Student Advisory Council (SAC)

The Student Advisory Council will:

1. Advise, consult and make recommendations to the University on matters affecting the academic and social wellbeing of students, including:
   • The effectiveness and comprehensiveness of student service delivery:
   • Teaching and learning matters of concern to students;
   • Policies and procedures affecting students;
   • Campus life and activities; and
   • The potential uses of SSAF funds that align with the student lifecycle and priority support categories as permitted under the legislation.
2. Provide an occasion for student representatives to be proactive and engage with one another to formulate common and group-specific student issues for presentation to the University.
3. Provide an occasion for University representatives to respond to issues raised by student representatives or issues requiring student consultation.

Other non-faculty student representation

2021 Key activities and agenda items

The SAC has been actively engaged in a number of projects and initiatives. These projects span the breadth of the student lifecycle and diverse student community.

• Students as Partners - The Student Advisory Council played a key role in creating the Students as Partners framework, which enables greater engagement between University, and its students. The Students as Partners signing took place on 2^nd December 2021.
• SAC Climate Change Statement Project – Members of the Student Advisory Council worked in collaboration with the University to establish a Youth Climate Change Statement to be presented as a part of 16^th Conference of Youth on Climate Change (COY16) in Glasgow, November 2021. The statement fulfilled the requirements for ‘Climate Here’ recognition.  The project team also contributed to the Australian Statement having been the only institution to make submission to COY16.
• Annual Report to University Council – The SAC Executive prepared a written report to update University Council of the activities and achievements of the SAC including consultation activities and projects. Other items reported on were SAC Leadership, Planning and Training, Leadership Event, creation of SAC Values and Goals, Induction and Training.
• Interim (Student) Report on Academic Appeals and Review of Grades Process and Procedure – The report contains 16 interim recommendations to the University (some of which have been implemented).  The report was also submitted to the November Academic Senate meeting. A final report has been produced after further consultation with stakeholders.
• UOW Reference Guide – the ASSH representative identified issues with the current UOW Referencing Guide as being outdated. Work continues on updating the existing guides with Learning Development and the Library.
• Student Engagement Policy – the BAL postgraduate representative established an effective student engagement policy and framework to support new students for 2022. Progress of this project will be ongoing in the upcoming SAC 2022/2023 term.
• LGBTIQ+ Community – The LGBTIQ+ representative is working on an initiative to increase awareness of ACON and Ally Network through resource to assist students in accessing these support networks. In addition, creating more ‘Welcome Here’ spaces across the Wollongong Campus; and register safe spaces and include signage for the LGBTIQ+ community particularly in the STEM area.
• Wellbeing and Inclusion Space – The Persons with Disabilities representative is currently working on an initiative to create a Wellbeing and Inclusions space.  Work on this project continues into 2022.

Student Consultation

The following are examples of the consultation and working party membership that occurred in 2021:

• Student Knowledge Management Project
• New approach to Student-Teacher Evaluation
• Higher degree research at UOW
• UOW COVID-19 Return to Campus Roadmap
• Graduation Ceremonies
• Student Feedback on Subjects Report
• UOW Student Mental Health Advisory Group
• Online Examination Proctoring System Project
• Safe and Respectful Communities
• Outdoor Informal Learning Spaces
• UOW Future Health and Medical Services
• Return to Campus Working Party Consultation
• VC Delegates Strategy Event
• Sustainable Goals Development Strategy Working Party
• SAC Student Services and Amenities Fee Working Party
• Consulted on communication strategies on various student related activities throughout the year
• Online Teaching and Learning experience at UOW
• Initiated a Student-Staff Partnership on Student Representation in Academic Matters

2020 Key agenda items

The SAC discussed a large variety of topics in 2020 and the following is a brief description of key 2020 agenda points and projects identified as critical for the student body.

