A new program for the collection and treatment of organic waste at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange is well underway in 2016.CSU Green spokesperson Ms Alesha Elbourne said the 'CSU Organics' initiative will be extended by a staged approach at each CSU campus as suitable local infrastructure is established."This roll-out is more than a trial, as compost collection has been trialled by the University in the past and CSU Green sees a significant need to establish a distinct permanent organic waste collection service," Ms Elbourne said. "Composting organics diverts 58 per cent of waste from landfill and helps to reduce the production of greenhouse gases."Ms Elbourne said CSU Organics is taking advantage of the opportunity provided by the food and garden waste green bin service established by Orange City Council."The University can have the organic waste in the twenty 240-litre organic waste bins collected weekly and processed off-site," Ms Elbourne said. "Organics caddies were installed in staff kitchens in Orange in November 2015, and the students' residences and Banjo's Cafe were set up in time for the start of O Week 2016. The organics waste bins can be filled to no more than half capacity (120 litres) to remain manageable for the waste collection service."CSU Green plans to establish CSU Organics at CSU in Bathurst over the next year as Bathurst Regional Council brings in its similar organic waste service.For more information about CSU Organics visit the CSU Green website homepage http://www.csu.edu.au/csugreen/csu-green-home

A new bioscience park at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange will be officially opened by the Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann at 10am on Tuesday 15 March.The Girinyalanha Aboriginal Nature and Bioscience Park at CSU in Orange is the result of planning and cooperation between the University and the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council.Short talks on the cultural significance of Girinyalanha, Aboriginal dancers, bush food, poster presentations and photos will contribute to the occasion. Members of the Park Steering Committee will be on hand to answer questions about this wonderful new development on the campus. Morning tea will follow the official opening.

A collection of poems by a Charles Sturt University (CSU) education graduate to be launched this week provides a glimpse of life, journey and death in regional Australia. Ghostology, an anthology of works from 1990 to 2009 by Mr Craig Dent, showcases poetry and photography from Mr Dent's residencies, publications, exhibitions and music projects, with several funded by the Australia Council.The book will be officially launched at CSU in Albury-Wodonga on Thursday 10 March by the Head of Campus, Ms Julie Cleary. It will be available in print and in electronic-book format at the launch.During the opening, CSU education student Laura Vogel will perform a poem, 'Joy of a Million Suns', from Ghostology, which highlights a journey within family. The poem is dedicated to Mr Dent's sister and is based on their upbringing in Thurgoona which was a rural area before Albury grew to include the modern suburb of Thurgoona.Raised in Thurgoona, Mr Dent has worked in regional creative industries since 1990 in Albury, Dubbo, Southern Riverina and North East Victoria, as well as Canberra. He majored in English in his CSU teaching degree from which he graduated last year, and compiled Ghostology while completing his course.Mr Dent is now assisting high schools in the Southern Riverina and North East Victoria to provide advanced education in creative writing to their students. He uses Ghostology to inspire students to reach their greatest potentials in writing for their senior studies.

The future of speech pathology services in regional Australia is the discussion topic for a public forum to be hosted by Charles Sturt University (CSU) on Tuesday 8 March. Titled a ‘Conversation about the future of speech pathology’, panel members have been drawn from various domains of speech pathology practice in Albury-Wodonga including CSU, Albury Wodonga Health, disability services, and private practice. The forum is an opportunity for public discussion that will become part of the national Speech Pathology Australia project, ‘Speech Pathology 2030 – making futures happen’, which aims to guide the profession for the next 15 years. Event organiser Dr Chris Plant said the discussion aims to address the aspirations, dreams, concerns, and goals for the future of the speech pathology profession, and will include local clinicians and CSU students enrolled in the University’s speech pathology degree. To attend the event from 5.30 to 8pm at CSU in Albury-Wodonga, please register here.

