Recent graduates from the Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Biomedical Sciences at Bathurst, will return to the University on Tuesday 24 March to speak to nursing and paramedic students about career prospects and the value of their CSU studies. Senior lecturer and course coordinator, Ms Veronica Madigan, said, “This is the first time recent graduates from the School will speak to current third year students. These graduates have told me how they now realise the value of their CSU education and want to let third year students know of the job opportunities available in the health sector. They will talk about life after CSU, how they have found working full-time, and how the course has assisted their career progression and current occupations. They are very passionate about CSU and recognise that it is a great University.”

By staging its first myDay at Charles Sturt University (CSU) on Tuesday 24 March, the School of Communication at Bathurst  is wasting no time in attracting future students to its courses. Head of School, Associate Professor Rod McCulloch, said myDay is designed to give students from the region a taste of university life and the School of Communication by making CSU ‘their University for a day’. “We expect about 60 students from high schools in the Bathurst region will tour the University,” Professor McCulloch said. “Rather than just observe, they will engage in lectures, tutorials, workshops and other student activities. We aim to show potential students why the CSU School of Communication has such a strong reputation for consistently producing highly employable, work-ready graduates for a range of industry sectors, and why Charles Sturt University should be their first choice when applying to study.”

The Western Research Institute (WRI) at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Bathurst is celebrating 10 years of research that has charted and informed developments in rural and regional Australia. CSU Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Ian Goulter, complimented the organisation on this milestone, saying “WRI is celebrating its 10th birthday in the same year that Charles Sturt University is celebrating its 20th. WRI and CSU have worked together on many projects that have helped shape and paint a picture of inland Australia. On behalf of CSU, I congratulate WRI on this significant achievement and look forward to working with the organisation over the next 10 years.” WRI Director, Mr Tom Murphy, said that when the WRI was established in 1999 the aim was to provide timely and factual data about trends and developments in regional Australia and the organisation has exceeded that aim. See more CSU 20th anniversary events here.

Celebrating Australia’s cultural diversity is the goal for Harmony Day to be held at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Albury on Monday 23 March. With the theme of ‘everyone belongs’, event coordinator Ms Lynn Furze said the day is about community participation, inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone in the Albury community. The day will be opened by the acting Cultural and Education Attaché of the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra, Mr Yoni Utomo. Members of the Border community are invited to enjoy music, dance, food and entertainment from around the world, including a free barbeque. Harmony Day at CSU will run from 11am to 1pm at the barbeque area on the University’s Albury City site, off Olive St, Albury.

Lecturers at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Human Movement Studies have been contracted to provide strength and fitness coaching for elite Indonesian athletes. Dr Stephen Bird and Mr Ben Barrington-Higgs have received a new contract from the Indonesian government’s State Ministry of Youth and Sport Affairs, with Dr Bird leading the Indonesian National Top-Tier Athlete Program for 2009. “We are very excited by this development because this is the first time that the Indonesian government has run the Top-Tier Program,” Dr Bird said. “This program supports the top 300 athletes in 45 sports across the broad categories of combat, target, field and water. We have two physical preparation coaches in Indonesia who we oversee, and in April we will travel to Indonesia as part of preparations for the South-East Asian Games in December 2009.” Mr Barrington-Higgs is in charge of the coach and athlete education program.

Members of the Wiradjuri and wider Border community can share their memories of the late Wiradjuri elder, Pastor Cec Grant, at Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Albury-Wodonga on Friday 1 May. The life and work of Pastor Grant, or Wongamar, will be celebrated at the Annual Pastor Cec Grant Lecture, which will be presented by local CSU academic and Wiradjuri elder Yalmambirra. CSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Ross Chambers, said Pastor Grant made important contributions to Indigenous education at CSU. “The lecture will touch on Christianity and Indigenous culture and spirituality as a tribute to Pastor Grant and his vision,” Professor Chambers said. The evening event will commence with a barbeque at 5pm in front of the Nowik Lecture Theatres, then move into the main theatre for the lecture at 7pm. 

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Charles Sturt University (CSU) will recognise academic excellence among its graduating students and the wider community at Graduation in Orange on Friday 27 March. Included in the 154 graduates will be Mr Yann Guisard, Orange-based associate  lecturer at the CSU School of Agriculture and Wine Science, who will be awarded his PhD. “My studies have been challenging at times and I’ve really valued the support I received from lecturers while I completed my doctorate,” Mr Guisard said. The occasional address will be given by Professor Peter Carroll, who, for the past 35 years, has worked in academic, community and hospital pharmacy as well as in medical and marketing positions within the pharmaceutical industry. The ceremony will be opened by CSU Chancellor, Mr Lawrence Willett, AO.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Charles Sturt University (CSU) will recognise academic excellence among its graduating students and the wider community at Graduation in Dubbo on Wednesday 25 March. Included in the 102 graduates will be Dr Patricia Logan, Dubbo-based lecturer with the CSU School of Biomedical Science, who will be awarded her PhD. “I think finding the balance of time between work, study and family is always difficult, so graduation day is a day of pride for the students who have successfully completed their degree,” said Dr Logan, who will give the vote of thanks on behalf of all Dubbo graduates. As part of the University’s 20th Anniversary celebrations, the Dubbo student residences will be named in honour of people who were instrumental in the development of the Dubbo Campus. The naming ceremony will take place at a graduate luncheon to be held on the Dubbo Campus.

Education students and staff at Charles Sturt University (CSU) Ontario recently held the first annual CSU Coffee House and Variety Show, an opportunity to enjoy the company and talents of their peers while generating funds for a good cause. The United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton will be presented with a cheque for over $1 000 by Bachelor of Primary Education Studies students on Thursday 26 March at 12noon to support its invaluable contribution to the strength of the community and its citizens. Through the certification of primary and junior teachers, CSU shares a similar vision to that of the United Way – creating a strong, healthy and safe community for all. The Australian university has been operating in Ontario for the past five years and looks forward to welcoming its fifth intake of students this August.