• Annual Presentation to the Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Group (VCAG) 2019/2020. The SAC Executive presented objectives of the SAC at VCAG and provided an update on the activities of the SAC for 2020. 
• UOW Transition to Online – in response to the global pandemic, the SAC Executive met regularly with Executive of the University to provide feedback and comment regarding the transition from on campus to online teaching and learning.
• Development of a SAC Facebook page to increase the visibility and awareness of the SAC across the student cohort.
• Review and feedback of Lecture Recording Guidelines and the Teaching & Assessment Subject Delivery policy. The SAC provided feedback to the Academic Quality Standards Unit following the implementation of ECHO360 project.
• Students as Partners Agreement – representatives of the SAC worked with the Student and Accommodation Services Division on the formation the agreement for approval in 2021. The agreement intends to strengthen the student voice in governance and decision making across UOW by working in partnership with the University.
• Sustainable Development Goals Steering Committee – representatives of the SAC had the opportunity to contribute to the UOW’s development of a suite of subjects that enable students to learn about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) as well as also exploring other opportunities for students to engage with the SDG’s more broadly.
• Online Examination Proctoring Tender Evaluation – SAC representatives provided feedback to the University during the process of tender evaluation for the development of an online examination proctoring system.

2019 Key Agenda items

The SAC discussed a large variety of topics in 2019 and the following is a brief description of key 2019 agenda points.

• Annual Presentation to the Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Group (VCAG) 2018/19. The SAC Executive presented objectives of the SAC at VCAG and provided an update on the activities of the SAC for 2019. 
• Lead the push for increasing the recording of lectures via the ECHO360 project. The SAC were part of a working party for the recording of more live lectures via ECHO360 at UOW.  The working group presented guiding principles of lecture recording to the Academic Senate and as a result a policy and procedures are being developed.
• Participated in the consultation of informal learning projects 2019/2020. The SAC provided feedback to Facilities Management Services regarding student infrastructure projects across campus.   The SAC identified that the campus required more covered learning places and that student feedback has an impact on project funding and approval of these spaces.
• Consulted on the Safe and Respectful Communities (SARC) 2019/2020 Action Plan. The SAC provided feedback on the SARC video campaign that highlights the services provided by UOW Security across campus.  Part of the Action Plan was to engage with the SAC and student leaders about creating student led programs to encourage the conversation around Safe and Respectful Communities.
• Reviewed and commented on the SARC Review of 'Consent Matters'. The University currently offers the SARC Consent Matters module which is optional for students to complete.  The University sought feedback from SAC as per the SARC Action Plan whether UOW should make this module compulsory.
• Reviewed and commented on the UOW 2020-2025 Strategic Plan.The University sought feedback and comment from the SAC on the draft UOW 2020-2025 Strategic Plan.  SAC were able to ask questions and provided valuable feedback regarding the strategic direction of UOW with the focus on Goal 1 of the strategic plan: Empowering students for their future.
• Consultation of the Student Service @UOW strategy. The University sought feedback from the SAC regarding current UOW student service environment, the intended roadmap strategy and its impact on students.
• National Student Voice Summit. As a part of the ongoing collaboration of the Students as Partners working group, SAC representatives attend the summit.  The objectives of the summit was to further develop an understanding of a partnership approach to student engagement and to explore how students can be effective partners in decision making and governance at UOW.

2018 Key agenda items

The SAC discussed a large variety of topics in 2018 and the following is a brief description of key 2018 agenda points.

• Safe and Respectful Communities (SARC). Representatives have received SARC first responder training and have provided feedback and recommendations on the UOW SARC action plan. The SAC continues to support the efforts of the University in this initiative.
• 100th Armistice Day Commemorations. The SAC acknowledged the sacrifice made by so many others in World War One and unreservedly supported a representative initiative to send SAC members to take part in commemorations at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra and locally in Wollongong. A UOW media release was also created in support of the event.
• Digital Literacies. Representatives have worked with UOW Library to provide user feedback and support on the “Manage, Use, Create” program which is a series of self-paced Moodle modules and resources designed to improve the proficiency of student’s digital capability.
• Student Services Amenities Fees (SSAF) Working Group. The SAC SSAF Working Group reviewed the student SSAF survey results and project submissions for SSAF monies, this is integral in student consultation process for SSAF. The SAC provided recommendations on all SSAF funded projects for 2019 to meet SSAF legislated requirements.
• Students as Partners (SaP) Working Group. A SaP Working Group has formed to develop a Student Partnership Agreement with the University. Working group participants have had the ability to create the wording, direction and scope of the agreement which will impact all aspects of student involvement within UOW.

