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UWS: Open Canvas to Success
Inside: »» Open Day 2011 – all you need to know »» Finding art in the theory – the Ben Quilty success story »» Making beautiful music – introducing Jonathon Boulet »» Oarsome opportunity – preparing for the London Olympics.
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Be inspired and informed The University of Western Sydney invites you to join us at our Parramatta campus for UWS Open Day 2011 on Sunday 28 August. With more than fifty per cent of our students being the first in their family to attend university, Open Day may be the first time you step onto a university campus. Or, perhaps you may be returning to study, considering a career change, or exploring some of the different opportunities that a university education can provide. Whatever your reason for attending UWS Open Day, you can look forward to meeting academics who are not only leaders in their professional fields but who are also committed to preparing you for a successful career and an exciting future. You’ll also get a taste of our campus facilities and the multi-million dollar investment we have made to make them a great place to learn and grow. From stateof-the-art teaching spaces, modern and practical libraries, to cafes and retail stores – we’ve designed our campuses so that you can thrive socially and academically. Join us on Sunday 28 August for your opportunity to be both inspired and informed to make the right choice for your future.
Watch Live
If the Open Day presentation you wish to attend is full, or if you are not able to attend a particular session, you may be able to watch the session live on line. A number of the Open Day workshops will be streamed live online this year so you can access them as they happen, or watch them after Open Day. View at www.uws.edu.au/watchlive
Like a map of Parramatta campus?
To download a map of the Parramatta campus visit www.uws.edu.au/parramattacampus
UWS Open Day Whether you know exactly where you’re headed on your future career path, you have a couple of options to weigh up, or you’re still looking for some inspiration, the 2011 UWS Open Day can help put you on the right track. Designed to give you insights into what it’s like to study at UWS, Open Day will feature around 70 presentations from all of the schools and colleges across the University – you will be inspired by what’s on offer. For the first time this year, there will be a Research and Innovation Showcase, featuring groundbreaking research going on in the University’s Research Centres, including a cutting-edge robotics research display from MARCS Auditory Laboratories. Important for anyone considering postgraduate study, this display will also show prospective students the bigger picture of what UWS is all about. Academic staff are available for one-on-one consultations, so you can speak to someone who actually teaches the course you are interested in, to get the inside view. You can have a 15-minute, one-onone career consultation, and current UWS students will also be on hand to share how they are achieving their personal and professional goals, and what university life is really like.
Not sure which way to go?
Bachelor of Policing student Jessica Slaveski strongly recommends that interested students should jump in and enrol at UWS. “My advice would be to do it! The degree I’m doing introduced me to many important areas of law enforcement and the material remains stimulating at all times,’’ she says. “UWS appealed to me because it was local. I also heard great things about the course through other policing graduates who have already graduated from UWS. At Open Day I was also taken by the beautiful surroundings of the campus and I knew these would help reduce the pressures of studying.” She has also found her fellow students to be really friendly. “Before entering university I knew that there would be a great level of competitiveness among students. However I found throughout my studies that my peers only endeavoured to help each other out so that we could all do well together.”
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Your inspiration starts here The right advice
As well as course advice, at Open Day there will also be presentations on student support services, scholarships, student exchange opportunities and most importantly, how to navigate the admissions process and pathways available if you don’t get into the course of your choice straight away. Advisers will be available to give you all the information you need to make the right decisions about which course is right for you, as well as how to apply once you have made your choice, including the important dates you need to remember. If you are looking for information about what the University can do to assist students with disabilities, mature age students, and Indigenous students, you’ll find it at Open Day too.
Have some fun
Choosing a university course might be serious business, but there’s no reason you can’t have fun as well. Here are some more reasons to come along: »» Back by popular demand – go on a guided tour of the Female Orphan School, Australia’s oldest public building.
»» Stroll down Hawkesbury Lane, showcasing the amazing programs at the UWS Hawkesbury campus, including the Hawkesbury Forest Experiment. »» See Shell-shocked: Australia After Armistice – drawing on the rich collections of war service records, this touring exhibition from the National Archives of Australia explores Australia’s struggle with the lingering effects of World War I. Hosted by the Whitlam Institute at UWS, free entry for Open Day visitors. »» Get interactive – check out a working bee hive, do some food tasting, handle a snake, let some Medicine students plaster your arm, examine the forensics display (created in association with NSW Police), and see the outside broadcast van from the School of Communication Arts. »» Visit the Gathering Place, an Indigenous cultural display. »» Eat at one of the University’s many food outlets. »» Enjoy live music and entertainment all day, as well as face painting, temporary tattoos and a petting zoo for any young visitors who come along too.
2011 UWS Open Day will be held on Sunday 28 August, from 10am to 2pm at the UWS Parramatta campus. Visit www.uws.edu.au/openday to get more information and register for workshops, presentations and career counselling.
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Finding art in the theory Taking a unit in Women’s Studies during his degree at UWS had a profound impact on 2011 Archibald Prizewinning artist Ben Quilty.
