Semester Two Newsletter

Newsletter

Welcome to Semester two! The Mature Age Student Network at Edith Cowan University (MASN@ECU) Committee has hit the road running and we look forward to putting plans into action.

The main focus of this group is to connect students, foster student engagement, and promote peer support networks. This semester we are working towards the following:

·         PAUSEO: Parents At University Supporting Each Other

This group is specifically for student parents who have children up to the age of twelve. PAUSEO will offer this student group an opportunity to connect with other each other, which ultimately will lead to providing peer support. There will be access to funding so that social events both on and off campus can occur. If you are interested in becoming proactive and assist in getting this important club up and running, please email: Helen-  ecu.matureage@gmail.com

·         PINS: Postgrads Interacting, Networking, and Socialising

As the name states, this is a group for postgraduate students at ECU. PINS will provide this student group a base that will work towards building an ECU Postgrad Association. Contact has been made with the Council of Australian Postgraduate Association who is keen on connecting ECU postgrads to other universities. If you are interested in becoming proactive and assist in getting this important club up and running, please email: Helen - ecu.matureage@gmail.com

·                MASN@ECU has acquired space at the Mt Lawley guild building that includes an office. This is a great opportunity for students wanting to meet up with a committee member, can do so. Someone will be available on both Thursdays and Fridays 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

·                There is an end of the year event that is currently being put together that will not only be important for mature age students at ECU but also for mature age students’ nation-wide. Many mature agers can see the concept of networking as difficult, problematic or even alien. However, networking is an extremely valuable tool to use in today’s globalized world with regards to occupation prospects. Consequently, MASN@ECU is planning a Business Networking Event for mature age students graduating at the end of 2012 and mid-2013. If you know of any industry leaders, businesses and/or agencies that would like to part of this event, please email Vildana Ekic - v_ekic@live.com.au

·                PEX: Part-time and External Students at ECU.

Being a part-time and/or an external student can sometimes seem isolating for many students. To assist this student group, a blog page has been established for information and communication that also includes chat and forums. However to ensure the success of this initiative, we need your help. So, if you are a part-time and/or an external student who enjoys blogging and would like to engage with other students, could you please contact Helen – ecu.matureage@gmail.com

·         MASNA: The Mature Age Student Network Australia

MASNA is a national organization that has mature age student groups such as MASN@ECU in twenty universities around Australia. An inaugural conference was held on the Gold Coast in early July where all current group representatives and interested parties came together to discuss views and issues regarding mature age students within higher education. As a result, the organization has been recognized by the Australian Federal government with the Honourable Senator Evans stating that “The Australian Government recognises and values mature age higher education students and the contribution this cohort makes to Australian society and the economy." From now until the end of 2013, MASNA will be presenting and putting in place campaigns and projects under their motto ‘The New Generation of Higher Education’. We believe that student engagement, the mature age student voice, and presence are imperative for this large student population to finally be brought to the forefront. Through these projects and campaigns, we are also hoping that as many students around Australia as possible will take advantage of this and participate. Taking an active role in higher education is important not just for yourself, but for others and it also provides valuable experience. Because MASNA believes that all students should be given opportunities to grow and take part in their education, anybody who participates will be provided with a reference and a certificate of acknowledgement. This of course will be beneficial for your CV.

Cheers

The MASN@ECU Committee