Other areas of feedback and discussion have been UOW Wifi capability, accommodation services fees, Unilife membership prices, UOW support services and representative engagement.

2021

• 19 Oct 2021 meeting minutes (PDF)
• 23 Sept 2021 meeting minutes (PDF)
• 31 Aug 2021 meeting minutes (PDF)
• 29 Jul 2021 meeting minutes (PDF)
• 18 May 2021 meeting minutes (pdf)
• 15 Apr 2021 meeting minutes (pdf)
• 16 Mar 2021 meeting mintures (pdf)

2020

• 15 Oct 2020 meeting minutes (pdf)
• 17 Sep 2020 meeting minutes (pdf)
• 18 Aug 2020 meeting minutes (pdf)
• 21 Jul 2020 meeting minutes (pdf)
• 19 May 2020 meeting minutes (pdf)
• 23 Apr 2020 meeting minutes (pdf)
• 16 Mar 2020 meeting minutes (pdf)

2019

• 17 Oct 2019 meeting minutes (pdf)
• 17 Sep 2019 meeting minutes (pdf)
• 13 Aug 2019 meeting minutes (pdf)
• 16 May 2019 meeting minutes (pdf)
• 18 Apri 2019 meeting minutes (pdf)
• 12 Mar 2019 meeting minutes (pdf)

2018

• 24 Oct 2018 meeting minutes (pdf)
• 18 Sep 2018 meeting minutes (pdf)
• 15 Aug 2018 meeting minutes (pdf)
• 28 May 2018 meeting minutes (pdf)

Undergraduate Representative

Jackson Cocks

Jackson Cocks is an undergraduate student, studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechatronics) and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at the University of Wollongong. This unique degree combination gives me a range of experiences in many areas of the University, assisting me to put forward different student perspectives at various forums.

I am also a member of the University Council (2021-2023) and Academic Senate (2020-2021). I am also the current chair of the Student Advisory Council and co-chair of the Student Staff Partnership on Student Representation in Academic Matters. I am an advocate for strong student representation at the University and believe it is key to giving students the best university experience. I have also been involved in other task and finish groups, working towards developing student-staff partnerships and ensuring university governance bodies are appropriate and adapted to serve their purpose. In my time on these forums I have co-authored the Interim Report on Academic Appeals and Review of Grades Processes and Procedure and has commenced working on initiatives focusing on UOW accommodation services.

In addition to my degree, I have taken on various roles at the University of Wollongong Law Students’ Society since 2019 working on marketing, policy development and ensuring the smooth operation of the Society. For this work, I was recognised by the School of Law through an Excellence in Student Leadership Award. I also chaired the Society’s Faculty Feedback Committee which provided feedback to the University on key issues surrounding online learning. I have worked as a caseworker at the Illawarra Legal Centre, providing support to the Illawarra community and assisting in policy contributions, and has research experience working with ANCORS at the University of Wollongong.

Postgraduate Representative

Sarah Vogel (She/her)

I am a Postgraduate Representative on the University Council, beginning 2022. I am currently in my third year of a Doctor of Philosophy, having graduated from a Bachelor of Medical and Radiation Physics Advanced (Honours) in 2018. Throughout my time at UOW, I have interacted with the entire breadth of the student population; from those in primary and high school aspiring towards tertiary education, through to postgraduate students submitting the theses. I have worked in several roles; as an In2Uni mentor, Peer Success Coach, an academic tutor and demonstrator, and as the Vice President and President of the Physics Society

Consequently, I offer a unique understanding into the wants and needs of not just postgraduate students, but also the wider student community. I believe that this scope is necessary to make the appropriate decisions to be a university that students want to attend, allow students to continue to thrive in a rich education environment and to expand our strong research output. As part of my membership on the SAC, I will advocate for postgraduate students by encouraging continued investment into research facilities and equipment.

