2011 Recipients

Individual Category

Dr Montse Ros

Dr Montse Ros receives this award in recognition of her dedication above and beyond the normal expectations in her role as the Women in Engineering Coordinator for the School of Electrical, Computer & Telecommunications Engineering in the Faculty of Informatics. 

She has dedicated her efforts to encourage young women to consider Engineering as a career choice. This has involved establishing an annual Women in Engineering Summit for high school students from throughout NSW and the ACT on campus each January; coordinating Women in Engineering activities for female students enrolled at UOW; and assisting with the coordination of the Girl Guides in Engineering and Science Saturdays to encourage young girls to consider maths and science subjects in high school which may lead to a career in Engineering. 

Dr Ros has also been involved in collaborative research with community partners; sits on the University’s Community Engagement Committee; is Chair of the SECTE Marketing and High Schools Liaison Committee and has participated in a number of outreach programs offered by UOW.

In addition to her work-related community engagement activities, Dr Ros is an active and dedicated volunteer for the Wollongong City State Emergency Service (SES).

Team Category

International House Team led by Student Residence Manager Alison Hemsley

The International House Team led by Student Residence Manager Alison Hemsley is awarded the 2011 Vice-Chancellor’s Team Award for Excellence in Community Engagement.

Ms Hemsley and her dedicated team of key staff and student leaders have demonstrated an ongoing and innovative approach to identifying opportunities to become involved in the local community including initiating a myriad of programs and activities such as fundraising and charity events, forums, personal coaching sessions, mentoring and school engagement activities.

Key programs initiated by International House include Global Highway, an annual event which has gone from strength to strength and highlights and celebrates international diversity; ILIVE, which promotes global well being by enabling its residents to be intercultural leaders; and a joint Creative Community Connection project with the Strategic Community Assistance to Refugee Families (SCARF).

 Alison and the International House Team have established and encouraged a culture that is committed to championing ongoing community engagement.