UOW Alumni Network E-news

Volume 28 August 2009

UOW Alumni Network E-News is a bi-monthly email newsletter which keeps you up-to-date with University developments and alumni activities. More information on the UOW Alumni Network is available at www.uow.edu.au/alumni/. Your suggestions and comments are always welcome. To give us your feedback, email alumni@uow.edu.au.

UOW NEWS

Student success stories at winter grads
The UOW campus is always a-buzz during the biannual graduation week – with thousands of students, their families and friends celebrating years of study and achievement.

The Winter 2009 ceremonies, held from 22 - 24 July, were no exception – bringing with them a number of uplifting and unique stories. Read more about graduation 

New commerce degree wins acclaim in China
The Faculty of Commerce’s new undergraduate degree has won widespread acclaim from a number of leading Chinese business faculties for its focus on socially innovative commerce. Full story 

UOW PhD student wins global climate change comp
Could Pacific nations sue Australia for a breach of human rights because of our high carbon emissions? This is one question posed by UOW PhD researcher and Law Faculty tutor Keely Boom in her winning entry into an international law competition run by Oxfam International, the Climate Justice Programme and Advocates for International Development. Read more  

New sculpture immortalises ‘evil duck’
Staff and students who have spent time on the Duckpond Lawn over the last few years have probably had at least one run in with the ‘evil duck.’ Now deceased, the large Muscovy duck was called evil because of his penchant for chasing people around the lawn or stealing their lunch.

To commemorate this campus character the University commissioned sculptor and UOW technician Didier Balez to recreate the evil duck. The metal sculpture, which sits in the middle of the duck pond, was unveiled on the 19th of June. Full story 

Wollongong academic joins ranks of first Australian Laureate Fellows
A University of Wollongong academic, who will establish the country’s first research centre devoted to understanding the cultural dimensions of environmental sustainability, was named among the first group ever to be appointed as Australian Laureate Fellows. Full story 

LIVING AT UOW NEWS - What’s happening in the residences?

International House Global Wellbeing Residential Scholarships
In the lead up to the 30 years of International House in 2010, International House plans to raise $5,000 by the end of 2009. The proceeds will allow International House to offer 5 x $1,000 residential scholarships to residents who have demonstrated intercultural leadership. For more information contact International House Student Residence Managers: Lindsay Oades or Alison Hemsley or phone 02 4221 5255 or go to the new International House Alumni Website.

For all the latest news in the residences, please go to:  http://www.uow.edu.au/about/accommodation/news/index.html

ALUMNI NEWS

New benefit partners join UOW Alumni Benefit Program – LUGGAGE BAZAAR
LUGGAGE BAZAAR is a Travel Goods Specialist certified by the Travel Goods Association offering a wide range of versatile travel luggage rollercase and trolleys for business travel and leisure. LUGGAGE BAZAAR is offering a 10% discount on all products to UOW Alumni. Order online at http://www.luggagebazaar.com.au/.

Want to organise a reunion?
The Alumni Relations Office encourages you to organise a reunion as a way of keeping in touch and rekindling the bonds forged in your time at UOW. You can find a comprehensive planning guide on the Alumni Website, which covers everything you need to consider for a successful reunion. You can contact us at any time on alumni@uow.edu.au for help, suggestions and information.

UOW alumnus and artist, Lisa Anderson invites you to attend two of her major exhibitions in August and September
Artist and UOW alumnus Lisa Anderson has two major exhibitions in Sydney throughout August/September that reflect on her experiences as artist in residence in the High Arctic and draw attention to climate change and its effects on both natural and built environments.

ATTLA (snow that makes pictures as it falls) is a multi-layered exhibition at Customs House in Sydney from August 23 – September 27. 

The exhibition Paris Angels at David Rex-Livingston Art Dealer (August 8 – September 6) is a series of paintings based on Lisa’s photography taken during her recent residency at the Cite Internationale des Arts in Paris. Join Lisa for a glass of wine from 6 til 8 pm on Thursday the 13th August at the Gallery, 59 Flinders Street, Surry Hills. Go to http://www.rex-livingston.com/ for further details.

CHAPTER NEWS

Loftus SBS Alumni Chapter Launch
On Thursday, 9 July the first event for the Loftus SBS Alumni Chapter was held at the Tradies Hotel in Gymea.  It was an outstanding success on all fronts with a fantastic response from previous and current Loftus Campus students and a few UOW Commerce Alumni. Full story 

POSTGRADUATE STUDIES

Do you want to do MATERIALS RESEARCH in one of the most exciting research environments in the world?
If you’re looking for a PhD in materials, focusing on energy or health, your Future Starts Here. Check out the website for further information: 

Postgraduate Information Evening
The University of Wollongong is holding a Postgraduate Information Evening for domestic or international prospective students interested in studying a coursework or research degree offered by the University of Wollongong. Attendees will hear information about the postgraduate study opportunities available, entry requirements, the application process, and have the opportunity to speak with faculty representatives. Bookings are essential.

25 August 2009
University Hall, University of Wollongong
Northfields Avenue, Wollongong
6.30pm - 8.30pm

Book online or call 1300 367 869 for further information.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALUMNI

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Professional development opportunities for alumni - WCA’s Winter Business Workshop Series
The current financial situation means business skills and confidence are more important than ever! Our one day workshop series, based on requests from alumni, will be held in August and September.

Workplace relationships- make them work for you
Establish and manage effective workplace relationships.