International Onshore Representative

Ahsan Anees

Postgraduate Representative

Michael Valceski

Postgraduate Representative

Tarneet Kaur

Undergraduate Representative

Jack Mansell

Undergraduate Representative

Katherine Minns

Undergraduate Representative

Ben Hamill

Undergraduate Representative

Tiana Myers

WUPA Representative

Jin Zhao (He/him)

My name is Jin Zhao. I am a Ph.D. candidate from School of Electrical, Computer and Telecommunications Engineering (SECTE), Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences (EIS). I am an international student from China and I completed my Master's degree at University of Wollongong. My research topic for Ph.D. is about the control of electric vehicle transmission. Now it is my third year doing research at UOW and my Ph.D. study enables me to explore an area deeply with specialised insight. And I hope the results of my original research can have wide-reaching benefits, not only for my own career but also for everyone.

I am also the president of Wollongong University Postgraduate Association, and it is my duty to contribute in WUPA assisting more students in improving their campus life. As a student representative in SAC, it is my core belief to make students heard. I will actively work with every other member of SAC to help make every students’ daily life more enjoyable and meaningful.

WUSA Representative

Jye Langley

Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (International Student Representative)

(Vacant)

Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities Representative (Postgraduate Student Representative)

(Vacant)

Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities Representative (Undergraduate Student Representative)

Jonah Hurley

Faculty of Business and Law Representative – International Representative

Bongani Munkuli (He/him)

Hello my name is Bongani Munkuli and I was elected as the International student representative in the Business and Law and will attend the Faculty International Committee in BAL until 31 December 2021. As a faculty representative I hold a position on the Student Advisory Council which represents the student voice. I am currently a PhD candidate in Finance at UOW. I previously received a Master of Science Banking and Finance from the Universita Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore in Milan, Italy and a bachelor's degree in Business Management and Accounting from the University of Fort Hare in South Africa. For the past decade, I have worked both in industry as a financial analyst and in academia where I lectured in the field of finance. During my journey I have gained a range of experiences in many areas of the University, assisting me to put forward different student perspectives to the Council. I am honoured to have been selected as a representative, which will allow me to voice the needs of international students. I look forward to collaborating with the university representatives; expressing the views of international students; and advocating for students' academic excellence. I enjoy traveling, playing football, investing, and volunteering in his community with friends, and family. I am always willing to share information on a plethora of subjects, including business and finance. My knowledge, professionalism, and expertise have helped many individuals. I am big on communication and takes pride in listening to people’s wants and needs to achieve the best experience possible on every interaction. I have a love of learning to expand his knowledge as well as applying that knowledge to various situation. One of my mottos is “applied knowledge is better than just knowledge. You can learn all you want but if you do not apply it, it loses its value, purpose, and impact on the lives around you.” I am passionate about advocating for individuals who do not have easy access to the tools that could make their lives better, as well as for those who have the talent to accomplish much but are never given the chance. I hope to always be a servant leader to all and continuously share my knowledge with everyone I cross paths with.

Faculty of Business and Law (Undergraduate Student Representative)

Mikayla Barnes

Faculty of Business and Law (Postgraduate Representative)

David Havyatt (He/him)

I am enrolled as a part time student in my second year of a PhD in the Faculty of Business and Law at the University of Wollongong. My field of research is on economic regulation of electricity networks. I also have a long business experience in telecommunications, regulation and policy.

From my earliest undergraduate days to today I have been a supporter of the independence of Universities, the importance of active student participation in governance and that the value of University is in developing skills applicable to all parts of life, not just as narrow job training grounds.

As the postgraduate representative in BAL, I am keen to represent the interests, priorities and concerns of both coursework and research postgraduate students. This includes any aspect of the student experience, and extends beyond just teaching, learning and research to other areas such as any issues students have as visitors to the region or the country. I’m always available for a chat.

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences Representative (Undergraduate Student Representative)

Prashad Navaranjan

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences (International Representative)

Geeta Mahala (She/her) 

My name is Geeta Mahala and I was elected to the Student Advisory Council as the International student representative in the Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences (EIS) for a one-year term, commencing March 2021. I am currently studying a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Computer Science. My PhD is fully funded by UOW and am the recipient of the “International Postgraduate Tuition Award (ITPA)” and the “University Postgraduate Award (UPA)”. The focus of my research is “The future of RPA: Leveraging deeper insights into effective human behaviour using novel classes of abstractions combined with machine learning”.

