STUDENT PROFILES

ALUMNI PROFILE

College Alumnus Wins New York Posting

Daniel Pearce
Daniel graduated from the ANU with a Bachelor of Economics/Bachelor of Commerce double degree in 2003 and has been working at Macquarie Bank in Sydney ever since. Whilst a student at ANU, Daniel was a resident at John XXIII College for three years and in his third year was elected President of the College.

“I thoroughly enjoyed receiving my education at ANU and when people ask which university is the finest, I have no hesitation in suggesting ANU. I believe in the university's past and its future” said Daniel.

Daniel was posted to New York with Macquarie Bank in 2006. His office is located at the New York Board of Trade which is one of the few 'open outcry' trading floors left in the world as most floors are now automated. He will be working with Macquarie's Agricultural Commodities team assisting the trading of sugar futures and options. Macquarie Bank services a world-wide client base executing orders for clients from Australia to Honduras.

STUDENT PROFILES

NUR SHAHITHA MOHD NOOR

Nur Shahitha Mohd Noor (Shahitha) completed Foundation Studies at ANU College in 2007, gaining a Distinction average.  She is studying a double degree in Arts and Commerce at ANU.
I wanted to go to ANU because of their university ranking, and because I wanted to do a double degree including Arts and not many universities have that option.  I also knew students who had studied here and they told me ANU was a good university and Canberra was a good environment for study.  ANU College was a good choice because not only does it provide entry to ANU but you also have the choice of applying to other universities, something courses at other institutions don’t allow.

I am studying Arts/Commerce and enjoy it.  Arts are really good because the variety of choices is interesting.  I found the Foundation Studies essay writing and tutorials skills I learned helped a lot in studying Arts.  Referencing was also very useful to learn because I use it all the time.

Homestay was the best place ever.  I felt like a member of the family and I really really enjoyed living there.  They helped me adjust to Australia faster since it was my first time away from home.  I even went on holidays with my host sister back to Singapore and to Malaysia.

I now live a Fenner Hall and it is awesome.  Fenner has a lot of events that get everyone together and you meet a lot of people from different places and courses including Masters and PhD students.  Fenner also has a free bus from the Hall to Campus and will collect you from uni at any time of night, to give you a safe ride home.

STUDENT PROFILES

“I have learnt so much about myself over the past one and a half years at CIT.”

Vanessa Emmanuel, Sri Lanka

Vanessa is studying the Diploma of Children’s Services to gain her qualifications in child care. “I often think about what my life was like in Sri Lanka, how far I have come and the many things I have achieved since I left. I have learnt a lot about diversity, values and respect for one another and different cultures.”

After completing her Diploma in Children’s Services, Vanessa is planning to further her studies at university with a Bachelor in Early Childhood Education. She looks forward to the day when she will return to Sri Lanka, bringing with her all the skills and knowledge she has learned through her studies in Australia.

“I want to take the knowledge that I have learned back to my country and show my people the real meaning of caring for children and just how important it is,” she said.

STUDENT PROFILES

Manish Kumar

A thirst for knowledge, a love for challenge and a little help from ANU have made Manish Kumar the leader he is today, Vice President of a software development company with a large global client base.

With an MBA under his belt and several years of management experience in India, Manish undertook the ANU Master of Management program and graduated in 2 specialities, Innovation and Commercialisation and Project Management.

“The programs at the ANU College of Business and Economics have strengthened my leadership capacity. The College's culture immerses the world's most promising managers in a transformational experience that fosters professional, intellectual, and personal development. Every program is designed to challenge business executives to grow as leaders and to shape dominant ideas into decisive action plans, and to think and manage differently in a changing business world. My term at ANU has been instrumental for expanding my understanding of external forces shaping global competition, and improving my performance as a leader.”

Manish’s most memorable experience at ANU was discussing business cultures with the Ambassadors of Chile and Brazil.

“It was a learning experience for me to meet them in person, interact with them, and share my views about different aspects of business culture in their country  and its impact on a global scale.”

STUDENT PROFILES

Pregnancy didn’t deter one UC graduate

The University of Canberra prides itself in integrating practical workplace experience into its degrees, but graduate Sally Mcrae took homework to a new level.

From music to midwifery, that is the development of Sally McRae as she graduated from University of Canberra with a Graduate Diploma in Midwifery.

Ms McRae attended graduation with her new born bay in her arms having given birth only 24 hours earlier. “I have missed all my previous graduations and I was determined, unless in labour that I was not going to miss this one,” she said.

Ms McRae already has degrees in music and nursing under her belt, but after a eight year career in music as a pianist and conductor and after her first two children wanted to undertake a midwifery course.

The experience of having children is one of the main reason’s Ms McRae wanted the professional expertise of a degree in midwifery.

In accepting her testamur with newborn Jessie in her arm’s Ms McRae said, ““I’ve got 11 midwives here to help me if I need anything.”

Ms McRae said her pregnancy hadn’t been a practical focus of the course, but her classmates were “certainly interested”.

 She now plans to take six months off before returning to work as a midwife. Baby Jessie who was born weighing 3 point 4 kilograms at 2.30pm on the 28 August appeared to take the graduation ceremony in her stride. No doubt mum and dad are hoping to be seated in the audience one day when she accepts a testamur on her own two legs.

STUDENT PROFILES

Ausaid students

The University of Canberra July graduation ceremony included overseas students who studied with the assistance of Ausaid scholarships.

Tanzanian born Rahima Dossa graduated with a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Canberra.

The issues of poverty and HIV-Aids concern in her country concern Ms Dossa the most and she believes that her Masters will give her the opportunity to work in the public sector in Tanzania and help develop policy in this area.

“Having worked with the UN and World Bank, I am really passionate about creating awareness of the HIV-Aids problems in my country.