Grants of up to $1,000 are now available to support regional arts and culture initiatives through Charles Sturt University's (CSU) Community-University Partnerships (CUP) Community Grants program.CSU's CUP Rural and Regional Arts and Culture Program is open for applications from Tuesday 1 March until Thursday 31 March 2016.The small grants program supports 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.Previous organisations and projects that have been recipients of a CSU CUP Rural and Regional Arts and Culture Program grant include primary schools hosting local artists, unique art exhibitions, development of art education kits, student film festivals, art and creative writing workshops, dance groups and a music for all school program.Registered community organisations may apply for a grant under this round. Applications should demonstrate how the activity will support student engagement with learning and further education. Estimated funding for the CUP Rural and Regional Arts and Culture Program is up to $25,000 across all CSU campus communities. Guidelines and the online application are available from the CSU website.

A touring event involving Charles Sturt University (CSU) scientific and engineering academics will challenge the scientific and engineering skills of around 1 000 school students across southern and central NSW in March. The national Science and Engineering Challenge, provides fun, hands-on activities for Year 10 high school students across Australia to consider studying science, engineering and mathematics at university. Organised in partnership with communities, Rotary clubs, universities and sponsors, four challenge days will include CSU scientists and engineers who will guide student teams in Bowral, Dubbo, Young and Wagga Wagga through a series of mathematical and scientific challenges. The day-long events highlight the importance and fun of science and engineering.  The Science and Engineering Challenge events will be held in Young on Tuesday 1 March, Wagga Wagga on Thursday 3 March, Dubbo on Monday 7 March, and Bowral on Tuesday 8 March.

A new Head of Campus has been appointed at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst.Mr Peter Fraser, Director of the CSU Office of Government and Community Relations, yesterday announced the appointment of Associate Professor Chika Anyanwu (pictured) as the new Head of Campus.Professor Anyanwu is currently the Head of the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries. He will step down from this role in April, and will thereafter hold the appointment of Head of Campus concurrently with his substantive position as Associate Professor of Media in the School."I congratulate Professor Anyanwu on his appointment and look forward to working with him in this role," Mr Fraser said. "His considerable experience, particularly in the fields of media and mass communication, and his networking skills, will benefit the University in extending and developing connections with the Bathurst community."Professor Anyanwu said it was a privilege to be appointed to the role of Head of Campus."As a University with the goal to build regional capacity, I want to promote the values embedded in the principle of 'Yindyamarra Winhanganha'; that is, 'the wisdom of respectfully knowing how to live well in a world worth living in'," Professor Anyanwu said."This is the philosophy at the heart of University's approach to education, and I will work in this role to build our local economies through knowledge creation and the development of creative and intellectual capital 'for the public good'."Mr Fraser also acknowledged and thanked former Head of Campus in Bathurst Professor Jo-Anne Reid for her leadership and work in progressing the University's engagement and community relations program in 2015.

Parasites and public health will be a key point of discussion when a Charles Sturt University (CSU) scientist meets federal politicians in Canberra next week.Senior lecturer in veterinary parasitology at CSU's School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Dr Shokoofeh Shamsi is one of 200 scientists invited to take part in the 15th annual Science Meets Parliament on Tuesday 1 March and Wednesday 2 March.The event aims to build links between scientists, politicians and policy makers to inform discussion on scientific issues that underpin Australia's economic, social and environmental well-being."I'm interested in parasites that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Therefore I'm aiming to highlight significance of research on parasites in terms of public health and the sustainable growth of Australian industries and food products," said Dr Shamsi."Regional universities, like Charles Sturt University, play an integral role in producing graduates with the skills to deal with such an important issue."Over the two-day event scientists will meet with Members of Parliament and take part in professional development to help them engage with the policy making process.Dr Shamsi has been nominated by the Australian Society of Parasitology to attend the event.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) will host its first MyDay events for 2016 at Bathurst and Wagga Wagga on Friday 26 February.The MyDay program aims to give the students a taste of 'living and learning' at CSU.In addition to some practical activities with academics in the University's laboratories, the school students receive information about particular degree programs as well as scholarships, pathways to study and details about international study opportunities through CSU Global. They also get an opportunity to meet and hear from current CSU students.In Bathurst, about 30 students from schools in the central west and Wagga Wagga will learn about studying a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Sciences.In Wagga Wagga, more than 80 high school students from throughout the Riverina as well as Canberra Girls Grammar, Karabar High School in Queanbeyan and Nowra Christian School will learn about three degrees – medical radiation science, medical science and nursing.The MyDay program runs from 10am until 2pm on Friday 26 February.