11 April 2005, International Edition

The University of Melbourne Alumni Newsletter, published monthly.

Update your details for a chance to win $200 account at Bookshop

Congratulations to alumnus David Edwards, Bachelor of Engineering (Civil and Environmental) 1985, who has won a $200 account at the Melbourne University Bookshop. David's name was randomly selected from a list of everyone who updated their contact details online during March.

If you would like to be the next winner, simply update your contact details during April and you will go into the draw. Every month, one lucky alumnus will receive an account valued at $200 from the Melbourne University Bookshop. Prizes are redeemable from any country. View the terms and conditions (PDF, 19k).

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Alumni profiles

KEVIN TRANTALLIS Bachelor of Commerce 1996, MBA 2002 Business Analyst, Christian Dior Couture Far East The choice between being a Business Analyst at Christian Dior and pursuing his own entrepreneurial ambitions was difficult for Kevin but working for this luxury brand was an opportunity he could not turn down. Now combining his work with the excitement of life in Hong Kong and a modelling career, Kevin says his ‘give it a go’ attitude to life has paid off. more

REBECCA BARKER Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)/Bachelor of Science 2001 Infrastructure Engineer, Maunsell Australia / Chair, Young Engineers Australia Working towards providing a support network in developing and developed countries as part of a United Nations task force of international Young Engineers is just one of the ‘amazing’ opportunities that have come Rebecca Barker’s way since graduating. more

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EXPANDING RELATIONSHIPS IN ASIA FOR GRADUATES
Two successful graduate career events were conducted by in Shanghai and Hong Kong recently. Key note speakers at Shanghai included Brad Tyson, Senior Manager, Business Development, ANZ Bank and Wayne Mo, Associate Director Manufacturing Asia, ANZ Bank who spoke about the labour market in China and gave valuable advice on career management strategies. In Hong Kong Philip Tsai, the National Human Resources Partner and an Audit Partner with Deloitte, spoke about the employment market globally, regionally and locally and about their own career branding.

Representatives at the events included Bluescope Steel, Agilent Technologies, Hang Seng Bank, ANZ Bank, Southern Cross Consulting, Nike (Suzhou) Sports, Colliers International, Foster’s Brewing, GE, Shanghai Alison Group, the Australian Trade Commission and Deloitte. Graduates from a wide range of courses attended the functions and several graduates gained employment after as a result.

“These offshore events are invaluable for building relationships with international employers and recruiters”, said Ms Christine Enker, the University’s Manager of International Careers and Employment. “We also gain valuable feedback to help international students prepare for employment and gain a competitive edge in the labour market.”

There will be a Graduate Careers and Employment offshore event held in Thailand on Thursday 2 June 2005 and other events in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia in later in the year. These will be promoted in GradNet.

PHOTO From left: Chris Enker, Manager, International Careers and Employment, University of Melbourne; Amanda Chan, Vice-President Human Resources, BlueScope Steel; Julie Wang, Senior Human Resources Coordinator, Bluescope Butler; Stella Xu, Marketing Project team, a Masters of Applied Commerce Graduates employed by BlueScope Steel following the function last year; and Jane Zhang, Marketing Project Team, a Masters of Applied Commerce student employed by BlueScope Steel following last year's function.

A CHANCE FOR GRADUATES TO MEET THE NEW VICE-CHANCELLOR
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Glyn Davis, is the guest speaker at the Annual Ordinary Meeting of Convocation. This is an opportunity for graduates of the University to meet the new Vice-Chancellor and hear him speak about where universities are heading.

The Committee of Convocation exists to represent the interests of the graduates of the University of Melbourne to the Council and on relevant decision-making bodies of the University. All graduates are invited to attend the Committee’s Annual Ordinary Meeting and dinner (optional) to be held on Wednesday 4 May at the University of Melbourne. Contact University Development Office.

A reminder: The call for nominations for President and representatives of graduates on the Committee of Convocation will commence 16 May 2005. More information will be included in the next edition of GradNet. To ensure you can take part in an election, should one be necessary, please update your contact details. For more information about becoming involved in the Committee of Convocation, contact Heather Davies.

ACCESS TO CAREERS AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES FOR ALUMNI
Up to one year after graduation, alumni can continue to use the full range of programs and information provided by the Careers and Employment Service including careers counselling, résumé reviews, seminar programs, careers information and employment opportunities. After a year, alumni continue to have access a range of useful services, including up-to-date career information and employment opportunities via Careers Online, an email bulletin and access to the Careers Resource Centre.

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University news

FROM THE VICE-CHANCELLOR
According to historian Geoffrey Blainey, the University Union at Melbourne was founded in 1884 to “unite and promote the fellowship of the different schools of the University”. more

NEW CENTRE TO HELP BUILD UNDERSTANDING OF ISLAM
A new academic centre to increase Australian understanding of Islam, and draw together Islam-related programs and research, has been established at the University of Melbourne. more

MULTI-FAITH SERVICE TO REMEMBER VICTIMS OF TSUNAMI
University of Melbourne students and staff, diplomats and consuls, and representatives of the major faiths remembered the victims of the tsunami at a multi-faith service hosted by the University recently. more

AUSTRALIAN GOVT SCHOLARSHIPS GO TO UoM ALUMNI IN THAILAND
University of Melbourne alumni have been enjoying success in Thailand, with two recent graduates having been awarded scholarships by the Australian Government to undertake further study in Australia. more

More news from the University of Melbourne is available online.

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Research news

GROWTH IN CYBERSPACE DATING ATTRIBUTED TO LIFE PRESSURES
The recent growth in online dating reflects changing social realities, rather than particular individual characteristics such as shyness, according to two University of Melbourne researchers. more

NEW HOPE FOR ARTHRITIS CURE
A Melbourne-led team of scientists has discovered the enzyme that destroys cartilage in inflammatory arthritis, offering new hope to sufferers of this painful condition. more

’THE PILL’ MAY DELAY BREAST CANCER RISK
Women at high genetic risk of breast cancer could reduce the potential of it developing at an early age by taking oral contraceptives, according to a University of Melbourne-led international study . more

YOUTH RESEARCH TEAM TO CONDUCT STUDY IN BHUTAN
Researchers from the University of Melbourne’s Australian Youth Research Centre (YRC) will trek the winding roads of the eastern Himalayas next month to work with young people in the Kingdom of Bhutan. more

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Network News

INVITATION: COCKTAIL RECEPTION FOR ALL ALUMNI IN HONG KONG
Professor Glyn Davis, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne, and the Alumni Association of the University of Melbourne (Hong Kong) are delighted to invite all alumni to a cocktail reception in Hong Kong on April 26, 2005.

Professor Davis will speak at the event, which will be an excellent opportunity for you to catch up with friends, learn the latest University news, meet the Vice-Chancellor, and discover how to make the most of being a University of Melbourne alumnus in Hong Kong.

The reception will be held from 6.30-9pm on Tuesday April 26, 2005, in the Concord Room at the Renaissance Harbour View Hotel, 1 Harbour Road, Wanchai. RSVP by Monday April 11 to Kevin Trantallis tel: (852) 9232 3980.

Visit the Alumni Association of the University of Melbourne (Hong Kong) website for more information or to download the Invitation.

ECONOMICS AND COMMERCE GRADUATES
Become a Commerce Alumni member. The Commerce Alumni Society regularly holds events for members and friends throughout the year. Members are also sent a newsletter featuring faculty news and upcoming events twice a year. Membership is free. The next newsletter is being mailed in April to recent graduates and members. Should you wish to become a member, please contact Emily Nugent.

For more information about alumni networks around the globe, see Alumni Networks.

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