“It became such an intense experience of learning about how sex and gender creates the society we live in, and really sparked for me an interest in making my work in a critical sense about my masculinity,” Ben says. Ben originally completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Painting) at the Sydney College of the Arts, but at the age of 26, decided he needed a more vocationally oriented degree under his belt, and saw the Bachelor of Visual Communication at UWS as a natural progression. While this degree was meant to help Ben get a job, it is funny to look back, he says, and see how much it has informed his art practice. As
a mature age student, he took the theory side of his work much more seriously than in his original degree. “I became really obsessed with modernity and Bauhaus theory, not just in my practice but also in my life.” Following graduation, Ben worked in television as an editor in news and current affairs. But the next year, he also won the Brett Whiteley Travelling Scholarship and headed off to Paris for an immersive experience. “It was incredible, amazing. It was the first time I had been able to concentrate 100 per cent on my arts practice,” Ben says. Since then, Ben’s work, which is primarily autobiographical, has appeared in dozens of group and solo exhibitions in Australia and overseas. Ben has won several major prizes during his career, including the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize in 2009, but says his Archibald Prize
For more information on the 2012 Bachelor of Communication degree at UWS visit myfuture.uws.edu.au
win this year, for his portrait of the late Margaret Olley AC, has certainly brought more media attention. “It also gives me a voice on things I feel strongly about in the community,” he says. Making a living as an artist today isn’t just about the painting – Ben says with so many demands on his time, he doesn’t get to spend as much time in the studio as he would like. Currently he is working
on pieces for a show as part of the Korean International Art Fair, which he squeezes in between Archibald-related events. But it’s all part of turning what was once a hobby into a career. “It’s about having the dedication and obsession to make art. From my experience, everyone I knew who had that dedication and desire are all making a living from what they do.”
It was the first time I had been able to concentrate 100 per cent on my arts practice
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Making beautiful music Jonathan Boulet leapt into the spotlight in the Australian indie music scene with the release of his self-titled debut album in December 2009.
The album was critically applauded and featured prominently on ABC’s Triple J – not bad considering it was recorded almost entirely in the garage of his Castle Hill home. Since then, Jonathan’s life has been a whirlwind of touring and playing gigs and festivals around the country. Now 23, Jonathan’s passion for music began early, learning to play drums at age 10 and later expanding his repertoire to other instruments. When he left high school, studying music at uni was a logical next step, and he chose a Bachelor of Music at UWS. “I met a lot of cool people – people I still play music with now,” he says. “Studying really exposed me to music that I wouldn’t have found otherwise. It was really good for opening your mind, considering different perspectives and putting some deeper thought into music.” While the degree gave Jonathan a grounding in the practical and professional aspects of music,
getting that all-important break in the Australian music scene was still tough. With a bit of luck and some online promotion of his music, he got noticed overseas first, then in Australia, which led to a global record deal with Modular Records. Happy with how his first album was received, Jonathan is now hard at work on the second – and this time, he hopes to make his mark in the US and Europe as well as Australia, with its release planned for early next year. “Until then, I’ll put out a single and play some more shows. Hopefully I’ll get overseas – I’m really excited to travel,” Jonathan says. As he brings more of his unique brand of music to fans, he also encourages other musicians to break new ground and “be original”. “It is something that is lacking in Australia, bands that are trying to find their own sound. But that is the only thing that anyone wants to see – something different and exciting that is going to push people ahead.”
Studying really exposed me to music that I wouldn’t have found otherwise. It was really good for opening your mind, considering different perspectives and putting some deeper thought into music
For more information on the 2012 Bachelor of Music degree at UWS visit myfuture.uws.edu.au
We are the champions Winners of the Australian university division of annual supply chain competition, The Fresh Connection. Check. First Australian undergraduate student team in the international finals. Check. Winner of the Fresh Connection Global Final in Amsterdam. Mission accomplished. In a three-month journey that began in the classrooms of the UWS Parramatta campus and ended in glory on the other side of the globe, the team of four UWS Supply Chain Management undergraduate students – Ali Leghaei, Markie Lugton, Kate Smith and Chris Fifita – proved to be the cream of the competition. This year international supply chain competition Fresh Connection attracted over 400
university teams from more than 20 countries, culminating in 12 teams reaching the finals in Amsterdam on June 24. But none came close to outclassing the UWS team, who dominated teams from UK, Germany, France, South Africa, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands and Hungary from the outset. The Aussies took the silverware with a return on investment of 28 per cent, more than 8 per cent ahead of the best of the rest. “These students are a credit to themselves and to the University,” said lecturer Stephen Waters. For more information on the Bachelor of Business and Commerce degree at UWS visit myfuture.uws.edu.au
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Support base Starting uni can be a stressful time. There are so many new places to navigate, people to meet, a new style of learning to come to grips with, as well as extra pressures if you need to move away from home. Thankfully UWS has plenty of support services available to help you get through the first year and beyond. To assist with getting the hang of university-level study, there are bridging courses, academic skills and numeracy workshops, to learn how to write those all-important essays, brush up your maths skills or fill in some of the gaps before you start a new course; and programs like Pit-Stop and Peer Assist Study Sessions, where you work with tutors or other students on specific unit and course content. If technology isn’t really your thing, there’s technical help on offer through IT services to help you get the most from the e-learning system, vUWS, as well as accessing your student records through MySR. Programs such as these help students settle into study and feel part of and connected to the University. And if you’ve got some personal or financial issues you’re struggling with, or are looking for accommodation near uni, you can ask for help from the University’s Counselling or Student Welfare Services. Students with disabilities can also access educational support, assistive technology and advocacy through the Disability Service, while the Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education not only provides a culturally safe place for Indigenous students at university but also has dedicated staff on hand to support them in all aspects of their studies. For more information on UWS support services visit myfuture.uws.edu.au
For more information on the Future Leaders Aspire at the University of Western SydneyTM program visit www.uws.edu.au/scholarships
Aspire to greatness Alicia Dunajcik and Scott Newton have the tools to take them to the top.
After all they are members of the Future Leaders Aspire at the University of Western SydneyTM program, the only one of its kind in Australia devised specifically to provide students with the foundations they need to become successful leaders. Aside from developing students’ skills in being effective and engaging members of their communities,
Alicia Dunajcik
the Aspire program provides opportunities for internships, work experience, volunteer work and networking, along with workshops on communication, business etiquette and presentation. Successful Aspire program applicants also receive a $50,000 Vice-Chancellor’s Leadership Scholarship or a $20,000 Academic Excellence Scholarship, allowing them to focus on their studies and continue their extra-curricular activities.
