Dear Students, Welcome to Week 5! I hope you are feeling happy and settled at UOW. As we head into the middle point of the Autumn session, it’s a great moment to reflect on how far you’ve come.
New horizons for careers & employability
Firstly, this week, the 2023 Graduate Careers Expo kicked off on Tuesday with a bang, attracting the highest-ever number of industry partners and over 800 students. I hope those who attended got to network extensively and find their dream opportunities.
Then, we officially opened a new shopfront for students and employers, designed to simplify access to careers and employability services and programs at UOW. It will offer a suite of workshops, seminars and more informal activities. This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring that our students have the skills and experience to thrive in their future careers.
The new hub is located in Building 19 (G008/10 & 11) and it will be open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.
You can find more information about what’s happening on campuses and online on the new Careers & Employability web portal that has just launched.
Finally, our Careers & Employability unit has recently partnered with specialist graduate service, WISE Employment, to deliver tailored careers advice and guidance to students living with a disability, mental or physical health condition or injury.
World Water Day
For World Water Day, an annual United Nations initiative celebrated worldwide on March 22, University of Wollongong (UOW) marine biology students took part in a unique practical experiment – going pond-dipping to test the bodies of water at their Wollongong campus.
The study was organised by behavioural ecologist Dr Marian Wong, a senior lecturer in UOW’s School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences and a Superstars of STEM program alumna, for her class on Marine and Freshwater Biodiversity. If you’re curious about what the students found lurking beneath the surface of UOW ponds and streams, go to our Instagram and TikTok to check it out.
Taking a stand for safety
I know that it can be difficult standing up for others in complex situations. But at UOW, we take a proactive approach to creating a safe space for everyone. That's why we have introduced a series of new Cultural Change Workshops. Spearheaded by our fantastic team from the Safe and Respectful Communities (SARC), this training aims to equip students and staff with the necessary tools to become active bystanders and intervene in situations involving harmful or abusive behaviour.
The Cultural Change program was developed in response to feedback from the 2022 Respect Week, which highlighted the need for training to effectively and safely address harmful behaviour.
The first workshop was held recently, receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback, and there will be more such workshops in the near future.
Get your hands dirty for a greener future
Did you know that a single tree can absorb up to 250 kilograms of carbon dioxide over its lifetime?
Our team at Pulse is calling all UOW green thumbs and environmentalists to join them for a day of tree planting at Robertson. The organisers aim to have as many as 650 trees planted on the day.
Last year, UOW made a serious commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, with our Shoalhaven Campus switching to 100 per cent renewable energy and our students issuing a Youth Climate Statement. Please help us create a clean and safe future. You can read more about UOW’s sustainable goals in this article.
All participants of tree planting event are to meet at Pulse Reception (Building 11) at 8.30 am on Tuesday 4 April, to then hop on a chartered bus to Robertson. Return on campus is expected at approximately 3.30 pm. Please come dressed sun-smart and remember to bring your water and snacks. All equipment and a BBQ lunch will be provided. Registration is required for this event and can be done here.
Kind Regards,
Trish