All campuses – Graduate Research

Graduate research – October 2017

Monday, October 9th, 2017

Family Cup Day for students with family 
You and your family are invited to the annual Family Cup Day lunch (halal and vegetarian options provided). Meet other Monash families and join in the fun of face painting, petting zoo, and various group activities for kids and adults! Register online by Tuesday 24 October.

When: Tuesday 7 November, 11am – 3pm
Where: Northern Plaza, Monash Clayton Campus, Corner of Exhibition and Sports Walk

Parkville students: Join us for lunch
You are invited to a  lunch for international research students studying at Parkville campus on Wednesday 25 October 12-1pm.

New students: After lunch, we will be providing information for newly arrived international students.  Time: 1pm to 2pm.
For catering purposes, please register:

I will be attending lunch only
I will be attending lunch and the information session

International Students Work Rights
The Fairwork Ombudsman (FWO) has released an open letter to international students about your rights at work. If you are still having some work problems and need some legal advice, you can make an appointment with a lawyer at the Study Melbourne Centre on Thursdays (until 7th December). Email info@studymelbourne.vic.gov.au or call 1800 056 449.

Tax Help
If you need help submitting your taxes, make an appointment with a tax help volunteer who can help you complete your taxes online using myTax. Lodge your tax return by the 31 October deadline to avoid penalties. You can also obtain Tax help from the Study Melbourne Student Centre on tuesday afternoons and wednesday mornings until the 31st October.

Community Safety MonthCommunity Safety Month
Every October, the City of Monash holds a Community Safety Month to remind us that we all have a role to play in keeping our community safe. There are lots of fun, interesting and practical safety events, workshops and community get-togethers for Monash residents to participate. For information about the activities on offer, visit the City of Monash website.

International Student: Essential Information – orientation workshop for research students
Whether you have studied in Melbourne before or just arrived, find out about the services and programs available to international research students to help you adjust to life on campus and become part of the local community. Workshops are run each month and cover accommodation and living in Melbourne, student support networks, visa regulations, work rights, adjusting to Australian culture and learning how to use your overseas student health cover.

The next workshops are:
Wednesday 25th October at Parkville  Registration 

Wednesday 8th November at Clayton  Registration 

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Opportunities

Volunteering opportunities for International Students
Study Melbourne has partnered with Volunteering Victoria to offer volunteering opportunities for international students across Victoria. Volunteering is a great way to gain employability skills, make friends and support your community. Only 200 places are available so contact Sophie Anselmi (s.anselmi@volunteeringvictoria.org.au) for more information.

Learn Lead Thrive
Communication is one of the most important skills employers want from graduates. Peer camp is offering a new program exclusively for international students to help push you outside your comfort zone into a place where you can grow into a powerful communicator and leader. Register for one of these communication stream workshops in October.

7 October – Kathleen Syme Library Carlton
14th October – Monash Generator Clayton Campus
21st October – Melbourne Polytechnic, Preston Campus

Free hard waste rubbish collection for students living in the City of Monash
The City of Monash is offering free waste collection for current International students living in the City of Monash from 20 November to 15 December. Prior to doing this, the council would like to collect information from current students about their understanding of hard rubbish and previous behaviours when disposing of hard waste.  To take advantage of this free waste collection offer, you must book  your rubbish collection online and nominate the week you want your waste collected on the form. Once you have booked, you will receive a sticker for your hard rubbish pile and an information brochure will be sent to you in the mail. Before the Sunday night of your collection week, place your hard waste out on the nature strip for collection. For more information, check out this offer on facebook or read about annual hard waste collection online. To speak to someone about this offer, contact Council’s waste services on 9518 3774 or email anna.mezzetti@monash.vic.gov.au.

 

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What’s On

FREE International Student Theatre – She’ll be right 
Don’t miss out on this powerful hour of storytelling about real life experiences from students from Brazil, China, Columbia, Iraq, Indonesia, Pakistan, Vietnam and Australia. This theatre performance has been written by International students and is a free performance presented from Study Melbourne, City of Melbourne, RMIT University and Australian Federation of International Students. This performance will transport you through cultural stereotypes, passions and dreams and the sacrifices made as students find a new voice in Melbourne and redefine who they are. Find out more and book tickets

When: Tuesday 24 October 7 – 8.30pm
Where: Library at the dock, 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade, Docklands

The Unwritten Rules of PhD
This seminar is recommended for Research postgrads. It will cover how to avoid the pitfalls in getting your PhD and some good practice principles to help make your candidature a little more seamless. Places are limited so make sure to register online. A light lunch will be provided as well.

When: Tuesday 24 October, 11am – 1.00pm
Where: Clayton MPA Office Seminar Room.

Mosaic Festival – A Celebration of Multicultural Women in Victoria
Join VIRCWC (Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Coalition) for a Mosaic Festival of live music, dance, cultural costumes, international cuisine and arts and crafts from around the world. This celebration of our women’s multicultural diversity is free and is a great opportunity to foster cross-cultural exchanges in the community.

When: Sunday 22 October, 10am -4pm
Where: Queen Victoria Market

Learn to Surf at Torquay
Learn how to surf at Torquay, Victoria’s surfing and beach capital. Book through the MPA website.