Aspire helps you progress and get the most out of what you’ve worked for
Alicia’s association with UWS began when she received the university’s Most Outstanding Year 11 Student award – but this was just the first in a run of accolades for this high achiever. During her final two years at Holsworthy High School, she was selected for the Student Representative Council, was voted School Captain, placed first in all her subjects, received two Academic Excellence awards, was selected as Public Education Ambassador for Holsworthy High School and finally was honoured as Dux of Year 12. Now an Aspire scholar at UWS, Alicia is currently studying a Bachelor of Psychology, with plans to complete a major in History and Political Thought. “Aspire is an amazing program,” Alicia says. “You are open to so many opportunities that you otherwise would not be able to participate in. Whether it’s workshops, networking events or volunteering, Aspire facilitates your progress and lets you get the most out of the position you’ve worked for. Through Aspire, I’ve met so many people who have accomplished amazing things, particularly for their age. Their passion and drive inspires me to aim for the same standard of achievement.” Alicia hopes to utilise the knowledge and skills she acquires at UWS to improve the lives of individuals who face adversity.
Scott Newton
Scott is never one who will be satisfied with mediocrity. A Most Outstanding Year 11 recipient and Aspire scholar, he is studying for a Bachelor of Communications degree. “At UWS you’re not just a number,” Scott says. “I can approach my lecturers and tutors at any time and they will call me by name and assist me for as long as is necessary. One night before an assignment was due I emailed my lecturer and got a friendly reply at 12:30 in the morning.” Scott says UWS lecturers and tutors recognise the fact that employers in the journalism, advertising and public relations space are looking for more than just university qualifications, as many have themselves come from the industry. “They will actively hand over contact details and forge connections with employers offering internships and volunteer experiences.” While he believes the Aspire program to be the ideal training ground for honing important study and communication skills in workshops, retreats and volunteer organisations, Scott says the Communications course is also designed to be manageable. “Threeday weeks allow me to combine uni with other important experiences in volunteer and paid work.” “Aspire helps you stay connected – with other students, with the community and with the business world,” he says.
Multicultural perspectives Born in Pakistan but raised as a child of the world, Ali Yaseen knows a thing or two about multiculturalism. His early years were spent in Qatar, followed by seven years in America, but for the past five years Ali has called Australia home. “I feel the constant change of environment has enriched my appreciation of different cultures,”
Ali says. “UWS provides a very multicultural environment, with many international students, which has helped in developing my understanding of even more cultures and sets of beliefs.” UWS provided Ali with financial assistance during Year 12, and now with the help of a Dean’s Scholarship worth $20,000, Ali is
currently completing his first year of a Bachelor of Business and Commerce (Advanced Business Leadership)/Bachelor of Law degree, with plans to become a corporate lawyer before moving into big business. “Apart from the high level of flexibility in the degree and the excellent teaching standards,
the UWS Aspire program refines leadership qualities, allowing its members to contribute to society at a higher level,” he added. In addition, the Future Leaders Aspire program at UWS has also provided Ali many mentoring sessions with highly recognised speakers.
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Oarsome opportunity Ethan “Hooson” Hodson dreams of becoming a world and Olympic Canoe slalom champion. He also aspires to be a sports marketing guru and is studying a Bachelor of Business and Commerce, majoring in marketing. Thanks to the culture of flexibility and support at UWS, he is on point to achieve both. “The University’s elite-athlete friendly policy provides young Australian athletes with the opportunity to have a career after sport and achieve both sporting and academic goals,” Ethan says. Currently overseas competing and training for the 2012 London Olympic Games, Ethan, an Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder, became the 2010 National C1 open ranking champion before representing the Australian under-23 team at the Merano Open in Italy this year, where he scored a silver medal.
As a UWS Gold Scholarship recipient, Ethan received $2000 through the UWS Connect program to assist him in his canoeing endeavours. “Financial support is imperative to many athletes that compete in Olympic sports, as most athletes struggle to make ends meet.” UWS also assisted Ethan through student welfare services that allow him to organise his studies and exams around his sporting commitments. “Every year I travel to Europe to train for and compete in World Cup and ranking races, and for the last three years UWS has made alternate exam arrangements to suit my schedule. This flexibility means I can both compete and manage my studies at a high level.” For more information on scholarships at UWS visit www.uws.edu.au/scholarships, email study@uws.edu.au or call 1300 897 669.
Living the dream
Tough rowing
Think your life is too busy? Try on Mark Webster’s skates for a season. The threetime World Figure Skating Championship representative has won the National Championships, placed 16th at the international ISU Four Continents Championships in China and 31st at the World Figure Skating Championships in Russia – and that’s just in the past season. A UWS Sport Scholarship recipient Mark is a former multiple NSW state title winner, double national silver medallist and also the first Australian in a long time to land a triple axel in international competition. “UWS has been extremely helpful with my studies, allowing me to balance my sporting commitments with my education while helping with financial assistance, free access to UWS gyms and special considerations regarding exams while I’m overseas for competition and training,” Mark says. In his third year of a Bachelor of Psychology course at UWS, Mark is also a qualified ice skating coach, who enjoys sharing his wealth of experience with others, in an effort to lift the sport’s profile.
