e:Connect March 2008
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THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL OFFERS FOR YOU WIN! Dendy double passes to Death Defying Acts SAVE! 20% off Sydney Symphony tickets WIN! Tickets to The Day Words Festival SAVE! Discount tickets from Musica Viva |
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Professional Development Seminar - Develop your career Enfoldings & Disclosures at UTS:Gallery 2008 UTS Alumni Awards 20th Anniversary Cocktail Event |
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UTS short courses Short business courses and executive development The Australian Centre for Independent Journalism short courses |
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YOU CAN HELP MAKE UTS AN EVEN BETTER UNIVERSITY Invest in knowledge: buy a UTS library book Consider support for scholarships at UTS |
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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT UTS New hybrid car hits the road |
| ALUMNI BENEFITS |
UTS Fitness Centre membership
Registered UTS:Alumni members receive discounted membership at the UTS Union Fitness Centre. The Fitness Centre is located on Harris Street, Broadway, and is open Monday to Friday, 6am-9pm, and Saturdays, 9am-3pm.
With qualified staff to help you achieve your health and fitness goals, the Fitness Centre's competitive prices are hard to beat! Membership prices are as follows:
UTS STUDENT, STAFF AND ALUMNI
1 casual visit - $8.50
1 month - $79
3 months - $157
6 months - $260
UTS STUDENT ADVANTAGE CARD
3 months - $125
6 months - $208
NEW 10-VISIT PASS
The new 10-visit pass is just $74 for UTS students, staff and alumni, or $100 for the general public.
For more information, visit the UTS Union.
For a full list of UTS:Alumni benefits, please visit the Member Benefits section on the UTS:Alumni website.
| ALUMNI NEWS |
UTS's sustainability overhaul
The UTS Sustainability Taskforce has been working behind the scenes to roll out a sustainability revolution at the University. Duha Zaater, Sustainability Taskforce Coordinator, says the taskforce couldn't wait to implement some initiatives which include motion sensor controlled air-conditioning throughout all UTS buildings, inclusion of Greenpower energy and waterless urinals.
Duha, a UTS MBA graduate, says the project is like a rough diamond that they are perfecting. "Directly, there are around 50 people working on the sustainability projects. Indirectly, hundreds of people are contributing from areas such as the Faculty of Business, Science and Engineering and the Institute of Sustainable Futures (ISF)."
The Sustainability Taskforce started as a seed planted by the UTS Manager for Environment Health and Safety, Sue Kirk, in 1997 has grown into six target areas: Recycling and Waste Management; Transport; Energy; Water; Procurement; and Planning. A group is also working on the integration of sustainability practice into UTS course curricula.
To coincide with UTS's sustainability initiative, UTS:Alumni is launching a new network: the Sustainability Network. The Network is committed to developing an awareness of sustainable practices both locally and internationally. Working closely with ISF and the Sustainability Taskforce, there will be workshops and training sessions available for alumni in the coming months.
To join or inquire about the Sustainability Network, contact the UTS:Alumni & Development Office via alumni@uts.edu.au or phone +61 2 9514 9861. To find out more about the Sustainability Taskforce, visit the sustainability website.
A true Inspiration in Indonesia
The winners of the inaugural Australian Alumni Awards were announced at a gala awards dinner in Jakarta on Saturday 16 February. The dinner, which was supported by UTS and 11 other Australian universities, attracted 650 guests.
The Inspiration Awards, which were special awards given out on the night, were won by six outstanding alumni whose work, either in a professional or voluntary capacity, is truly an inspiration to others. One of the Inspiration Awardees for 2008 was Miranda Risang Ayu (pictured), a graduate from the UTS Masters of Law.
Miranda is now a lecturer in the Faculty of Law at Padjadjaran University in Bandung. She has made, and continues to make, an invaluable contribution to the Indonesian legal system and society. As a mother and wife, she has successfully managed family responsibilities while researching, teaching, writing books and drafting important Indonesian legislation.
"It's wonderful to receive this award," says Miranda. "It is appreciation for what I have done: I never thought people would notice! It will encourage me to do better in the future."
Join the Indonesian Network!
UTS:Alumni is establishing a new Alumni Network: the Indonesian Network. Events will be organised through the UTS:Alumni Office that will enable Indonesian alumni to reunite and build their social and business contacts. Please contact the UTS:Alumni office via alumni@uts.edu.au or phone +61 2 9514 9861 if you are interested in joining the new network.
| ALUMNI EVENTS |
Professional Development Seminar - Develop your career
Do you want to improve your technique for employment interviews? Or hear about new professional positions before the rest of the market? Then head along to UTS:Alumni's first Professional Development Seminar for the year.