“It is important that we get the message to all the young people through better education and programs”, she said.

The desire to help his country was the driving factor for Syed Hossain to complete a Masters in International Customs Law and Administration at the University of Canberra.

Mr Syed Hossain from Bangladesh also attended university under an Ausaid Australian Leadership Awards Scholarship and graduated with a Masters in International Law and Administration..

“I want to be able to help my country develop and by becoming a better researcher I think I can help do this. My Master’s will enable me to assist my country through my greater knowledge and confidence when I work with my peers.

“I am sure this will open up new horizons for me when I get back home and I will look forward to working in International trade once I return home. I love Australia, everyone is so tolerant it is a great multi-cultural society and everyone was always willing to help, from the academics to students,” he said. Mr Hossain has spent the past 18 months in Australia along with his wife and two year old daughter.

Ausaid scholarships are developed for those individuals who have the potential to assume leadership roles that can influence social and economic policy in their individual countries.

STUDENT PROFILES

Wan Yiu (Thomas) Lee

(graduated from ANU College with high distinction 1 June 2007 and is now majoring in Finance at ANU)

I am from Hong Kong and studied Form 7 at high school. I decided to come to Australia to develop my English ability. In Hong Kong, it is important to have high-level oral skills for future employment. I also noted that ANU has a higher ranking than any university in Hong Kong. Canberra was an attractive choice, as I prefer a smaller and quieter city. It has a friendly atmosphere and is good for study.

While at ANU College, I learned how to research, write and reference English essays. As well, I was given good training in paraphrasing to avoid any problems of plagiarism. The presentation skills learned in my College tutorials will help me greatly at university. It was possible for me to study Physics on campus through ANU College. While there, I could interact with domestic students, learn to write lab reports and follow proper experimental procedures. In addition, I learned to be self-disciplined and independent.

On arrival at ANU College, accommodation with an Australian family was arranged. It allowed me to easily integrate into the lifestyle of Canberra; home stay families help students open bank accounts and provide a glimpse into Australian culture. At this time, I am living at the Unilodge on campus. I am sharing an apartment with students from Hong Kong and Malaysia. We take turns cooking our favourite meals; it is interesting.

My social life is satisfying. I keep in touch with friends from ANU College and do not feel lonely or isolated. There are many university clubs, including one organised by students from Hong Kong. One upcoming event that I plan to attend is the International Ball.

I have just started classes at ANU. There are already many pieces of homework and even surprise quizzes, but I am confident about the future. The time spent at ANU College has prepared me for the challenges ahead.

STUDENT PROFILES

“If I could sum up Australia in one word, it would be ‘Awesome!”

Dhruv Modi, India

Dhruv chose the Canberra Institute of Technology - CIT because the CIT was the best place to study the Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management. He has found the staff at the CIT always available to help out when needed.

Dhruv has found Canberra to be a very nice place to live and study and commented on his experience here so far “Canberra is such a peaceful city and the people are very friendly. There are just so many opportunities in Canberra. I think overall what I like so much about Canberra and Australia is that it is a multicultural society”.

In just over ten months of studying his Advanced Diploma, Dhruv feels he has gained so much knowledge already. He said “now I can work anywhere without a hesitation, I can also provide my organisation with better ideas” With these newly acquired skills Dhruv has set goals of managing a five star hotel in the future.

STUDENT PROFILES

“It can be scary to leave everything behind and come to a new country to study. But everybody has been so friendly and welcoming that I quickly felt at home.”

Edward O’Callaghan, UK

Edward has been tinkering with electronics for as long as he can remember. He designed and built a sixvalve amplifier at the age of twelve, so nobody was surprised when he said he wanted to study electronic engineering. But in Australia?

“When I made the decision to come here, one of my motivations was cost,” explains Edward. “The cost of living and education in London are very high, so I thought that instead of being stuck there I’d try my luck in a young and dynamic country like Australia.”

Edward is in the first year of an Advanced Diploma of Engineering (Electronic). What does he think of his learning? “There’s a great balance between practical and applied learning at CIT. I discovered a lot about electronics from fiddling around for so many years, but this has left gaps in my knowledge which CIT is helping me to fill. Plus there’s a huge demand for engineering graduates, so I’ll never be out of a job.

STUDENT PROFILES

Amina Benhima

“It is a privilege to build on this earth and we need to recognise the natural elements we are surrounded by.”

That is the philosophy recent U C graduate in Interior Design Amina Benhima intends to apply to her working life.

She said she wants to have a thorough understanding of the industry and the times we live in so she can apply those changes to the changing conditions.

Miss Benhima completed her schooling at Illawarra senior college before heading to Enmore Design Centre and then transferred to the University of Canberra.

“I loved the study at the University and really enjoyed the academic environment. I am really passionate about philosophy and enjoyed those aspects of study along with design history,” she said.

Interior Design also included an introduction to architecture and Miss Benhima believes there is a need to design from the inside out to make use of the natural environment in man made structures.

Interiors Australia recognised Miss Benima’s commitment by offering her a position following an exhibition of the University of Canberra student’s work in the ACT.

STUDENT PROFILES

Miyoko Hodson

A love of teaching has brought Miyoko Hodson back to study. She recently graduated from the University of Canberra with a Diploma of Education enabling her to now teach in schools in Australia.

“I taught English literature in Japan for many years, however when I arrived in Australia I found I had to do more study before being able to teach here.

I decided to stay at home and raise my children, now my youngest is off to primary school so I thought it was time to go back to University,” she said.

Ms Hodson added that she was really looking forward to getting back to teaching and plans to teach Japanese in ACT schools.

“I loved my time at the University and you never know I might return in a few years to do another degree,” said Ms Hodson.

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