Can you combine academic excellence and sport? Tom Laurich has. The Bachelor of Business undergraduate is a two-time Olympian, competing in the Australian men’s coxed eight at the 2008 Beijing Olympics where he placed sixth, and the men’s coxless four at the 2004 Athens Olympics where he placed fourth. Tom’s ascendancy to the heights of rowing on the global stage began with a Bronze medal at the 1998 World Junior Rowing Championships, before getting a taste of open international competition at the Lucerne Olympic qualifiers in 2000. A member of the prestigious Mosman Rowing Club, Tom is also a dual World Cup champion, taking the top spot on the dais in Poznan, Poland in 2006 and Munich, Germany in 2008. He has also won numerous medals in various sweep and sculling categories in
Due to injury as a result of constant training, Mark was forced to undergo hip surgery after the World Championships in May, but expects to be back on the ice in six to nine weeks. The immediate future involves training overseas and competing at a fourth World Championships, with his goal to represent Australia at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia firmly in his sights. “I have to pay for all my travel, training and competing expenses, with not much help from the ice skating association, and UWS has been extremely helpful in helping me achieve my goals and live my dream.” For more information on the 2012 Bachelor of Psychology degree at UWS visit myfuture.uws.edu.au
the nine world championship events he has competed in as a national team member for over a decade. Tom says UWS has made it possible to combine this stellar sporting career with tertiary study by providing a flexible, high quality study experience. “My sporting and work commitments have involved a lot of travel. However, this has never been an issue and I’ve always been able to maintain my busy sporting lifestyle while earning a reputable, highly regarded tertiary qualification,” Tom said. Majoring in Commerce, Tom has aspirations to become a property developer or a property research analyst when he completes his degree. For more information on the 2012 Bachelor of Business and Commerce degree at UWS visit myfuture.uws.edu.au
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Peruvian Summer “Ever since high school I had wanted to do an overseas volunteer trip,” says Melia Condon, currently entering her final semester of a Bachelor of Science (Advanced Science), majoring in Human Bioscience. “I ended up choosing Peru, as it was a place I had always wanted to visit and I had the opportunity to help the community through a medical placement.” Melia volunteered through International Volunteers Headquarters (IVHQ), and spent the year prior completing a Certificate 1 in Spanish on top of her university studies, in preparation for the six-week trip over the Christmas holidays. Volunteering in a local health clinic in the centre of Cusco, Melia alternated between various departments including Emergency and Obstetrics, along with shadowing one of the doctors on consultations and home visits. “You certainly come to understand that despite language or cultural barriers, we all feel much the same, are all affected by much the same things,” Melia added. “It also gives you an appreciation for going above simply ‘treating’ the patient – after all, if you can’t communicate through words or conversation, you need to communicate through other means.” Fortunate enough to receive the Vice-Chancellor’s Leadership Scholarship upon her entry into university, Melia says, “This was a godsend, as it allowed me to focus primarily on my studies without the added burden of working long hours to support myself.”
You certainly come to understand that despite language or cultural barriers, we all feel much the same, are all affected by much the same things
For more information on Scholarships at UWS visit www.uws.edu.au/ scholarships
We’re with the band Studying at UWS can lead to incredible outcomes, just ask student-musician Anthony Silvestrini. After starting out on the piano, Anthony taught himself how to play guitar and is now learning the ukelele. He also sings harmonies for The Trobes, who recently won the Blue Mountains Battle of the Bands competition and played at the annual UWS 2011 Final Sessions event at the Joan Sutherland Centre. “The Trobes are a five-piece pop/rock band with an acoustic guitar, alto saxophone and multiple harmonies,” says Anthony, who has already completed a Bachelor of Music and is currently studying a Master of Teaching to become a High School music teacher. “We walk the line that separates The Vines from Powderfinger, and Wilco from Rage Against the Machine.” “My instrument is my voice,” said fellow Trobes member Umit Hibbert, who is now in her final year of a Bachelor of Communications,
majoring in Public Relations. “It is a gift from God and I am so grateful to my parents who recognised, encouraged and nurtured my love for the performing arts from a young age.” After many years of training in musical theatre, Umit decided not to pursue it as a full time career, but it did lead her into other areas such as The Trobes and teaching in the Australian Arts Alive program and the Australian Girls Choir. “We play gigs and competitions all over Sydney,” Umit said. “It’s an honour to be surrounded by such great musicians, and it’s great to know there are so many out there!” The Trobes will be releasing their first CD ‘Lend Me Your EP’ September 4 at the Annandale Hotel, Sydney, with more recordings and gigs planned for the near future. Visit www.thetrobes.com For more information on Communication and Music courses at UWS visit myfuture.uws.edu.au
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Saving the world Most people their age view Thailand as merely a holiday destination but not Laura Achibald and Mersini Parianos.
