June 2009

International student safety

You may be aware of recent reports regarding the assault on a group of Indian students and the hospitalisation of one of those students. The perpetrator of this assault has been caught and police have advised that this was a random attack that occurred at a party and was not a premeditated racial attack.

Two students from Swinburne were attending the party at which the assault took place. Our International Student Advisers are providing ongoing support to the students involved. We have been in contact with Victoria Police, the India Consul in Victoria, and we are in regular contact with the students.

Swinburne is concerned for the safety and well being of all of our students and we are continuing to offer every support we can.

Find out more about student safety and support available to international students at Swinburne.

Please note: Cashiering and ID card services will be unavailable at the Student Information Centres (SIC) on Friday 12 June at the Croydon, Lilydale, Prahran and Wantirna campuses. This is due to an SIC planning day.

New international student survey – lucky winners!

Almost one in three students – that's about 700 – participated in our recent survey of new international students. Congratulations to B. Dang, I. Ismail, W. Thai, F. Aisa and D. Abadi who won the draw for a Coles Group Gift Card valued at $100 each.

A big thank you to everyone who completed the survey. We're reviewing the results and will provide an update to all students later this year. Your responses will help us improve the quality of assistance and support we provide to all international students.

Watch them bend it like Beckham

The University Pathways Cup is just around the corner and our very own Swinburne College team is gearing up to take on eight other college teams from around Melbourne.

	When:	Saturday 13 June
	Where:	Monash University, Clayton campus

Swinburne will be providing buses to and from the event. The buses will leave Swinburne around 8.00am and should return at 5.00pm at the latest. Each player who brings a friend to the event will go into a draw to win 2 iPods!

Contact Mark Sinnott at pathwayscup2009@swin.edu.au or visit the Pathways Cup website for more information.

NEW! Analysing and Writing English unit

Do you want to enhance your English language skills, but feel like you don't have enough time in between your other study commitments?

Swinburne has developed a new Analysing and Writing English (HAT213) unit for students who wish to enhance their English language skills and gain credit towards their degree.

It will focus on reading, writing, listening, speaking and grammar; analysis of the English language; and research skills. You'll also learn how to monitor and assess your ability and how to implement strategies for your ongoing language development.

Analysing and Writing English is available as a Winter Term elective in 2009 and is open to students from all faculties. Contact your faculty office to enrol.

Not sure what to do with yourself after exams?

There's a good chance you probably won't want to do anything! But it could be a great chance to improve your English with Language and Academic Skills (LAS).

Improving your language skills doesn't have to be all work and no play. Having a better grasp of English can have a big impact on your enjoyment of everyday activities. Reading a book, watching TV and talking with other native speakers is much more enjoyable when you feel confident with your English.

LAS has lunchtime conversation groups every week day at the Hawthorn campus, Thursday at Lilydale and on Tuesday and Wednesday at Prahran. You can also make an individual appointment see one of our advisers who can help with any aspect of language learning.

Visit the Language and Academic Skills (LAS) website for full details.

From the Careers and Employment Unit

Make sure you take a look at the Careers and Employment website during the mid-semester break to find out about all of the services available to international students.

The website includes everything you'll need to know about finding work in Australia, including Swinburne's own employment database SwinEmploy which has hundreds of jobs updated daily. There's also guidelines for resumes, job application letters and interviews; voluntary work experience programs; links to potential employers and career-planning tools.

Of particular interest is the Going Global database which provides 30,000 pages of worldwide careers and employment information – including job vacancies, resume writing guidelines and examples, employment trends, salary ranges, corporate profiles and more!

Check out the Careers and Employment website for more information.

Volunteers needed at Prahran!

Volunteering is a great way to become part of the Swinburne community.

Tasks may include food handling, event management, e-mentoring, orientation, and administration.

You'll have the opportunity to make new friends as well as gaining valuable experience before leaving university. Depending on the area in which you volunteer, we offer training opportunities in food handling and first aid, and you can get a professional reference to help you with your job hunting.

Interested? Register on the SSAA website or email Alix at aaustin@swin.edu.au or phone (03) 9214 6724.

Need some independent advice?

SSAA Academic Advisers are here to help you with free, confidential and independent advice for a range of academic, administrative and personal issues.

They assist hundreds of students each year with grievances, discrimination, academic appeals, progress review meetings, special consideration, academic misconduct hearings (for example an allegation of plagiarism) and harassment matters.

They'll listen to your issues and provide unbiased advice on the best way forward.

Click here for more information about SSAA Academic Advisers on your campus.

From the Swinburne Health Service

International students are reminded that safety is paramount. Think safe! Be safe!

Personal safety
Dial 000 for emergency services – ambulance , fire or police – from any phone. (Dial 112 if you're calling from a locked mobile phone.)
Dial 3333 for Swinburne Security on each campus.
Phone the Victorian Poisons Information Centre anytime on 131 126.

Road safety
Adhere to the designated speed limits on Victorian roads.
Use a seatbelt at all times when you are a driver or a passenger in a vehicle.
It is a legal requirement to wear a bike helmet at all times when riding a bike.
Be seen at all times when crossing the road, in particular wear bright clothes at night time.

Party safety
Drinking in public places is not allowed. Avoid drink spiking by holding onto your drink at all times and don't share drinks. Purchase drinks with the cap securely in place. Avoid dangerous places at night.

For more information, you can visit the following websites:

• Victoria Police
• Vic Roads
• PartySafe

Get into the outback and more with SSAA

SSAA's upcoming trip to the Northern Territory is selling fast, so get in quick as there are only a few places available. (22 June–3 July.) You'll be able to spend 12 days exploring Australia's amazing Red Centre and, as a Swinburne student, it'll only cost you $600!

There's also a trip to snowfields in Mount Hotham from Friday 14–Sunday 16 August. The trip includes lift passes, lessons, equipment hire, accommodation, transport to and from the mountain, breakfast and dinner for two days, drink specials for one night of the trip.

Last, but not least, the Postgraduate Student Advisory Group (PSAG) is looking to organise a four-day trip along the east coast of Tasmania in September. It will be subsidised by SSAA and will only cost $500 for Swinburne students.

Check out the SSAA website for more details about all of these trips.

What's on in Melbourne?

Looking for some fun in the city? Check out what's happening in and around Melbourne in the coming months.