The importance of engaging students in their first year of higher education is the focus of a forum at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga this week that has attracted staff from across the institution. The experience of first year undergraduate students has been identified as a priority for the University as part of the new Transition Project, which supports a Federal government priority to increase participation in tertiary education. “We want to increase the participation of students from various backgrounds including Indigenous students and those from rural and regional Australia,” Transition Project Director Ms Liz Smith said. “We must ensure that our students are successful and autonomous adult learners by the start of their second year of study.” The Student Engagement Forum started today, Monday 20 September and continues until 12.30pm on Tuesday 21 September at the Convention Centre at CSU in Wagga Wagga.

The Sturt Desert Pea, which is the Charles Sturt University (CSU) floral emblem, is alive and thriving. “Remarkable photos of the Sturt Desert Pea were captured recently at White Cliffs by Mr Jacob Philip, son of a fellow educator, Ms Julie Philip, from western NSW,” said Dr John Harper, senior lecturer in plant science at the CSU School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences. “The desert has not bloomed like this for many years. It is a clear sign that the drought has finally broken.” The native plant, known as Swainsona formosa, takes pride of place on the CSU Arms reflecting the University's reputation as a national institution. The Pea was named after the explorer Charles Sturt for his exploration of inland Australia. The Aboriginal name for the pea is Ngooringa. It is based on a story about a girl who fell in love with someone from another tribe and, as a consequence, she became ill and died. Her spirit came back as the beautiful desert flower.

It’s not hard to see why Mr Lachlan Harris was recently appointed student president of the Student Representative Council at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo. He may only be 19 and in his first year of study, but this local Dubbo resident is passionate about his work, his study and his home town. While studying a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) degree, Mr Harris manages to hold two jobs and attend meetings in his role as student president. “The Student Representative Council at Charles Sturt University is keen to increase students’ interaction with the Dubbo community and we’re looking at how we can get more involved,” Mr Harris said. Having moved to Dubbo in primary school, Mr Harris is now a piano teacher at Macquarie Conservatorium, and through his teaching discovered his interest in educating young people. “I find it more enjoyable to teach children who haven’t learnt piano before and I’d like to pursue teaching as a career. I’m fortunate that Dubbo has a Charles Sturt University campus where I can study and still keep my friends and family close. I have a great job and a future here, so I’m stoked.”

Fresh air and the country lifestyle are thought to be factors in gaining the upper hand at the Roland Bryant Cup, the inaugural sporting event held in Sydney last week between first and second year dentistry students from Charles Sturt University (CSU) and the University of Sydney. “Charles Sturt University won the touch football and University of Sydney won the netball. It came down to Charles Sturt University winning the basketball by one point,” said Dr Sabrina Manickam, senior lecturer at the CSU School of Dentistry and Health Sciences in Orange. “The students were very excited by their win and it was great to see how very proud they all are to belong to Charles Sturt University in Orange.” Student Mr Adam Barrett said, “The win has made Charles Sturt University dentistry students determined to hold the trophy. We’ll have to be prepared next year because Sydney Uni will be keen to beat us.”

An international authority on the impact of water scarcity on root growth will visit Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga from Monday 27 to Thursday 30 September. Professor Bob Sharp from the University of Missouri in the USA has been invited to the city by Strategic Research Professor at CSU, Len Wade. “Professor Sharp and I are collaborating on an international project examining drought avoidance root traits,” Professor Wade said. “This work is significant given the need for food security and the limits on arable land available for agricultural production.” While at CSU, Professor Sharp will take part in The EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation’s seminar series at 3.00pm on Wednesday 29 September. His seminar, Root growth under water deficit: physiological complexity and coordination, will appeal to a diverse audience with interests in crop or pasture improvement under drought, and implications for improved management in rain-fed systems. Read more about the free EH Graham Centre seminar here.

A big line-up of bands and music will feature at the Charles Sturt University (CSU) 2010 Village Fair in Bathurst on Saturday 25 September. Village Fair organiser, Mr Joel Begnell, said, “This is the 36th consecutive annual Village Fair music festival and we think it has the biggest and most exciting line-up to date. It blends a carefully chosen mix of dance, indie, rock and electronica acts, with electro-pop favourites Miami Horror headlining the event. With capacity for only a relatively small audience and three stages - one dedicated solely to the DJ acts, the other two dedicated to live bands - the Village Fair is truly one of the most intimate and friendly festivals you could attend. Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of attending a CSU Village Fair can tell you that life does not get much better than watching the sunset over Mount Panorama while listening to some of Australia’s best live music.” The event is staged at the foot of Australia’s iconic Mount Panorama in Bathurst, and features some hot acts including Yves Klein Blue, The Only, Beni, The Melodics and Hey Now. There will also be two of this year’s Triple J Unearthed success stories so far, TreeBoi + Kone and Bloody Lovely Audrey.

The Evocities campaign which aims to encourage Sydney residents to live, work and invest in one of NSW’s seven Evocities, will be launched in Orange, Albury-Wodonga and Wagga Wagga on Friday 24 September. Charles Sturt University (CSU), as a corporate sponsor, is excited about the opportunities this collaborative project will provide. Evocities is a major marketing and public relations campaign funded by the Australian Government and the participating councils, and is supported by the NSW government and corporate sponsors, including CSU. “Research already undertaken indicates that more than 30 per cent of the Sydney population has considered a move to one of the seven Evocities,” said Professor Kevin Parton, Head of Campus at CSU in Orange. “Charles Sturt University is based in five of the seven cities represented, so we are in a great position to support this campaign.”

National and international water experts have discussed emerging issues and policies for sustainable management of water resources and food security at a seminar at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Wagga Wagga today, Tuesday 21 September. The International Centre of Water for Food Security (IC Water) at CSU hosted the seminar which investigated the future of water resources in Australia and across the world. As part of the Centre’s monthly seminar series, Associate Professor Joachim Ribbe, the head of the Department of Biological and Physical Sciences at the University of Southern Queensland, spoke at the seminar, titled Rainfall in a Variable and Changing Climate, to encourage discussion about water management. Representatives from IC Water, CSU, and irrigation companies attended the seminar.

The organisers of this year’s Village Fair at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst are staging Kids Day Out for families with small children on Saturday morning 25 September. “Kids Day Out is a free event held on the Charles Sturt University rugby oval for small children and their families on the morning of the Village Fair,” said Ms Alex Leis, a CSU Student Support Officer. “This year we have a baby animal farm, a fire truck and ambulance on display, plus jumping castles, stalls, face painting and the opportunity to meet Dora the Explorer and her cousin Diego.” The jumping castles and face painting are a gold coin donation, with all proceeds from the day, and a donation from the Village Fair committee, going to the Bathurst branch of Riding for the Disabled. The event runs from 10am to 1pm.