These future leaders are two of the six successful UWS Bachelor of Business and Commerce (Advanced Business Leadership) students awarded a dream trip to Pattaya in Thailand this year for ‘The Power of Dreams’ symposium. Designed to provide the next generation of leaders with the knowledge and skills to initiate humanitarian services to third world countries, The University Scholars Leadership Symposium (USLS) program, which brings together 500 of the world’s most dynamic students,
UWS provides reallife leadership positions to enhance your career prospects has been billed as the largest and most inspirational gathering of its kind for young people to take place anywhere in the world in 2011. “Activists from around the world attend the conference in the
hope of formulating sustainable development projects to improve the living conditions of the poor,” said Mersini, who received a College of Business Advanced Business Leadership Achievement
Borneo to be wild Saving rainforests from deforestation and orangutans from extinction may sound like the perfect job for Greenpeace, but Ben Dessen doesn’t want to miss his chance. “I have always had a driving passion and interest in the natural world, in particular for all types of wildlife,” said Ben Dessen, currently studying for a Bachelor of Natural Science majoring in Animal Science at the idyllic UWS Hawkesbury campus. “At home I have a large menagerie of animals including many snakes, lizards, amphibians, insects and birds. I am involved in the rescue of many animals, which I care for through my
local volunteer wildlife organisation, Sydney Wildlife. I have also worked at Australia’s largest pet shop, Kellyville Pets, for four years, where I run educational courses on different types of reptiles and amphibians.” Ben’s fascination with flora and fauna served as a catalyst for a family holiday to Borneo in 2008, where he witnessed firsthand the environmental devastation of deforestation. “From that moment on, I knew that I had to do something to help the wildlife and people of Borneo.” Ben applied to be a part of the DeforestAction project, and was selected over hundreds of applicants
from 26 countries to travel to Borneo to help rescue and rehabilitate orangutans and other wildlife, replant an entire forest eco-system, confront illegal loggers and educate the world about these issues. Aspire student Ben and 15 other Project Leaders will head to Borneo for 20 days in September and a further 80 days from next February to implement the project, and will also feature in a 3D action movie, ‘Project Borneo 3D: 100 days in the Jungle’. For more information on the 2012 Bachelor of Natural Science degrees at UWS visit myfuture.uws.edu.au
Grant for outstanding academic performance in her first year. The symposium is just one example of how the ABL program provides students with an opportunity to step up their leadership skills while studying business. “UWS provides real-life leadership positions to enhance your career prospects on completion of your university studies,” said Laura, who is majoring in International Business. For more information on the 2012 Bachelor of Business and Commerce degrees at UWS visit myfuture.uws.edu.au
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Exchange rated Bachelor of Arts student Emily Dench and Bachelor of Science student Sandy Campbell are taking on the world this year through the UWS international exchange program. Emily will become the first-ever student on an International Exchange Program with the University College of Cork in Ireland, while Sandy will embark on complementary studies at the State University of Sacramento in California, USA. As a geochemistry major, Sandy is looking forward to being close to the seismic action – a factor in her choice of destination. “California is situated on the San Andreas fault line, a site of significant geological activity,” Sandy said. Aside from mediating the application process with the host university in California, UWS has granted Sandy a scholarship to aid in living costs while abroad, along with providing travel and medical insurance.
Scholarship recipient Emily also found the process of applying for the exchange through UWS quick and efficient, and is looking forward to her semester in Cork, which will count towards her degree. “I was planning on deferring my degree and travelling, but I came across this opportunity at a UWS market day and thought why not kill two birds with one stone?” she says. “I am taking 12 months off study after my exchange and backpacking Europe and the UK with my partner. “This exchange abroad will help me in my career as a primary school teacher after university. UWS is challenging me to step outside my comfort zone and I hope to learn from the experience.” For more information on UWS International Exchange visit www.uws.edu.au/international
Living a cyber life UWS academic Dr Anton Bogdanovych is pioneering uncharted territory in a master plan to become a world class expert in artificial intelligence for virtual worlds. “I believe that the future of the Internet is 3D, with traditional web pages being replaced by virtual worlds like Second Life, where users will interact with those worlds using their voice and bodies in a similar way to how they interact with the physical world,” he says. Dr Bogdanovych has embarked on a project to recreate humanity’s first urban jungle, the ancient city of Uruk from the period 3000BC, providing history students with a virtual insight into how it looked and the way its citizens behaved. He is even writing a book on the topic, and developing a subject module that he will teach at UWS. “UWS has given me the freedom to exercise my passion and conduct research in the topics of my preference without imposing any restrictions. I was supplied with the top of the line motion capture
equipment that I didn’t dare to dream about getting elsewhere.” The self-professed cybergeek, who also has a PhD from the University of Technology Sydney, says UWS is supporting and promoting his research with plans to commercialise it. For more information on Computing and Mathematics at UWS, visit myfuture.uws.edu.au
The future of the Internet is 3D
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Leadership on tour
Made the grade
Daniel Boulton’s ambition is to help millions of people improve their quality of life, prevent disease and manage injuries through the efficacy of exercise. In his final year of a Bachelor of Applied Science (Sport and Exercise Science), he won a trip to Fiji through the UWS-supported MyOE (My Overseas Experience) competition to pursue this aim. “MyOE is a company that assists skilled professionals wanting to work and live in the UK by helping establish accommodation, finances and careers,” Daniel says. “There are almost 50 participating universities from across Australia and New Zealand, with one student selected to represent their university internationally at a Winners Weekend in Fiji.” Following the Winners Weekend, students promote themselves and MyOE on Facebook, with the ultimate prize being a two-week trip to the UK with professional assistance in establishing working and living arrangements. Bachelor of Business and Commerce (Advanced Business
With a Diploma in Community Welfare from TAFE and a Bachelor of Health Science PDHPE degree from UWS already under his belt, Francis Vaiotu’s academic future looks rosy as he begins a Master of Teaching degree this semester. But his aspirations of becoming a physical education and drama teacher will have to wait, for Francis’s talents on the football paddock have the NRL knocking on his door. Competing for Cabramatta in the Bundaberg Red Cup from 20082010, Francis broke into the ranks of the NSW Cup with the Newtown Jets in 2011. But that was to be just the beginning of what is shaping up to be a stellar sporting career. “After a recent training session with Newtown, my coach told me that I would be training with the first grade side at 9am the following day,” Francis smiled. “When I got to the Roosters office the next morning, (coach) Brian Smith approached me and said that if Sam Perrett was unable to return from injury, I would be playing. Two days later it was confirmed,
