News
New alumni benefits launched! A new range of benefits has been introducted, in response to initial findings of the Alumni Preferences Survey 2008
Making the grade - Melbourne the only Australian uni to rank in top 30 in all five disciplines
Look up to find an answer to energy issues
Rural Doctor of the Year saves lives in ski fields and beyond
Events
Explore the University campus by twilight
Polar explorer shares view from troubled Antarctica
The tale of a terrorist who wasn't - A conversation with an Australian Muslim who was detained in Guantanamo Bay
Tie a piece of tinsel 'round the old Oak tree - Event for alumni in Sydney
Upcoming Events - Arts, entertainment and leisure listing
Reconnecting - Reunions and alumni gatherings
Lifelong Learning
Upcoming Public Lectures - This month's free lectures explore life after the apology to the Stolen Generations, international lawyers and feminism and challenges to social inclusion for Muslims living in Australia
Boost your business competency in Asia - Leadership program now open
Lifelong learning events and courses - New page listing courses, conferences and discussions to keep your mind stimulated
Employment
Job of the Month - Research/Projects Officer at the City of Whittlesea
Careers at the University of Melbourne
Special Offers
Start summer on a dramatic note - We have tickets to three performances to give away!
Book of the Month - Inside Out - Writings on Cricket Culture by Gideon Haigh
NEWS
Survey reaps new alumni benefits!
ALUMNI can now access the University of Melbourne’s most in-demand online journals, after results of the Alumni Preferences Survey showed a strong push for new benefits. Under the new offer, alumni will be able to use a diverse selection of the library’s electronic journals for an annual fee of $45.
This was one of four new alumni benefits launched by the University’s Alumni Relations Office this month, in response to initial findings of the ongoing Alumni Preferences Survey.
Other new benefits include discounts on boutique wine from Tallis Wine, Melbourne University Sport fitness membership and a membership allowing alumni to attend and host events at award-winning homes designed by renowned architect Robin Boyd. More than 8000 people have completed the survey since it was released in June. More than 75 percent of respondents were interested in alumni benefits and 89 percent of these people wanted access to the library’s online journals.
To find out more about the new range of offers for alumni, click here.
To read a detailed report of what alumni have told us and how we're responding, click here.
Survey prize draw extended
THE prize draw for the Alumni Preferences Survey 2008 has been extended until the end of the year. Simply take the survey by 31 December for your chance to win one of three $500 hotel accommodation vouchers. Those who have already taken the survey will automatically be entered into the draw. The survey aims to find out which alumni benefits, services and information are most useful to you. Results are already shaping the future direction of the Alumni Program.
Making the grade - Melbourne the only Australian uni to rank in top 30 in all five disciplines
MELBOURNE is the only Australian university to rank in the top 30 in the world in all five discipline areas, according to the Times Higher Education (THE) 2008 World University Rankings. The University’s world ranking for Arts is 16; Social Sciences, 19; Life Sciences and Biomedicine, 26; Natural Sciences, 27; and Engineering and IT, 28. Major global and national employers, from public and private sectors, ranked the University of Melbourne 9th in the world in a THE survey. A survey of more than 6300 academics around the world, who could not nominate their own university, saw Melbourne land in 21st place. More>>
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Look up to find an answer to energy issues
SHALLOW rooftop gardens could help Australian households dramatically slash their energy usage, if our native plants can thrive in rooftop conditions. This is why researchers at the University of Melbourne’s Burnley campus have launched an investigation into the suitability of ‘green roofs’ for the Australian climate. Researchers will examine the suitability of selected plants for green roofs by measuring their survival, growth rate and response to drought stress. Project leader Dr Nick Williams said green roofs had been successfully installed overseas as an adaptive response to climate change, by reducing the energy demands of urban buildings. “A Canadian study found that a green roof reduced daily energy use during summer by 75-90% compared to a control roof,” he said. More>>
"Rural Doctor of the Year" saves lives in ski fields and beyond
A RURAL GP who led the charge to modernise first aid and trauma management in his community and the Australian ski fields has been named Australia’s “Rural Doctor of the Year”. Mt Beauty-based alumnus Dr Mark Zagorski (MBBS 1976) boosted medical services in his town with the construction of a purpose-built medical centre and the purchase of an advanced X-ray system. He also drove fundraising efforts that raised many thousands of dollars for emergency equipment in Falls Creek. Described by the Rural Doctors Association of Australia as “the quintessential rural GP”, Dr Zagorski was awarded the title of Westpac RDAA Rural Doctor of the Year last month. More>>
Emerging as a leader on climate change issues
AN ALUMNA who is passionately leading a battle against climate change is one of two Australians to win a British Council award for young environmental leaders. Ellen Sandell (BA(2008)BSc(2008)) recently received the Emerging Leaders Award for her efforts to educate and inspire Victorian high school students to take action against climate change. Last year, as Environment Officer for the University of Melbourne Student Union, Ms Sandell launched an ongoing program called the State-wide Leadership in Environmental Action Program (LEAP).More>>
EVENTS
Explore the University by twilight
EXPLORE the University at night on a special twilight tour for alumni. Led by Dr Belinda Nemec, the University’s Cultural Collections coordinator, the tour will take place at the Parkville campus and will conclude with wine and canapés. Afterwards, you will have the chance to speak with experienced tour guides and learn how you can become involved in leading similar tours.