When: Saturday 18 November

Diwali at Federation Square – Saturday 14 October 11am -10pm
Diwali Lights at Light House – 18 – 24 October, 6pm – midnight
Melbourne Festival – 4-22 October
Tesselaar Tulip Festival – Until 10 October
Summer touch football at Princes Park – 4 – 11 October, 6.30pm – 8pm
Free Street Art Mentoring – 6 -7 October, 11am -4pm
The World Kitchen in Acland Street St Kilda – 7 October
Indian Street Food Festival – 20-22 October
Melbourne International Games Week – 22-29 October
Hooked on Gambling: By Choice or by Design – 11 October, 6pm – 7.30pm
Stand Up Comedy Prize Fight – 21 September -19 October, 8pm – 10pm
Bollywood Dance – 20 October, 1-2pm
Board Games Day – 26 October, 2-5pm
The Village Festival in Edinburgh Gardens – 27 – 29 October, 6-8pm
Spring Vegan Festival – 28 October
Arts Centre Market – Every Sunday, 10-4pm

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Tips for International Students

Are you Rent Smart?
If you need to break your lease before the end of the contract date make sure you follow these tips:
· Check your contract
· Give the proper notice period in writing
· If it is a fixed term contract then you will be liable for paying the remainder of the lease unless you find someone to replace you.

If you need more help, check out Tenants Union Victoria, the Off campus accommodation website or search Ask.monash.

International Student Engagement
If you have any feedback about the newsletter or suggestions of items to be included, please email iss@monash.edu.

Graduate Research – September 2017

Friday, September 1st, 2017

R U OK? Day
On Thursday 14 September, Monash University is recognising R U OK? Day and we invite you to be a part of it. Staying connected and having meaningful conversations is something we can all do. You don’t need to be an expert – just be a great mate and a good listener. There will be a number of events organised by staff and student groups, so check out our website and join our facebook event.

Do you know a workplace that isn’t doing the right thing?
There are Australian workplace laws for correct pay, leave, how employment should be ended and other employee entitlements. Help keep workplaces fair by reporting any issues to the Fair Work Ombudsman. All reports can remain anonymous – you do not have to disclose your identity when making a report. You can also now report an issue in your preferred language.

New App – Respect.Now.Always
Sexual assault or harassment is never ok.  If you feel unsafe, contact Monash Security  – 9905 7777 at any time and ask for a safety escort where a security officer will come meet you and walk you anywhere on campus. If you are experiencing inappropriate or threatening behaviour, contact Safer Community. Check out the Respect.Now.Always support app on your My.Monash and find out more about the campaign to end sexual assault and harassment on campus.

Protect your identity – Cyber security
Get some tips and advice from Monash security for cyber security and protecting your identity online.

Monash University Chaplains
You don’t need to be involved in a faith community or a church to use the chaplaincy service. Monash chaplains come from a range of faiths and work with all spiritual groups across campuses . Chaplains can help you with:
– mentoring and friendly support
– pastoral counselling for spiriual, religious and personal issues
– study groups or workshops on scripture, faith and personal growth

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Opportunities

Childcare Relief Available
Good news for international student parents of school aged children! Funding is available to provide financial relief this September school holiday period to assist with child care costs. International students on a student visa may apply for financial assistance for school aged children (5-12 years) attending the Camp Australia School Holiday Program at Monash University during the school holiday period 25 September – 6 October.

The Maximum amount refunded to each eligible family is 2 days care per week (incurred throughout the school holiday period) foe each school aged child.

Register your interest in this program and to obtain more information about child care bookings and the refund claim process. This opportunity is only available for 2017 and there is no guarantee that this funding will be available on an ongoing basis.

For queries: email iss@monash.edu.

ASEAN Games Australia 2017
Come and join the largest sporting event involving all ASEAN community from Southeast Asia here in Australia! This year, ASEAN is celebrating its 50th Anniversary and will be held at the Monash University Clayton campus over 3 days. Anyone who wants to play sport and meet new people can join. There are 8 sporting events to choose from including Badminton, Tennis, Table Tennis, Futsal, Ultimate Frisbee, Netball, Volleyball and Basketball and cash prizes and medals to be won. Applications close on 8 September so get in quick and register online or check out this event on facebook.

When: 22 – 24 September

The Future of Leadership Conference
Are you interested in being equipped with the tools and insights to make you a better leader both personally and professionally? The Future of Leadership  conference is a place to learn from inspiring speakers, big thinkers and people doing great things in business. Proceeds from the conference will be donated to Hands Across the Water charity for homeless and orphaned children throughout Thailand.

When: Thursday 29 September, 8.30am – 4.00pm
Where: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (1 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf)

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What’s On

MPA trips and event
Register for some of these MPA trips and events in  September.

Mooncake Festival at QVM – 11 September
International Student Shopping tour event – 15 September
Melbourne Fringe Festival – 14 September – 1 October
Royal Melbourne Show – 23 September -3  October
Study Melbourne Centre Job Ready Workshop -27 September
Melbourne Footy Festival – 27 – 30 September
Viva Brazil Festival – 9-10 September
Oktoberfest – 23 September

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Tips for International Students

Free Work rights legal service 
Have a problem at work? Get free, confidential and independent legal advice at the Study Melbourne Student Centre (Every Thursday, 599, Little Bourke Street, Melbourne)

Red Share Bikes – now free
The Monash Bikeshare scheme is now free to all Monash staff and students at Clayton. All you need to do is register! Users will be able to hop on any of the 70 bikes available on-campus to travel from one point of Uni to another. Cut down your travel time and bike around the Clayton campus today!

International Student Engagement
If you have any feedback about the newsletter or suggestions of items to be included, please email iss@monash.edu.