Leadership)/Bachelor of Law student Edward Popa, also an Academic Excellence Scholarship recipient and an Aspire Scholar, has recently returned from a trip to Madrid, after being selected to attend the Talloires Network Leaders Conference as a student reporter. “The conference brought together university officials from around the world to discuss strategies that would further engage university students in their local and international communities,” Edward says. “I left the conference with a stronger social conscience and a desire to see what sort of change I could bring to my local community.” Edward, who intends to pursue Honours in law or business, said it was a surreal experience being sponsored to write about interesting topics such as university engagement and social justice issues. For more information on Scholarships at UWS, visit www.uws.edu.au/scholarships
and I made my debut in the NRL for the Roosters in round 15.” For a man who spent the previous two years working as the Roosters car park attendant, it was a dream come true. For more information on the 2012 Bachelor of Health Science degrees at UWS visit myfuture.uws.edu.au
Guitar hero For a guitar prodigy to select UWS over the Conservatorium of Music speaks volumes for the standard of the University’s music offering. “I chose to study at UWS because they offered the best music course for me,” says Bachelor of Music student Addison Grundy, who achieved a Distinction and two High Distinctions in his first semester. “I don’t really fit into one genre of music and I felt UWS had a broader, more contemporary syllabus that would allow me to explore a greater range of styles and influences than other universities, even the Conservatorium.” Scoring an ATAR of 91.7 to receive an Aspire Student Leadership Academic Excellence Scholarship worth $20,000, Addison is a star in the making, having already
been chosen to perform in ‘Encore’ at the prestigious Sydney Opera House. “I regard it as the greatest achievement of my life so far to be chosen out of thousands of students, and to be the first one ever selected from our school was a great honour and something that I dreamed about since Year 9,” Addison said. “My parents told me that a Year 10 music student who was there with our school said that my performance had inspired him to work hard and be the next one from our school to perform at Encore. I will never forget that, or that night.” For more information about studying the Bachelor of Music at UWS in 2012 visit myfuture.uws.edu.au
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Justice Clinic Imagine how daunting it would be to find yourself facing a magistrate in a courtroom, with no one to help you understand the legal jargon and state your case. It would be frightening to say the least. Now UWS is helping vulnerable people in western Sydney through the Parramatta Community Justice Clinic (PCJC), located at the Parramatta Local Court. The clinic sees practising solicitors offer free legal advice to western Sydney residents who cannot afford a solicitor. UWS students shadow the solicitors as they give advice on topics such as family law and immigration law, including humanitarian visas, temporary work visas, and reuniting families that have been separated – seeing how theory translates into practice. Legal issues for older people, neighbourhood disputes, traffic offences and minor criminal matters in the local court are among the issues dealt with by the PCJC, which also helps people prepare for court, so they know what to expect. By welcoming people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures, the PCJC provides students with the opportunity to gain experience at the ‘pointy end’ of practice before completing their degree and entering a law firm. But most importantly, it’s a way for students and UWS to give back to the community, and fulfill the University’s mission for social justice and equality.
For more information about studying Law at UWS visit myfuture.uws.edu.au
Rising through the ranks UWS graduates Racha Abboud and Anna Ford have both recently been appointed Associates at leading western Sydney law firm Coleman Greig Lawyers. The promotion marks the culmination of many years of hard work for these legal eagles, who are the first to move through the ranks to this level from the firm’s unique five-year cadetship program which both joined as fresh-faced first-year UWS Law students. Both have spent over a decade with Coleman Greig – Racha in the corporate and commercial team, where she has chosen to specialise in franchise law and act for a number of national franchisors, while Anna focuses on employment law as a member of the litigation and dispute resolution team. Not only did attending UWS make them eligible for the exclusive
The final frontier Although we can’t see it, outer space has already become an integral part of our everyday lives and the emergence of new space technologies, and even space tourism, will give rise to new legal issues. Professor Steven Freeland from UWS is one of the relatively few ‘space lawyers’ in the world. He is a director of the Paris-based International Institute of Space Law, and works closely with international bodies such as the United Nations. This year alone he has lectured
I don’t believe any other university has the closeknit relationship that UWS students have with their lecturers and supervisors cadetship program, but the practical approach and academic guidance offered by their degree was extremely helpful for them to hit the ground running. “I don’t believe any other university has the close-knit relationship that UWS students have with their lecturers and supervisors,” Racha says. Anna agrees, saying “I was given the opportunity to develop my advocacy and research skills, as well as my ability to apply legal principles
on various Space Law issues in Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, South Africa, Switzerland and the United States. Professor Freeland says a key issue is the threat presented by the potential for the ‘weaponisation’ and military use of space. Satellites are already used for functions such as spying and the directing of missiles, which can make them a potential target when countries are in conflict. “There is, unfortunately, an increasing likelihood that outer space may ultimately become a theatre of war,” Professor Freeland says. “As a result, the international community, through the United Nations, must work to find ways of avoiding a ‘space
to real-life case studies, from my first year of university – and those opportunities continued throughout the duration of my degree.” With the firm’s focus on providing tailored commercially focused advice, the rapidly growing number of businesses operating in western Sydney presents a huge opportunity for lawyers looking to lead in their field. “Coleman Greig aims to provide a real-life approach to problemsolving. Our clients want practical solutions and not just advice that means no more than the paper it is written on,” Racha says. Since being made Associates, Anna and Racha now have Principal appointments in their sights – and Racha also harbours aspirations to get back to academia … this time on the other side of the lectern.
arms race’ and the proliferation of space weapons technology.” Another area requiring regulation is space debris, which makes the use of space hazardous. “If you blow up a satellite, it may result in hundreds of additional pieces of debris, which will remain in orbit forever, unless it comes to Earth and burns through the atmosphere,” he says. “Travelling in orbit at 17,000km an hour, even a little speck of paint could cause catastrophic damage.” While there are already some wellestablished legal principles governing outer space, Professor Freeland hopes that further ground rules for the use of the final frontier can be agreed, to apply to the ever-increasing ways in which we utilise space technology.