Teams- make them work
How to effectively manage teams to achieve desired outcomes

Discounts for alumni! Delivered in Wollongong- no need to drive to Sydney! Take as a stand alone unit – or use it to build towards a BSB40807 Cert IV in Frontline Management.  Full details of Workshop Series

TRAVEL

Over 45 & Interested in Travel
ODYSSEY TRAVEL, TURNING TOURIST INTO TRAVELLER
As an alumnus of the University of Wollongong, we are pleased to let you know of an opportunity for you to enjoy travelling and at the same time assist the UOW alumni network. UOW is a member of Odyssey Travel, a not-for-profit organisation and fully accredited IATA Travel Agent. Odyssey is offering to make substantial donations, based on the number of alumni participants who travel with them to support scholarships and offer other activities provided by UOW.  I urge you to consider Odyssey Ed-Ventures when you travel overseas in the future. 

Learn more about Odyssey, their early payment discount and your exclusive invitation to their free travel seminars on China, Russia & Lybia.  Read More

COUNCIL ELECTIONS

Calling all UOW Graduates!
Here’s your opportunity to contribute to UOW’s future by standing as a graduate member of the University Council. The University Council is responsible for the strategic and business decisions which guide UOW. It is seeking one graduate to become a Council member for a four-year term starting on 1 January 2010.

To stand for election as a graduate member you will need to complete a nomination form and have it signed by two other UOW graduates. Nomination forms are available online at www.uow.edu.au/governance/committees/council/UOW060441 and will close on 22 September. You will also be able to register to vote online on the link above. Voting is from 6 - 20 October. Council assistant secretary Nancy Huggett can also arrange to post out nomination forms or voter registration forms. Call her on (02) 4221 5684 for more information.

GUEST SPEAKING OPPORTUNITIES

Seeking guest speakers for Leadership programs
The Centre for Student Engagement is the extra-curricular service centre for the University of Wollongong. CSE runs a number of leadership programs for current students including the Business Leadership Student Team, Australian Student Leadership Association (ASLA) as well as a new Twelve week leadership program they are piloting, developed to empower and motivate our student community through leadership.

CSE are seeking guest speakers for the following:

Business Student Leadership Team - speakers who will provide participants with ongoing business leaderships experience and skills that are applicable in everyday and business life and a deeper understanding of various business topics and their relation to leadership.

ASLA – speakers who are leaders in their chosen fields to explore what leadership is and how leadership principles can be applied in everyday life, at the Students 4 Students Leadership Conference.

Twelve week leadership program – speakers to speak on topics including ‘Global Leadership’, ‘Social Function Etiquette’ and ‘My personal leadership journey’.

Please contact Melissa Zaccagnini for more information.

EVENTS

Creative Arts Faculty - EXHIBITION OPENING: ditto - images in print
Ditto: Images in Print is an initiative of the Faculty’s Centre for Printed Image which was formed to coordinate research activities in photographic, digital and autographic print processes. The centre fosters excellence and innovation in this exciting and constantly changing field of creative production.

Date:                22 July - 14 August 2009
Time:                12:30pm - 1:30pm 
Venue:              FCA Gallery, Room 113, Building 25, University of Wollongong

Description: a survey of creative work and technical experiments in print media by School of Art and Design researchers

Opening Reception on Wednesday 29 July @ 12.30pm Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome to attend.

Public Lecture: Serious fun: Festivals and the revitalisation of rural Australia
Wednesday 26th August, 5:30-6:30 pm at the Five Islands Brewery - All Welcome!

A/Prof Chris Gibson, School of Environmental Sciences at UOW will present. Full Uni in the Brewery event information 

Invitation to Public Lecture Featuring Professor Graeme Clark
Professor Graeme Clark, pioneer of the Bionic Ear, will give a free Public Lecture at the Wollongong Science Centre on Wednesday 19th August 2009, as part of National Science Week.

Graeme's talk, titled "Big thinking, small technologies" will be introduced by Dr Liz Jazwinska, Executive Director, Australian Research Council who will speak briefly about the importance of communicating science to the public.

This lecture is sponsored by UOW's Faculty of Science. ACES and the Wollongong Science Centre & Planetarium and supported by RACI. Seating is limited, so bookings are essential.

When: 11.15 for 11.30am start, 19 August 09 (one hour duration, followed by light refreshments)
Where: Science Centre & Planetarium, Innovation Campus, Squires Way, Fairy Meadow
RSVP: by Friday 12 August to Leanne Crouch email lcrouch@uow.edu.au or phone 4252 8924.

Sydney Business School (SBS) to hold alumni event in China
The Sydney Business School (SBS) at UOW will be holding an event for alumni in Beijing.

Date: Sunday 6 September 2009
Venue & Address: To be confirmed
RSVP: Ms, ZHU Chen (SBS Promotion and Recruitment Manager)
Email: czhu@uow.edu.au
Telephone: +61-2-4221-4040           

Limited seating is available so please RSVP as outlined above.

GIVING TO UOW

2009 Annual Fund
Would you like to support pioneering researchers in the fight against breast cancer and prostate cancer, and determined students following in the footsteps of alumni like you? Donate now to the 2009 Annual Fund to inspire talented UOW researchers and students.  Find out more and donate online at www.uow.edu.au/donations

BENEFITS PROGRAM

Save with UOW Alumni Discounts
Don’t forget to use your UOW Alumni Benefits Card. You can receive great savings on a range of products and services, from arts and accommodation to legal services and health & well-being.

Benefit Partner Highlight
Each month we’ll be highlighting one of our benefit partners in E-News. This month, check out iSUBSCRiBE, Australia's most comprehensive provider of magazine and newspaper subscriptions online. UOW Alumni get 5% off the already great prices on all magazines and newspaper subscriptions. Visit https://www.isubscribe.com.au/uowalumni/.

Full list of alumni discounts 

Last reviewed: 4 September, 2009