When: Wednesday 26 November, 6.30-8.30pm
Where: University House, University of Melbourne Parkville Campus (campus map)
RSVP and enquiries: Please contact Dallas Fisher by email or telephone +61 3 8344 1751 by Monday 17 November.
Polar explorer shares view from troubled Antarctica
AN extreme explorer and environmental scientist will share first-hand observations of the impact of climate change on the North and South Poles. Tim Jarvis, who holds two world records for polar exploring, will speak on polar caps and climate change at a public lecture on Wednesday 19 November. The explorer and author holds the world records for the longest unsupported journey in Antarctica and the fastest unsupported journey to the South Pole. Mr Jarvis recounted his experiences in his book, The Unforgiving Minute, which became a 2004 best seller. And earlier this year, Film Australia released a documentary about Mr Jarvis’ 2007 expedition that retraced the polar survival journal of Sir Douglas Mawson, using the same clothing, equipment and food that was available to Sir Mawson at the time. More>>
The tale of a terrorist who wasn't
AN Australian Muslim who was detained in Guantanamo Bay on suspicion of being involved in terrorism is set to share his story. Mamdouh Habib will join a public conversation in Melbourne this month, discussing the book he co-authored, My Story: The Tale of a Terrorist Who Wasn’t. Mr Habib was incarcerated in detention camps in Egypt, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Cuba for more than three years, after being accused of attending al-Qaeda training camps and training the 9/11 terrorists in martial arts. He was eventually released without charge and reunited with his wife and four children. Mr Habib will be joined by co-author Julia Collingwood and Professor Tim McCormack, Foundation Australian Red Cross Professor of International Humanitarian Law and director of the Asia Pacific Centre for Military Law for this public conversation on 18 November from 6-7pm. More>>
Tie a piece of tinsel 'round the old Oak tree - Sydney event
ALUMNI in Sydney are invited to mingle at an informal pre-Christmas lunch at the famous Oaks Hotel. Enjoy a relaxed outdoor meal at the alumni table under the Oak tree. Order your lunch from a cold buffet, a hot roast bar, the pizza kitchen or cook your own steak. Drinks and wine will be at bar prices – this event is “pay as you go” and will be held rain or shine.
When: Sunday 30 November, from 12:30pm
Where: Oaks Hotel, 118 Military Road, Neutral Bay.
RSVP: Max Burnet at mburnet@bigpond.net.au or 02-9484-6772.
Upcoming events - Arts, entertainment and leisure listing
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Reconnecting - Reunions and alumni gatherings
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LIFELONG LEARNING
Upcoming public lectures
Should international lawyers take a break from feminism? How is life after the apology to the Stolent Generations (an indigenous perspective)? What does it mean to speak of identity? These topics and more will be discussed in upcoming public lectures. Click here to view the Public Lectures listing.
Boost your business competency in Asia - Leadership program now open
BY 2020 one in four jobs will have vital links to Asia. The Asialink Leaders Program expands professional networks, builds Asia knowledge and cultural intelligence for emerging Australian leaders.Delivered in Melbourne and Sydney concurrently, the program is limited to 50 participants. Applications close 1 December 2008. More>>
New Lifelong Learning page
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EMPLOYMENT
Job of the Month: Research/Projects Officer
THE City of Whittlesea requires a Research / Projects Officer to assist with and support a variety of research projects. In this role you will analyse, develop and implement strategies and policies that will improve the operations and outcomes for the municipality. The ideal candidate will have a qualification in arts, planning or social sciences and will be skilled in research analysis, consultation and collation. You will also have a willingness to learn and apply project management methodologies and possess writing skills to produce high quality reports and presentations. To find out more about this position (Vacancy ID #45582) current students, recent graduates and alumni should log onto Careers Online at http://careersonline.acs.unimelb.edu.au/cae/studentscae/ with your student number and family name.
Careers@Melbourne
Positions available at the University of Melbourne.