Media centre releases

The call of a new career

Former national rower Annika Naughton has hung up her oars to embark on a new career as a physiotherapist by enrolling in Curtin University of Technology’s Graduate Entry Master of Physiotherapy course.

After five years on the Australian rowing team and having worked on mine sites as well as in the city, Annika is now looking forward to the new challenge of a full-time career in physiotherapy.

“I could not have asked for a better opportunity to start on a new career path,” Annika said.

“Curtin’s Graduate Entry Master of Physiotherapy course allows me to take full advantage of my first degree in Exercise Science to enter a fast track learning experience toward a qualification in another discipline.”

Annika is not new to the hard work and commitment needed to successfully embark on a new career path.

“When I was studying for my first degree I was training as part of the national rowing team at the same time, it was hard work but I persisted and made it through,” Annika said.

“I am undertaking this Graduate Entry Masters course with the same attitude and commitment to succeed as I really want to establish a full-time career as a physiotherapist and work in a hospital setting.

“I love interacting with people and I think a hospital will allow me to work with a large variety of patients.”

Professor Tony Wright, Head of the School of Physiotherapy at Curtin explained the nature of the course and the fact that it will be Commonwealth Supported from 2009.

“The Graduate Entry Master of Physiotherapy is targeted toward talented students who have a Bachelor degree in an area other than Physiotherapy. The course allows students to gain the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours expected of an entry level physiotherapist,” Professor Wright said.

“As of 2009 the course will be Commonwealth Supported and this is an added advantage for people wanting a new career but may shy away from study due to the costs involved.

“This course has a hybrid structure and uses curriculum to efficiently allow students to learn foundation knowledge, and combines this with case studies and clinical practice to integrate knowledge into clinical decision making.”

Annika commenced her studies in Jan 2008 and will graduate in 2010.

“I chose to study at Curtin as friends who studied Physiotherapy here provided such positive feedback about the quality of the education and campus life,” Annika said.

“My fellow course mates and I have formed a close knit group providing support for each other as we go through the challenges of the course.”

Creative industry to benefit from new Curtin partnership

A new partnership between Curtin Business School (CBS) and the Perth Advertising and Design Club (PADC) will enhance the student learning experience by offering students a program of ‘real world’ exposure to the creative industry in Perth.

Professor Duncan Bentley, Pro Vice-Chancellor of CBS said that he welcomes this new partnership and says the initiative enhances Curtin’s position as an industry linked institution for marketing and creative talent.

“The PADC is the only creatively based industry body in Perth, giving Curtin students a portal through which they can gain experience and understanding of the advertising and creative industry,” Professor Bentley said.

“This partnership will provide advertising students with the ultimate learning experience. They will learn from industry leaders and will have the opportunity to build their networks.”

Mr Jeff Champtaloup, President of the PADC committee, said the alliance will strengthen the creativity and quality of new generations of advertising and creative graduates in Perth.

“PADC and Curtin Business School share a number of synergies, the most significant of which is our common goal to educate and inspire the next creative generation,” Mr Champtaloup said.

“It is very exciting for PADC to build this relationship with an educational institution. The relationship will go a long way towards increasing the quality of the outcomes for our clients; it is a positive win-win situation.”

The initiative has lead to the development of a unique advertising master class, major changes to the final undergraduate advertising unit (Campaign Development 391), as well as postgraduate units.

Dr Sonia Dickinson, the Advertising (Campaign Development) 391 course coordinator and a Senior Lecturer at Curtin, said the partnership started in July 2008 and will build in 2009 and onwards.

“Already the PADC is providing industry leaders to speak and deliver course content throughout the semester as well as internship opportunities for top students,” Dr Dickinson said.

“In 2009, the relationship will grow and PADC will provide client briefs and students will develop campaigns for local clients of affiliated PADC agencies.”

“This is a fantastic program and it means that the people that employ our students will have some input into what the students learn.”

Dr Dickinson said next year, the School of Marketing and the School of Design will join forces and will offer students the opportunity to enrol in an Advertising Master Class (Campaign Development).This is a campaign unit where only 15 – 20 selected School of Design and Marketing student are invited to participate.

“The students will respond to competition briefs provided by the International Advertising Association (IAA) and Advertising Federation of Australia (AFA) and work in teams with the combined skills of business and design students,” Dr Dickinson said.

