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| Monash staff directory | A-Z index | |
News and Media Releases from around the campus.
Further information: Christine Prendergast, Manager Marketing, Monash University Gippsland Campus. Telephone +61 3 512 26214 or Mobile 0429 012 518.
Churchill’s new shopping centre will benefit from the installation of a CCTV system which will help make the area safer for community residents and visitors alike.
The CCTV system, which was installed at no cost by local firm, Pantac Security, allows a more efficient way to ensure the safety of visitors to the shopping centre.
“CCTV is not simply about preventing crime – it allows us to make sure we can respond quickly if someone is in trouble, such as a person who may have fallen late at night,” said Sergeant Peter Allan of the Churchill Police.
“Although Churchill enjoys the security that comes with a small, close-knit community, the initiative provides an additional layer of safety, particularly for our older residents or new students at the University who may not be familiar with the area.”
The installation of the system was funded through a partnership between Monash University, Victoria Police and the Churchill Shopping Centre.
“This is a great example of agencies working together, and creating benefits for the whole community,” said Alan Scarlett, Campus Manager for Monash University Gippsland.
“Already, many of our students – including those from interstate and overseas –have commented that they feel safer and more secure when visiting the shopping centre, especially when they are on their own,” said Mr Scarlett.
Representatives from Victoria Police, Churchill CBD and Monash University attended the launch the CCTV system this Friday morning.
The installation of Churchill’s CCTV system has highlighted the range of safety initiatives in place to support students studying at Monash University Gippsland.
Monash student Kristy Kirkham, who lives in the university’s accommodation facilities, said security awareness was a high priority on campus.
“There’s a great student community here and students are always made aware of important information related to security,” Kristy said, “You get to know people and that encourages you to look out for everyone.”
Kristy said the installation of the CCTV system was positive decision and would help make her feel more secure.
“It’s great to know the cameras are there if something happens and that someone’s actually taking responsibility to look out for students and the community.”
Jessica Nasr, an international student from Singapore, said living on campus provided many advantages.
“The residential staff here at Monash and the residential advisors (students living on campus who are appointed to a student support role) are always reminding us to be mindful of security. It’s easy to get information and ask for help when you need it.”
“Living on campus is better than living by yourself because of the student community we have here. Staff always make an effort to get to know students and talk to them and they’re always visible on the campus.”
Over 300 students lived on campus at Monash Gippsland in 2009.
Professor Hiroshi Motoda, Osaka University and AFOSR/AOARD, is visting the campus on 30 November. He will be hosting a seminar, titled "Learning Information Diffusion Model for Social Networks from Observed Data", in which he will discuss how the Internet creates large-scale social networks, and computational models for behavioral analyses.
Hiroshi Motoda was a professor in the division of Intelligent Systems Science at the Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research of Osaka University for 10 years and has received a number of award for his work over the years. He recently publsied a book, "Fundamentals of Data Mining", which was awarded the 2007 Okawa Publishing Prize.
For more information:. GSIT Research Seminar.
Lowanna College student
Mitchell Hayes
"Monash continues to be the most popular choice for Victorian students"
Data released this week has shown a 17.8% increase in university applicants who have chosen Monash University Gippsland as their first preference for tertiary study.
The information was provided in the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) Preference Report – also referred to as ‘popularity polls’ – and revealed positive results across Monash University campuses, with one in four students making Monash their first choice (approximately 15,175 students).
Gippsland campus Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Helen Bartlett said the results were very pleasing and reflected strong recognition of the quality and diversity of courses offered at the university.
“Monash continues to be the most popular choice for Victorian students and it’s great to see such positive results from the VTAC report,” Professor Bartlett said.
“It’s still too early to identify the driving factors, but anecdotally there appears to be greater awareness of the advantages of studying at Monash Gippsland and the growing importance of further education, particularly during difficult economic times.”
Professor Bartlett said a range of new and modernised degrees in Arts, Business, Education, Science and Nursing have also added to the appeal of course offerings at the campus.
The VTAC report comes in the light of recent headlines which have highlighted the challenges faced by regional students, particularly with the financial hardships associated with relocating to metropolitan areas for higher education.
