moves program, which has been developed to encourage aspiration for higher education among students in rural and remote NSW and Victoria. Future Moves is a federally-funded initiative, run through Charles Sturt University and aligned with the Australian Blueprint for Career Development.

More than 340 high school students and 20 science teachers will visit Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga on Friday 19 June for a HSC Science Study Day. Information sessions will be held throughout the day from 9.30am to 2.45pm on preparing and performing in the HSC exams for biology, physics, chemistry and senior science. The event is being organised by the Albury and District Teachers Association to allow rural and remote science students to gain some of the insights that can improve their results in various HSC science courses. Academics from the University's School of Environmental Sciences will give the HSC students an overview of science programs offered by CSU. Senior lecturer in ecology Dr Paul Humphries will also talk to the students about his research on river-related palaeoecology and archaeology during the same session from 12.55pm until 1.25pm in the CD Blake Lecture Theatre, building 751, near car park 2, CSU in Thurgoona.

International students at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga will have the opportunity to learn more about their rights in Australian workplaces during an information session on Friday 19 June. The event is being organised by the University's International Student Club. A number of speakers will address the session including a University Career Development Officer and the Skilled Migration Officer with Regional Development Australia Riverina. Representatives of NSW Police Force, the NSW Ombudsman and Toastmasters International will attend the event as well along with the Deputy Mayor of Wagga Wagga City Council Mr Dallas Tout. President of the University's International Student Club and PhD student Ms Saba Nabi said, "This is an opportunity for students to socialise at the same time as getting to know their rights and privileges while they are studying and working in Australia." The free information session will be held from 3pm to 5pm in room 278-281 in Learning Commons (building 13), near car park 7, Nathan Cobb Drive, CSU in Wagga Wagga.

Approximately 600 high school students from across the Riverina will meet at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga on Friday 19 June for the annual HSC English Study Day. Thirty-four lectures, workshops, and discussion panels will be presented on texts and topics being studied by Standard and Advanced English students for the 2015 HSC. Mr David Gilbey, adjunct senior lecturer in English in the CSU School of Humanities and Social Sciences and the coordinator of the HSC English Study Day, said the day's focus will include poetry, prose, drama, film, techniques, writing skills, and exam tips. "There is always a buzz of excitement and fun to the HSC English Study Day," Mr Gilbey said. "The sessions will run from 9.30am to 2.20pm and will be presented mostly by teachers of English from regional high schools and academics from CSU's School of Humanities and Social Sciences. The students are grateful to get another perspective on the work they're concentrating on for the HSC, and for teachers it's a professional development occasion." Students and teachers will come from as far as Tumut, Yass, Yanco, Leeton, Junee, Culcairn, Gundagai and Temora. The HSC English Study Day is organised by the Wagga Wagga Branch of the English Teachers Association, in association with CSU's School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Cyclists are being recruited for Charles Sturt University (CSU) research examining how the brain works during exercise. PhD students Ms Nicole Vargas and Ms Caroline Robertson from CSU's School of Human Movement Studies in Bathurst are looking for cyclists aged between 18 and 60, who train for a minimum of two hours per week, to take part in two separate research trials. Ms Robertson's research aims to identify the part of the brain involved in helping a cyclist complete a time trial by regulating pace.  Ms Vargas is investigating how the muscles and organs communicate with the brain to let it know what is happening at any given time during exercise. "It is important to understand how changes in the blood during stress, like that experienced during exercise or disease, can send signals to, and alter the brain," said Ms Vargas. "Researching the different ways that our brain interprets these signals and how to manipulate them could potentially benefit athletes and people suffering disease." The research will take place from now until September and cyclists interested in participating can email Ms Vargas and Ms Robertson.