By Melissa Westwood April 12 2011
Changes to the immigration act have dashed the hopes of many international students of gaining permanent residency in Australia upon completion of their studies.
Introduced in 2010, these changes were designed to limit the number of students staying on in Australia and to refocus immigration policy onto filling the gaps in the labour force which has seen the Commonwealth Skilled Occupation List (SOL) reduced from 400 to 130.
For many students the numbers of job opportunities have disappeared including that of University of Notre Dame communications student, David Lough.
“I came here thinking I was going to have a lot more opportunities than I have,” said Mr Lough.
“It’s a little disheartening that mid-way the rules of the game have changed, especially considering I pay $1000 a term to go here.”
Earlier this year Immigration Minister, Chris Bowen, conducted an interview on ABC Radio National talking about the issue of international students gaining permanent residency.
“...they came to Australia to study, frankly, courses which were designed to maximise their chance for permanent residency – courses such as hairdressing and cookery and others – and when they were removed from the Skilled Occupation List because there wasn’t a view that they were needed, skilled migration in those particular areas, then it did become harder for those people to become permanent residents,” he said.
“I think it’s very important to the nation on a whole range of levels that we have a very strong international student presence in Australia, but I’m also of the view that our skilled migration should be driven by the needs of the economy.”
While some changes to the Immigration Act have made it more difficult for some students to get a visa this is not always the case, said Elda Rizk, the International Student Coordinator at the University of Notre Dame.
“Old regulations emphasised that students had to have full-time work experience that was related to their degree, casual work at Woolworths or Coles didn’t count,” she said.
“Now new changes to regulations allow students who have no work experience to apply for permanent residency.”
Applicants for permanent residency and work or students' visas must prove their competence under the International English Testing System (IELTS), which is relied upon by the Department of Immigration.
Showing posts with label Campus News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Campus News. Show all posts
Monday, 2 May 2011
Friday, 3 December 2010
Notre Dame celebrates the canonisation of Australia's first Saint
As pilgrims flocked to Rome for the canonisation of Australia's first Saint, Mary MacKillop, The University of Notre Dame Australia also celebrated the momentous occasion in an uplifting day of fun, music, laughter and festivities.
Filling the streets of its Fremantle Campus with thousands coming to bear witness to the significant event, Notre Dame came alive with the energy of remembrance and celebration of the remarkable life of Saint MacKillop.
Sparing no detail in the recollection of Blessed Mary's legacy, Notre Dame invited the public to learn and understand her life via interactive stalls, lectures, music and games.
Travelling by ferry down the Swan River to arrive in Fremantle for the official welcome, the Sisters of St Joseph and 'friends' were led down Mouat Street by bagpipers, in honour of Mary MacKillop's Scottish background.
As the afternoon drew closer to the official canonisation, Notre Dame opened its halls and lecture theatres inviting the public to come together and witness the live streaming of the event direct from Rome.
In her official welcome, Notre Dame's Vice Chancellor, Professor Celia Hammond, said the University was indebted to the pioneering work of Mary MacKillop, who, alongside other religious orders, established the foundation of Catholic education in Australia.
"Today we celebrate Mother Mary MacKillop not simply for what she did but for how she did it," said Professor Hammond.
"We celebrate and marvel at the example she set, her tenacity, her courage, her wisdom and her strength. But above all, we celebrate and take joy in the witness she gave to God.
"Mother Mary was an ordinary woman made extraordinary by her love and faith in God. Let us all learn and take inspiration from this very special and blessed woman."
Notre Dame's Mary MacKillop Festival attracted a crowd of over 5000 people and was supported by 250 staff and student volunteers.
Notre Dame takes home Doug Ellis trophy
To cap a remarkable week at the Australian University Games, The University of Notre Dame Australia has won the Doug Ellis trophy, for the first time in its history, for excellent performance in a range of competitive sports.
Awarded to the best performing university on a per capita basis of total student population, the Doug Ellis trophy is a Champion award and a great honour for participating students of Notre Dame.
A record total of 121 Notre Dame students competed at the Games, with 112 students participating from the Fremantle Campus and 9 from the Sydney Campus.
Notre Dame’s Student Life Office Manager, David McLean, said he was thrilled with the result and proud of each individual student for an impressive effort in their respective sports.
“Our men’s volleyball team fought out an epic final and won the silver medal. The men’s hockey team won a bronze medal defeating Deakin University 7-1 in the bronze medal match and our men’s tennis team won their bronze medal playoff match to take home a medal, after winning three rubbers to nil,” said Mr McLean.
Mr McLean said the other teams to impress included the mixed touch team, mixed beach volleyball, rugby 7’s, lawn bowls and mixed netball teams.
“Our individual athletes also did an amazing job throughout the week, with two silver medals on the track, a bronze in sailing, and some great results in swimming and golf with numerous personal bests across the sports,” he said.
“Congratulations to all students that competed. Without the contribution of everyone, we would never have taken home the silverware, and made the 2010 Australian University Games one to remember."
In commenting on the size of the Notre Dame contribution compared to larger competing universities, Mr McLean said size didn’t matter when it came to giving your all.
“It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog!” he said.