Mitchell Hayes of Lowanna College in Newborough says he chose the Primary Education degree at Monash Gippsland as his first preference because of his interest in teaching and his desire to become a positive male role-model for young students.
“I’ve had an interest in teaching since I was a child and often helped other students with their studies,” Mitchell says.
Mitchell, who is Year 12 captain at Lowanna College, says his interest in teaching was developed following a work experience role he undertook at Yallourn North Primary School in Year 10.
Asked why he chose Monash Gippsland, Mitchell says there were a number of factors.
“Monash provides great opportunities for male primary school teachers and the fact that the campus is local really appeals to me,” he says.
“I wasn’t really ready to move to Melbourne at this stage, so having the course available locally is great.”
Mitchell says Lowanna College had provided excellent support for him through his VCE and have partnered with Monash, who funded lectures and tutoring for Lowanna students through the Schools Access Monash program.
Professor Helen Bartlett
Research funding of $850,000 has been awarded to Monash University Gippsland for three major research projects. The Australian Research Council (ARC) has awarded the funds from its Discovery Project Scheme.
Professor Helen Bartlett, Pro Vice-Chancellor at Monash Gippsland congratulated the academics involved on the quality of their submissions. She said “it is a significant accomplishment to be receiving research grants of this value and recognises the quality work that is being undertaken at the campus.”
Three projects are sharing the funding. One of these projects will apply a nanotechnology approach to develop environmentally compatible and cost-effective materials that will minimise ground water contamination by hyper-saline industrial leachates and process waters.
Professor Bartlett said “a range of industries will benefit from resulting lower costs associated with storage, processing and reclamation of process waters through new technologies.”
Dr Vaughan Higgins will lead a team who are considering sustainable farming in an environment dominated by issues related to climate change and global economic pressures. This project will examine the response of farmers to initiatives that are looking to manage competing demands of farm viability and environmental sustainability.
Associate Professor Manzur Murshed has received a grant to develop devices that will enable the telecommunications industry to support quality videoconferencing with mobile phones and the computer games industry to develop rich virtual reality games.
Professor Bartlett said “this project will assist the medical profession with improved telemedicine and medical imaging with emerging technologies such as edible cameras.”
The grants were announced this week by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr.
For the full calendar of events see Campus Events.
Gippsland Campus Auditorium
"greater flexibility and diversity to cater to local needs"
Monash University has unveiled new plans to expand the size and capacity of its outer suburban campus at Berwick and its regional campus at Gippsland.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Ed Byrne said the campuses would have greater operational autonomy empowering campus leaders to cater even more to local student, industry and government needs, as well as meet national goals around greater access and equity in the higher education sector.
“Monash is committed to innovation and the highest levels of excellence in teaching, research and community engagement. We are also committed to ensuring more Australians gain access to a high-quality University education in or close to their own communities,” Professor Byrne said.
“At a time when some in the sector talk of getting smaller and more elite, Monash University is committed to growing without compromising on the highest standards in quality.
“As the nation’s largest university with a strong focus on research excellence and a proven track-record in the operation of suburban campuses, Monash University is well-placed to meet the needs of people living in regional and suburban Australia.”
Monash University’s Berwick campus is situated in the heart of Victoria’s fastest growing population centres. It is home to the new state government select entry school, due to open next year, and is located next to large health and educational providers as well as industry.
Professor Byrne said the campus would now have greater operational independence, similar to arrangements already in place at the Gippsland campus, which would mean greater flexibility and diversity to cater to local needs, including a greater connection between education provision and heath services in conjunction with other local tertiary providers.
“Depending on student demand and funding models, we are keen to see significant growth at both campuses,” Professor Byrne said.
“While Monash will continue to improve opportunities for disadvantaged groups at all campuses, it is not envisioned there will be a major increase in student numbers at other metropolitan campuses in order to meet the Federal Government’s 20/40 agenda.
The reform was suggested by a Futures Taskforce headed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Adam Shoemaker. Other suggestions to be adopted also include:
Monash University was ranked 45 in the world in the most recent Times Higher Education Supplement rankings. Professor Byrne said the initiatives would further boost Monash’s performance and standing.
“As Monash moves in this direction, we will develop more campus differentiation akin to successful comparisons in North America such as the University of California and the University of Toronto.”
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