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Support along the road
I want to help my people achieve the highest outcomes to create more opportunities for both Indigenous and nonIndigenous people
From uni to school Indigenous student Melissa Silva is already putting what she is learning in her Bachelor of Arts (Pathway to Teaching) degree into practice. A former Wyndham College student, Melissa combines her studies with working at the school as an Aboriginal Student Assistant. “I work with all the Aboriginal students as a form of support and tutoring for those who need help with assignments and class work. I liaise with students and teachers to ensure that both parties are happy, and aim for Aboriginal students achieving the same results as non-Indigenous students, if not better,” Melissa says.
“I chose to study teaching because I’ve always wanted to work with children and sport is my passion, so studying physical education combines both of these. I see the need for education within Aboriginal communities. I want to help my people achieve the highest outcomes to create more opportunities for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.” She has found her time at UWS “challenging and enjoyable” and says she would not have been so successful at uni if it wasn’t for the support of the Badanami Centre. “The first year at uni is the most difficult because you have to adapt to a heavier
workload and being able to manage your time is essential to keep on top of your studies. “All the staff here are so helpful, not just in university life but for life in general.” Melissa is looking forward to getting straight into a teaching position at the end of her degree, and her NSW DET scholarship guarantees her a permanent position in a public school. “I would love to work in Aboriginal communities and use my skills from my studies and my experience from working at Wyndham College to be the best teacher I can be.”
Indigenous doctoral student Jack Gibson has had a longer road to hoe at UWS than most. He joined the Aboriginal Rural Education Program at what was then the Macarthur Institute (now UWS Bankstown) in 1988, studying a Diploma of Teaching. Following further study, Jack is now on track to complete his Doctorate of Cultural Research in 2014 through the Centre for Cultural Research. He puts down his positive experiences at UWS to the strong backing of staff who have helped him achieve his goals along the way. “I have been offered a great deal of support as a student at UWS, especially from the Badanami Centre. The staff and my supervisory panel have done their utmost to support me,” he says. For Jack’s doctoral studies he is researching Aboriginal organisations. “In particular, I am interested in the conditions and specific circumstances in which Aboriginal organisations are constructed, and sometimes fail. In other words, what are the specific processes, power relationships and structures by which such organisations are legitimised,” Jack says. And while the finish line is still a way off, Jack has no doubt plenty of exciting career opportunities ahead of him – but not before he takes a breather. “Following the completion of my studies, I hope to have a well-earned rest!” Jack says. “Then I am thinking about going overseas for a couple of years to do some teaching.” For more information on Badanami and Indigenous studies at UWS contact the Course Information Centre on 1300 897 669 or visit http://studyias.com.au
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Intelligent fighter Degrees of separation Identical twins Clare and Amy Melville are so alike even their fellow students can’t tell them apart. They finish each other’s sentences, know what each other is thinking, and are the best of friends. They grew up studying the same subjects, playing the same sports, representing the same debating teams, associating with the same peer group. But although the sisters both aspire to become teachers, the time would inevitably come when they would study different subjects, on different campuses. It’s a change they have learned to embrace. “Me and my twin sister Clare are practically inseparable, but we always knew the day would come when we would be separated,” said Amy, who is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Arts/Master of Teaching (Pathway to Secondary) at the UWS Kingswood campus. “We both completed everything together, leadership opportunities and extra-curricular activities,” said Clare, who is studying for a Bachelor of Science (also Pathway to Secondary teaching) at UWS Parramatta. Clare plans to finish her degree and become a high school science teacher in biology and chemistry, hoping to move up the public school system ladder, especially in priority areas of NSW. “I would love to say I am going to change the world, but I guess education does change people’s lives.” Amy intends to become an English and History teacher at a NSW public school, and empower individuals just as her teachers did for her. “Through the Aspire Future Leaders Program, I hope to become more confident and become a mentor for the future generations.”
Muay-Thai kickboxing has provided Bachelor of Computing student Rio Leasa with the opportunity to train alongside and fight some of the best the sport has to offer, but it’s UWS that is furnishing him with a future outside the ring. “In the future I hope to become one of Australia’s top kickboxers, while learning a lot more about new technology and the basis of web design,” Rio says. An intense training regime consisting of a four-kilometre daily run, sprints once a week and sparring five days a week has netted Rio two wins and two losses from four amateur bouts to date, but he respects the fact it is critical to set himself up for an academic future once
his fists, feet, knees and elbows have finished doing the talking. “UWS is helping me prepare for a career after I have completed my degree. Through studying my course, I have been able
to relate the relevance of my uni work to the workforce.” For more information on Computing and ICT courses at UWS visit myfuture.uws.edu.au
Word pictures in Nepal Nestled in the foothills of the tallest mountains on Earth are the highland villages of Helambu. Just north of Kathmandu, Nepal, the region is a favourite for tourists drawn in by its pine forests, picturesque rivers and snow-capped mountains. UWS teaching graduate Adele De Vries will be in Helambu for three months from November, but she won’t be simply passing through. Instead, Adele will live in the community while she teaches English to elementary and high school children in local schools. It’s not just the students who will benefit. Using the skills acquired through her degree at UWS, Adele will also help Nepalese teachers develop their education programs. It’s a gift that will make a real difference in a country where more than two thirds of female adults and one third of male adults are illiterate. “A lot of people, both lecturers and students, that I met at UWS helped me so much during my degree, so I’d like to be able give something back,” Adele says. “Because my UWS degree is recognised internationally, it gives me a foot in the door for everything I want to do.”