In addition to my degree and studies, I enthusiastically participate and contribute as a volunteer to several welfare agencies as I think my talent/skills can help me to transform society. I actively work towards the betterment of community by sharing my knowledge with university students, budding talent, and Startups and have volunteered for UOW as a Mentor and UOWx Ambassador, Jobs for NSW in Univative Sydney, 2017, and Allotrac in iUnivative, 2017.

As part of the Student Advisory Council, I am currently working on a project seeking to provide a platform/way for international students to find internships and post-study work in their own field. International students, who have plenty of work experience, often struggle to find a part-time (during session) or full-time job (during session break or post-graduation) due to various reasons, such as time taken to make themselves familiar in a new country/environment hampers their ability to quickly build new industrial relationship and to prove how their past work experience benefits Australia. Therefore, I am actively working with faculty to create an Internship Program, a Placement Program, and an Industry Collaboration to make opportunities for international students to get job in their own field.

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences (Postgraduate Representative)

Helena Ibro (She/her)

Hello my name is Helena Ibro and I was elected to the role of postgraduate student representative in the faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences (EIS) and the Student Advisory Council for a one-year term, commencing March 2021.

I am currently studying a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Computer Science. My studies are fully funded by both the University and NSW Health Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD). The main focus of my research is in utilising Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve cancer management.

In addition to my degree and studies, I have taken on several leading roles at the University of Wollongong with the most recent being an international mentor for EIS as of 2021. Coming from Albania and being an international student myself, I work alongside other mentors to foster a positive UOW experience in order to reduce barriers for the faculty’s students by providing support and advice and referring them to appropriate support services on campus.

I really enjoy engaging with other students, whether it is at student representation forums, in the lab or at university social events. As part of my role on the Student Advisory Council I am currently working on a project seeking to provide a platform/way for postgraduate students to access various interdisciplinary lectures that would benefit their research without them having to enrol in the subject. Living in this new online learning environment, accessibility to resources has become more difficult and confusing for young researchers.

Supporting them throughout their journey with the appropriate tools and knowledge can make their experience more enjoyable and their work more significant.

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health (International Representative)

Niscal Sharma

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health (Undergraduate Representative)

Ben Regan

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health (Postgraduate Representative)

Tarneet Kaur

Shoalhaven campus - Student Representative

(Vacant)

Bega campus - Student Representative

(Vacant)

Sydney CBD campus - Student Representative

(Vacant)

Southern Sydney campus (Loftus) - Student Representative

Amy Heyhoe

South Western Sydney campus (Liverpool) - Student Representative

Gabrielle Tahhan

Southern Highlands campus (Moss Vale) - Student Representative

(Vacant)

Batemans Bay campus - Student Representative

(Vacant)

Innovation Campus - Student Representative

(Vacant)

LGBTIQ+ Representative

Aurora Green (She/her)

My name is Ms Aurora Green and I was elected to the Student Advisory Council as the LGBTIQ+ Student Representative. Commencing my term in early 2021. I am currently studying a Bachelor of Social Work. The perspectives that my Social Work studies have provided, work well within the Student Advisory Council, allowing me to have a greater appreciation for the importance of LGBTIQ+ representation at UOW.

I am also a Community Leader at Kooloobong Village, also commencing this role in 2021. Being a Community Leader has been beneficial in building connections with LGBTIQ+ students to better represent their experiences. I am also registered on the Ally list as part of the UOW Ally Network, and have become more involved with the UOW LGBTIQ+ community within the Allsorts Collective.

As part of my role as an LGBTIQ+ Representative, I am focused on achieving greater consideration of LGBTIQ+ experiences within processes at UOW. Especially in areas of UOW Administration where said experiences may not be typically considered. I have also prioritised wanting to achieve greater LGBTIQ+ involvement at UOW, since a single voice cannot represent every LGBTIQ+ experience.

I greatly enjoy involvement with any type of UOW student about LGBTIQ+ experiences. With an appreciation for facilitating discussions that many people outside the LGBTIQ+ community are often nervous to engage with. I am currently working on trying to improve LGBTIQ+ accessibility to UOW services, particularly in ways that put forward the importance of respecting LGBTIQ+ identities.