The seminar will be hosted by Joyce Yong, UTS Business Network President and Principal of recruitment firm J-Yes Consulting, and a panel of HR and recruitment specialists. Discussion will focus on how you can best prepare for interviews, the latest trends in the labour market and the new skills employers are seeking in candidates.
It will also coincide with the launch of a new web-based job service that will be available exclusively to UTS alumni. Here you will find listings of the latest professional positions from Sydney to Shanghai, all via the alumni website.
Date: Tuesday 11 March 2008
Time: 6-8pm
Venue: Gallery Function Centre, Level 6, UTS Tower Building, City campus
Cost: $10 including drinks and canapés
RSVP: Thursday 6 March 2008 to alumni@uts.edu.au or call +61 2 9514 9861
Places are strictly limited, so book your seat today!
Enfoldings & Disclosures at UTS:Gallery
Enfoldings & Disclosures will showcase anatomically-inspired sculptures and drawings by Lisa Jones alongside Heart Library Project, a new interactive work by George Khut, with collaborators Caitlin Newton-Broad, Greg Turner and David Morris-Oliveros. The exhibition opens on Tuesday 11 March and runs till Friday 11 April. For details about free public events and further information about Enfoldings & Disclosures, please visit www.utsgallery.uts.edu.au
2008 UTS Alumni Awards
All UTS alumni are invited to attend the 2008 Alumni Awards, to be held on Wednesday 2 April. The Awards celebrate the outstanding professional and voluntary achievements of UTS alumni, staff and students. UTS takes this opportunity to recognise the contribution alumni make to the community through innovation, professional practice, leadership and community service. We look forward to seeing you on the night.
Date: Wednesday 2 April 2008
Time: 6-8:30pm
Venue: UTS City campus, Chancellery, Level 4, Tower Building
Cost: Free
RSVP: Friday 28 March 2008 to alumni@uts.edu.au or call +61 2 9514 9861
20th Anniversary Cocktail Event
In 2008, UTS celebrates its 20th anniversary as a university. To mark the creation of UTS and to highlight plans for the next decade, the University is hosting a week-long series of events.
All alumni of UTS and its antecedent organisations are invited to a special cocktail event on Tuesday 27 May. Join your fellow alumni to celebrate this milestone in UTS's history and hear about your University's exciting plans for the future.
The cocktail event will be hosted by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ross Milbourne. Mingle with fellow alumni and enjoy cocktails to the sounds of a jazz quartet. We look forward to seeing you there.
Date: Tuesday 27 May 2008
Time: 6-8:30pm
Venue: UTS City campus, Chancellery, Level 4, Tower Building
Cost: Free. Event includes cocktails and a live jazz quartet
RSVP: Monday 19 May 2008 to alumni@uts.edu.au or call +61 2 9514 9861
| ALUMNI NETWORKS |
JOIN a UTS:Alumni Network Today!
Are you interested in opportunities for social and professional networking with alumni from your faculty, or who live in the same region, or work in the same field as you? Then join a UTS:Alumni Network and keep in touch with the friends and colleagues from your university days and meet more UTS people.
Alumni members are closely involved in running networks, with support from the Alumni & Development Office. Graduates are welcome to join an existing alumni network, or can set up a new alumni network with assistance from the Alumni & Development Office.
For a full list of active UTS:Alumni Networks click here.
If your preferred Network is not up and running yet, why not contact the Alumni & Development Office to discuss setting up additional networks?
P. 9514 9861 or E. alumni@uts.edu.au
| GRADUATE PROFILE |
Tackling asthma in Jordan
Asthma is an unwelcome familiarity for over two million Australians. At the height of an asthma attack, the muscles around the airways tighten, obstructing attempts to breathe. "Unless there is immediate action, people can lose their lives," says Nihaya Al-Sheyab, a Masters of Nursing graduate.
As part of her UTS PhD, Nihaya has begun a study into peer-led asthma education back in her home country of Jordan, a nation where asthma cases have tripled since 1994. "In Jordan, there are kids and adults with asthma who have never been diagnosed by a doctor... They just come to the hospital when they feel the asthma, but they've never used preventative medications."
Following a successful pilot study, Nihaya recently began a full program, using 261 students from four Jordanian schools. "The aim of my study was to trial the Triple A program - which is the adolescent asthma action program," she says.
The program works in a peer-led manner and focuses on smoking as the prime cause of asthma attacks. A group of Year 11 students are chosen as asthma peer leaders (APL) and undergo training about asthma. "They learn to say no to smoking," she says. The Year 11 students then teach Year 10 students, who transform what they've learned into poetry and drama to teach those in lower grades.