For more information on Teaching courses at UWS visit myfuture.uws.edu.au
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Bringing art back to Afghanistan
Decades of war in Afghanistan has stifled the creative arts, particularly where female artists are concerned. UWS PhD candidate with the Centre of Educational Research, Annette Tzavaras, says while Afghanistan has a “very rich and colourful traditional history in the arts, a lot of it has been disconnected”. That’s something Annette is trying to change through initiatives between Australian and Afghani artists. In April this year Annette curated the first international art exhibition in Afghanistan since 2002, held in the country’s capital, Kabul. The exhibition, Catharsis: Tragedy and Restoration, consists of 47
works donated by contemporary Australian artists who hope to inspire Afghani female emerging artists and “rekindle the interest of Afghani women in the ancient arts and crafts”. Following the exhibition, the works will be auctioned in Sydney to raise money for an orphanage in Kabul. “A lot of women in particular haven’t been exposed to art because their lives have been fractured by the war,” Annette says. The tools of expression, even those as simple as paints and paper, also remain sparse in the war-torn country. But the message of aspiring female Afghani artists is positive: “They’re hopeful, they’re advocating peace.”
Three minutes of fame Could you explain highly complex concepts and years of research in just three minutes? The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is a university-wide research communication competition for higher degree (PhD and MPhil) students, assisting in the development of academic, presentation and research communication skills and encouraging students to consolidate their ideas and crystallise their research discoveries. With a Bachelor of Science degree (advanced and honours) in environmental science already under her belt, Aimee Bourne is currently undertaking a PhD in plant physiology, and has reached the finals with her thesis on the way diversity affects water use in the ecosystem. Also studying his doctorate through the School of Natural Sciences, Greg Whiteley will conduct his final thesis on hygiene in hospitals. “I am looking into new technologies to confirm cleaning and hygiene strategies have been successful and that the germs responsible for infection, illness and even death have been effectively removed,” Greg said.
Cherylea Browne’s finals presentation focuses on tinnitus, a condition affecting millions of people around the world. Her previous research, as part of her Honours degree in Medical Science, focused on SIDS, and she is currently undertaking her PhD in auditory neuroscience within the UWS School of Medicine. “The 3MT has encouraged me to describe my work in a way that is interesting and thought-provoking for an audience that may or may not have a scientific background,” Cherylea said. “As a result of stripping my research project down to its bare essentials and simplifying complex ideas as much as possible in an attempt to convey a large amount of data and scientific material in a short period of time, it is now much easier to discuss my research with people from all different walks of life. “This makes complicated and at times dry science all that much more accessible.” A video of each student’s presentation is available through the online version of this supplement at www.uws.edu.au
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Learning without borders
Studying a unit called ‘Classrooms Without Borders’ in her Bachelor of Arts degree gave Natalie Severino a unique opportunity to gain practical experience working with a community group. Her work with the Anglicare Young Carers Program involved tutoring young carers – invaluable preparation for her future career as a teacher. “From that, I was asked to do a radio interview for ABC Radio National as well as a TV interview for the 7:30 Report on the ABC,” Natalie said. “Not only were these all great experiences but they will also look good on my resume when I enter the teaching profession.” Now undertaking a Masters in Primary Teaching, Natalie chose
Cherylea Browne
UWS as she had heard great things about the University from friends who had studied there in the past. “If you have the opportunity in your studies to be a volunteer for a community-based program, do it!” Natalie says. “The help you may provide someone is an award in itself, and the exposure to working with different groups in the community will benefit prospective teachers in that it creates awareness and knowledge you may have never had before.”
For more information on Arts courses at UWS visit myfuture.uws.edu.au
Kokoda for Cancer Elie Hamman is committed to making a difference. For his PhD, the UWS student is investigating the functional and structural changes in the brain associated with congestive heart failure, one of the biggest killers of Australians. But he has also set his sights on another lethal disease – cancer. In what is perhaps an even greater challenge than doctoral studies, Elie and his team-mate Eamon, whose families have both been affected by cancer, have embarked on their mission to conquer the Kokoda trail in an effort to promote community awareness of the disease while raising $10,000 for the Cancer Council of Australia. “UWS instantly supported our cause and made available to us
further resources to help us achieve our goals,” Elie says. “We received exposure through internal and local media coverage, and were provided with facilities such as lecture theatres and stalls for fundraising purposes. Moreover, academic staff were extremely supportive of the initiative and generously sponsored us.” Elie, who has completed a Bachelor of Medical Science and Honours in Neurophysiology at UWS, plans to commit to a different, equally-arduous challenge every year in the name of cancer research. For more information on the Bachelor of Medical Science at UWS visit myfuture.uws.edu.au
Fighting the good fight Holly Priddis is a woman on a mission. After graduating with distinctions from a Bachelor of Midwifery degree at UTS in 2007, and receiving the highest marks in the school and a University Medal in her Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) degree at UWS last year, Holly, wife of NRL star Luke Priddis, began her PhD in February this year. But the academic achievements of this registered midwife pale in comparison to her dedication to maximising opportunities and services for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). “My husband and I have four children. Our third child, Cooper, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of two years,” Holly says. “Through searching for appropriate intervention programs, we became caught in a whirlwind of meetings, assessments, occupational and speech therapy sessions and so on, and found there was a distinct lack of services in the Western Sydney area.” Furthermore, Holly found the services that were accessible struggled with a lack of funding, along with a lack of resources suitable to provide appropriate intervention for children with ASD and other special needs. “We subsequently established the Luke Priddis Foundation
We’re working towards building an Autism Specific Centre of Excellence (www.lukepriddisfoundation.com), and we currently run multiple supportive services for children and their families as we work towards building an Autism Specific Centre of Excellence.” For more information on the Bachelor of Nursing at UWS visit myfuture.uws.edu.au
Find your way to ... Open Day at Parramatta Sunday August 28, 2011 At Open Day, we open up our Parramatta campus to future students who want to experience University life. Come and access one-on-one academic advice and attend presentations that provide information on course and career pathways as well as scholarships, exchange opportunities and student support services.
Register now! Register at www.uws.edu.au/openday or phone 1300 897 669