Clubs and Societies Representative

(Vacant)

Clubs and Societies Representative

(Vacant)

Persons with a Disability Representative

Carly Lavings (She/her)

My role is the Persons with Disabilities Representative on the Student Representative Council (SAC) and currently an acting Deputy Chair on the SAC Executive, with my term commencing in March 2021. I am currently a full-time, 2nd year student living on campus studying a Bachelor of Arts and in Western Civilisation/Bachelor of International Studies. As an extension of my membership with the SAC, I am involved in the Activation Working Party, Student Services and Amenities Fees Advisory Group, Safe and Respectful Communities Working Party and Student Mental Health Advisory Group. Outside of these commitments, I am a volunteer for the Make-A-Wish foundation and has a previous history in offering volunteer tutoring services for those with learning disabilities.

I am deeply passionate about mental health issues and ensuring that those voices of underrepresented groups is heard. I also aim to connect deeply and empathetically to the issues to that students face and not only made sure these responses are heard and acted upon but understood and validated. I am currently working on fostering a community within the university which promotes healthy, informal support to those in need. Hopefully you get to see my friendly face around campus and encourage you to approach me in person or online with concerns and questions as well as passions, interests, and ideas. My approach is to work collaboratively with others and would welcome anyone to work with me.

UOW Pulse Representative

(Vacant)

Women’s Representative

Paris Rawaqa (She/her)

Hello my name is Paris Rawaqa and I was elected as the Women’s Representative on the Student Advisory Council in 2021. I am from Albury, NSW, and moved to Wollongong in 2018 to study a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Environmental) and a Bachelor of Laws, both of which I have greatly enjoyed thus far. These degrees are beneficial to my role as a student representative as they ignite underlying passions including justice and women in STEM. These degrees also provide me with an ability to critically analyse circumstances through both the creative and logistical lenses.

I bring empathy and fairness in all of my dealings, particularly with women and other marginalised groups such as Indigenous People, International Students, Persons with Disabilities and those from the LGBTIQ+ community. As a student representative in the Student Advisory Council, and also the Pulse Advisory Committee, my biggest wish is that anybody would feel safe and happy to come and have a cup of tea and a chat with me about absolutely anything.

When not studying or working, you will find me socialising with friends, at the UniGym, at Parkrun or cooking up a storm.

Student Residencies Representative

Sam Jennings (He/him)

My name is Sam Jennings and I was originally born in England but my parents and I immigrated to Australia in 2013. I am lucky enough to be the first in my family to attend University and continue my education. I am completing a Bachelor of Medical and Health Science (Honours) this year and I have recently graduated (2020) from the Bachelor of Pre-Medicine, Science and Health. In both courses, I have had a major focus on the medical side of the content, completing my research in cardiovascular physiology.

I have had a passion for rural and remote medicine that has sent me too many remote communities within Australia and in other countries as well. As such, I have held a few roles with UOW SHARP and written a few reports for the NSW Rural Doctors Network about my experiences and challenges faced within those environments. Thus, I have had a passion for having an influence in our experiences regardless if they are in the healthcare field or as UOW students. Having lived on University accommodation for 4 years now, I am excited for the opportunity to represent my friends and residents, to make the accommodation experience better each year. I have been a Student Leader at Kooloobong Village for 2 of those years and I am currently a Community Leader living at Bangalay.

Woolyungah Indigenous Representative

Thomessia Mason

Hello, my name is Thomeissa Mason and I am the Woolyungah Indigenous Centre (WIC) representative. I am a Gomeroi, Wiradjuri & Awabakal Woman in my third year of studying a Bachelor of Law – Bachelor of Arts – majoring in Indigenous Studies and minoring in Visual Arts. My role on the Student Advisory Council is to be the communication bridge between students and the university and to represent the voice of student’s in particular Indigenous students on behalf of WIC. Our voices matter, so if you have any issues or initiatives you’d like to discuss come and have a yarn with me at WIC, I’m there every day except Fridays.

Woolyungah Indigenous Representative

Ethan Graham

Mature Age Student Representative

(Vacant)