"The students just loved it," says Nihaya. According to her findings, students exposed to the Triple A program showed an improvement in their quality of life and awareness of the disease. "We measured the emotional, physical and symptoms-based quality of life before and three months later... It was surprising how it has improved."
Please keep us updated with your career news, or any achievements and awards you may have received. We are preparing our next e:Connect and would love to hear from you.
Email your career news to alumni@uts.edu.au
| THIS MONTHS SPECIAL OFFERS FOR YOU |
WIN! Dendy double passes to Death Defying Acts
UTS:Alumni has five double in-season passes to Death Defying Acts. One of this year's most anticipated releases, Death Defying Acts is a quality mainstream film and the latest project by renowned Australian director Gillian Armstrong.
To enter, email alumni@uts.edu.au by close of business on Friday 7 March. Winners will be selected at random and notified by email.
About Death Defying Acts
When famous escape artist Harry Houdini (Guy Pearce) arrives in Edinburgh and offers a $10,000 reward to anyone who can contact his mother from beyond the grave, a beautiful but deceptive psychic (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and her young 'sidekick' daughter (Academy Award nominee for Atonement, Saoirse Ronan) take the challenge.
As Houdini spends time with this mysterious woman, he is beguiled by her charms, and what begins as a con evolves into a far more complicated and dangerous affair.
The Australian/UK production combines elements of deception, mystery and love with an amazing ensemble cast. It is due for release in Australia on Thursday 13 March.
SAVE! 20% off Sydney Symphony tickets
The Sydney Symphony is delighted to offer a 20% discount to UTS:Alumni members on selected concerts during the 2008 season. Discounted tickets are available now for Shostakovich 8 and Kalkadungu. To book, call the Sydney Symphony Box Office on +61 2 8215 4600 and quote "promotion code 1406". Terms and conditions apply.
Shostakovich 8
Intense, grief-stricken, bitter and one of the essential works of 20th-century art, Shostakovich's Eighth Symphony is a requiem, secretly dedicated to the victims of Stalin's war on his own country. UTS alumni receive 20% off tickets to the 8pm performances on Wednesday 26 March, Friday 28 March and Saturday 29 March at the Sydney Opera House. To find out more about the concert, click here.
Didgeridoo meets Orchestra
Join us for the world premiere of a new Australian work, Kalkadungu! Matthew Hindson, one of the most sought-after Australian composers of his generation meets Australia's leading didgeridoo virtuoso, William Barton. With an eclectic style that blends pop art and high art, Hindson's work blurs the lines between rock concert and concert hall. UTS alumni receive 20% off tickets to the Sydney Opera House performances on Wednesday 2 April at 6.30pm, Thursday 3 April at 6.30pm and Friday 4 April at 11am. To find out more about the concert, click here.
WIN! Tickets to The Day Words Festival
The State Library of NSW's SL U35 club is giving away three double passes to Spoken Word: A Performing Art and Words with Linda Jaivin - both performances are part of The Day Words Festival. To win, be one of the first two people to email slu35@sl.nsw.gov.au with "Day Words Comp" in the subject line.
Spoken Word: A Performing Art
Top Australian performers explore the heart and soul of creating words for the stage. Featuring Sydney's favourite poet, Tug Dumbly, singer and performance artist, Edwina Blush, and Australian Poetry Slam '07 winner, Marc Testart. It will be held on Saturday 8 March, 1.45-2.45pm, in the Dixon Room at the State Library of NSW and chaired by Regina Botros.
Words with Linda Jaivin
Linda Jaivin is an international bestseller (author of Eat Me, Dead Sexy) with a penchant for poets. It will be held on Saturday 8 March, 3-3.45pm, in the Dixon Room at the State Library of NSW and chaired by Regina Botros.
For more information about the free SL U35 club, visit the State Library of NSW website.
SAVE! Discount tickets from Musica Viva
Musica Viva is offering alumni a 20% ticket discount (A & B Reserve) to The Goldner String Quartet & Steven Osborne on Saturday 8 March at the City Recital Hall. Described by The Sydney Morning Herald as "this country's indisputably pre-eminent chamber music ensemble", The Goldner String Quartet joins Steven Osborne to open the Musica Viva 2008 National Concert Series, with two of the world's most popular piano quintets by Shostakovich and Schumann.
To book, call +61 2 8256 2222 or click here and quote the promotion code "Goldner". For more information on the concert, visit www.musicaviva.com.au.