Mr McLean acknowledged the hard work of Fremantle Campus Sports Officer, Jaimee Montgomery and Sydney Campus Student Life Officer, Matthew Bennett, for their tireless effort and commitment in coordinating the Notre Dame team at the Games.
Awarded to the best performing university on a per capita basis of total student population, the Doug Ellis trophy is a Champion award and a great honour for participating students of Notre Dame.
A record total of 121 Notre Dame students competed at the Games, with 112 students participating from the Fremantle Campus and 9 from the Sydney Campus.
Notre Dame’s Student Life Office Manager, David McLean, said he was thrilled with the result and proud of each individual student for an impressive effort in their respective sports.
“Our men’s volleyball team fought out an epic final and won the silver medal. The men’s hockey team won a bronze medal defeating Deakin University 7-1 in the bronze medal match and our men’s tennis team won their bronze medal playoff match to take home a medal, after winning three rubbers to nil,” said Mr McLean.
Mr McLean said the other teams to impress included the mixed touch team, mixed beach volleyball, rugby 7’s, lawn bowls and mixed netball teams.
“Our individual athletes also did an amazing job throughout the week, with two silver medals on the track, a bronze in sailing, and some great results in swimming and golf with numerous personal bests across the sports,” he said.
“Congratulations to all students that competed. Without the contribution of everyone, we would never have taken home the silverware, and made the 2010 Australian University Games one to remember."
In commenting on the size of the Notre Dame contribution compared to larger competing universities, Mr McLean said size didn’t matter when it came to giving your all.
“It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog!” he said.
Mr McLean acknowledged the hard work of Fremantle Campus Sports Officer, Jaimee Montgomery and Sydney Campus Student Life Officer, Matthew Bennett, for their tireless effort and commitment in coordinating the Notre Dame team at the Games.
Business ethics debated in the big end of town
Do business and ethics mix? Can you be a nice guy and still run a business? Are we necessarily governed by the market?
Telstra chief, David Thodey, Sydney Catholic Archbishop, Cardinal George Pell, former Wallabies Captain, John Eales and marketing expert John Moore were put on their toes yesterday when asked these questions at a Business Ethics Q&A lunch hosted by The University of Notre Dame Australia.
Telstra chief, David Thodey, Sydney Catholic Archbishop, Cardinal George Pell, former Wallabies Captain, John Eales and marketing expert John Moore were put on their toes yesterday when asked these questions at a Business Ethics Q&A lunch hosted by The University of Notre Dame Australia.
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
New Dean of Arts and Science for Fremantle Campus
Plant ecophysiology, ecology and histology – just some of the areas of research undertaken by The University of Notre Dame Australia’s new Dean of Arts and Science on the Fremantle Campus.
Vice Chancellor Professor Celia Hammond announced that Associate Professor Dylan Korczynskyj will commence in January 2011.
“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Assoc Prof Professor Dylan Korczynskyj as Dean,” said Professor Hammond.
“Dylan has been at the University since 2003, and has been acting in the position of Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, Fremantle since the middle of 2009.
“He has been a regular recipient of letters of commendation for teaching excellence and in 2009 was a recipient (alongside colleagues) of an Australian Learning and Teaching Council’s Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning.”
Assoc Prof Korczynskyj has played a pivotal role in developing the Science program on the Fremantle Campus since 2003. He has also maintained a research profile alongside his teaching and leadership roles at the University.
Assof Prof Korczynskyj said that he welcomed the opportunity to work amongst such a range of disciplines and talented people.
“I believe the School of Arts and Sciences speaks volumes about what this Catholic University strives for: commitment to teaching excellence; preparation of our students for professional and meaningful careers; commitment to social justice and indigenous issues; pastoral care for our students and our fellow colleagues; we have built a reputation for research rigor; and we continue to further develop our research profile,” he said.
“I also value the chance to stay in contact with teaching and research and to have the chance to head to places such as Tanzania with our students for immersion programs to explore issues of social justice, subsidiary and community development!
Vice Chancellor Professor Celia Hammond announced that Associate Professor Dylan Korczynskyj will commence in January 2011.
“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Assoc Prof Professor Dylan Korczynskyj as Dean,” said Professor Hammond.
“Dylan has been at the University since 2003, and has been acting in the position of Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, Fremantle since the middle of 2009.
“He has been a regular recipient of letters of commendation for teaching excellence and in 2009 was a recipient (alongside colleagues) of an Australian Learning and Teaching Council’s Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning.”
Assoc Prof Korczynskyj has played a pivotal role in developing the Science program on the Fremantle Campus since 2003. He has also maintained a research profile alongside his teaching and leadership roles at the University.
Assof Prof Korczynskyj said that he welcomed the opportunity to work amongst such a range of disciplines and talented people.
“I believe the School of Arts and Sciences speaks volumes about what this Catholic University strives for: commitment to teaching excellence; preparation of our students for professional and meaningful careers; commitment to social justice and indigenous issues; pastoral care for our students and our fellow colleagues; we have built a reputation for research rigor; and we continue to further develop our research profile,” he said.
“I also value the chance to stay in contact with teaching and research and to have the chance to head to places such as Tanzania with our students for immersion programs to explore issues of social justice, subsidiary and community development!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)