Alumni travel deals
Want to leave the rat race behind and do something completely different? UTS:Alumni can access special travel deals. With lots on offer, from dolphin watching to a bushwalk in the Blue Mountains, there's plenty to satisfy itchy feet! Here's a small taste of what's coming up:
Dolphin watching - Saturday 15 March, $89 for alumni
A fantastic day of fun, dolphins and sailing on the blue waters of Port Stephens. See these beautiful creatures up close on a cruiser, then stop for lunch in Nelson Bay and go for a dip at Stockton Beach on the way home.
Hunter Valley - Saturday 5 April, $89 for alumni
Visit three top wineries and sample a large range of their wines while nibbling on fresh local produce like mustards, breads and cheeses. Experience the beautiful national parks and magnificent sandstone cuttings found along the Hawkesbury River on the way home.
Blue Mountains - Sunday 6 April, $79 for alumni
Visit the spectacular sights of the Blue Mountains such as Featherdale Wildlife Park, before bushwalking through the Blue Mountains National Park. Take photos of the Three Sisters and hold on tight as you ride the world's steepest railway up and out of the Jamison Valley. Finish the day with a visit to Olympic Park.
To find out more or to book your travel adventure, call the UTS:Sports and Recreation Office on +61 2 9514 1454.
| LIFELONG LEARNING AT UTS |
UTS short courses
Registered members of UTS:Alumni are entitled to a 10% discount on selected short courses. Take advantage of this offer to further your education at Australia's top-ranked university for teaching and learning.
The alumni discount is applied at the discretion of course administrators. Please confirm if the discount is applicable when registering for your short course. For a comprehensive list of all UTS short courses, please visit: http://www.shortcourses.uts.edu.au/.
Short business courses and executive development
A range of intensive short courses is offered to the general public. These courses are delivered by UTS lecturers or industry specialists on the city campus or in corporate venues nearby. The UTS Executive Development Unit offers a wide range of short programs in accounting, conflict resolution, team building, business negotiation, entrepreneurship, management, business skills and more. Most short courses have no entry requirements.
For further information please click here.
The Australian Centre for Independent Journalism Short Courses
The Australian Centre for Independent Journalism (ACIJ) is the leading provider of continuing professional education short courses in journalism and media education. Upcoming courses include:
Teeline Shorthand Theory & Speed Development
This course teaches Teeline shorthand, which is a system of fast writing. UTS alumni can attend at the discounted rate of $680. It will be held from Wednesday 9 April to Wednesday 16 July, 6-9pm, over 15 consecutive Wednesdays.
Writing for Publication with Jenna Price
The course covers grammar, defining news, structure and planning, identifying a target audience, headline writing, interviewing techniques and media releases. UTS alumni can attend at the discounted rate of $720. It will be held from Monday 14 April to Wednesday 16 April, 9.30am-4.30pm, for the three days.
Writing for the Web with Marcus O'Donnell
This course is aimed at people who write material for publishing on Internet sites or those needing to convert printed publications to web publications. UTS alumni can attend at the discounted rate of $585. It will be held over Thursday 17 April and Friday 18 April, 9.30am to 4.30pm both days.
Sub Editing Fundamentals with Dani Cooper
This course covers the essentials of sub editing, proofreading, layout and design for print publications. Basic concepts of page layout using InDesign will also be covered. UTS alumni can attend at the discounted rate of $1,025. It will be held over four days, Monday 21 April to Thursday 24 April, 9.30am to 4.30pm.
Places are limited, so please contact Tameera Kemp on +61 2 9514 2488 or acij@uts.edu.au to enrol. Visit the website for further information.
| YOU CAN HELP MAKE UTS AN EVEN BETTER UNIVERSITY |
Invest in knowledge: buy a UTS library book
UTS enjoys a strong reputation based on a total educational package. This includes the excellent teaching and learning resources provided by the UTS Library.
Please consider making an investment in knowledge by purchasing one or more library books. You will be supporting thousands of students eager to learn! Every book purchased will be acknowledged with a special nameplate showing the name of the donor or someone nominated by the donor.
Many alumni have purchased books for the collection and honoured friends and family members by giving a book in their name.
Please click here to make your knowledge investment.
Support scholarships at UTS
This year, UTS is working to increase the funds available to enable disadvantaged students to complete a course at the University. UTS is appealing to the business community, UTS staff, alumni and other generous people to help the University fund scholarships for students in need.
Donations to the fund are fully tax-deductible and your contribution will be of lasting benefit to the students and to society. Already many students, from disadvantaged backgrounds or with disabilities, have benefited from this generous support.
I would like to support a scholarship at UTS.