“As part of the PADC partnership these students will also be engaged in agency visits, career and creativity mentoring. They will also judge the students’ pitches and provide internship to the top students.”

Contacts: Monique Billstein; PR Coordinator; Curtin: 08 9266 3353; 0401 103 018; M.Billstein@curtin.edu.au

House of Tarvydas and Looking Out – Exhibition opening

House of Tarvydas and Looking Out – Exhibition opening
Two exhibitions that celebrate the internationalisation of WA fashion

Ms Annmarie Carpenter, Perth Fashion Festival Ambassador, will officially open the exhibitions

Thursday 21 August at 6pm
John Curtin Gallery, Building 200 (opposite Kirribilli Café)
Curtin University of Technology, Kent St, Bentley

Media are invited to attend the opening of House of Tarvydas and Looking Out on Thursday 21 August

House of Tarvydas is an anniversary tribute to the influential fashion designer, Ruth Tarvydas and her extraordinary career. Key designs from Ruth Tarvydas’ collection under the Ruta label, established in 1968, to her current work, will highlight the considerable contribution Tarvydas has made to the development of contemporary fashion design in Australia over the years.

Looking Out, profiles the diversity and individual style of five local fashion designers who have achieved international recognition. This exhibition features cutting edge designers including: ae’lkemi, Aurelio Costarella, ericaamerica, Material Boy and dd by Megan Salmon,. Their work reflects the dynamic and innovative nature of garment design in WA.

These exhibitions will coincide with the 2008 Perth Fashion Festival and run from 22 August to 10 October 2008.

Note to COS/Editor: Media are welcome to attend a VIP preview tour of the exhibition at 5.45pm with Ms Annmarie Carpenter, Perth Fashion Festival Ambassador; Professor Jeanette Hacket, Vice-Chancellor of Curtin University of Technology; Ms Anne Farren, Curator; members of the John Curtin Gallery advisory board; Ms Ruth Tarvydas, and the Looking Out designers. Photograph and interview opportunities are available during this time.

Please RSVP to Monique Billstein on 9266 3353 or email her at M.Billstein@curtin.edu.au by COB Wednesday 22 August. Admission and parking are free. Please enter via the Kent Street main entrance and follow the signs to car park P3.

Contact: Monique Billstein, Public Relations, Corporate Communications, Curtin, 08 9266 3353, M.Billstein@curtin.edu.au

Curtin appoints Pro Vice-Chancellor for Singapore Campus

Curtin University of Technology is pleased to announce the appointment of Associate Professor John Neilson as the new Pro Vice-Chancellor to spearhead the establishment of all academic aspects of the recently announced Singapore Campus.
 
Associate Professor Neilson is a long standing staff member of the University’s renowned Curtin Business School (CBS), being the Head of the highly regarded School of Accounting from 1998, and also serving as Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor of CBS over a number of periods.

Curtin Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jeanette Hacket, welcomed this important appointment for the Singapore Campus.

“Associate Professor Neilson has been with Curtin for over 17 years, and he is an excellent choice to lead and nurture the development of our Singapore Campus,” Professor Hacket said.

“Associate Professor Neilson has been a significant contributor to the development of numerous professional and academic courses at CBS and Curtin. He has also developed a strong reputation within the Western Australian business community, particularly with his involvement in numerous aspects of small to medium enterprises and his important ties with the accounting profession.”

“His experience in these areas will be invaluable in providing academic and strategic leadership for the Singapore Campus as well as managing the quality of its programs.”

Curtin’s Singapore Campus is scheduled to commence operations in December 2008 and will offer CBS courses, and based on student demand, new programs from other faculties including Humanities and Health Sciences.

The Singapore Campus will be managed and operated by Navitas Singapore Pte Limited a wholly owned subsidiary of Navitas Limited a long standing partner of the University.  Navitas Limited is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and also operates Curtin’s Sydney Campus on behalf of Curtin as well as Curtin International College and many other colleges in Australia and overseas.

Curtin also expects its current partners, the Marketing Institute of Singapore, the Singapore Institute of Materials Management and the Singapore Human Resources Institute to continue to be involved in teaching at the new Campus 

The comprehensive teaching facility will enhance the student experience while providing research and development opportunities for the University, and strengthening industry engagement in Singapore.

The new Pro Vice-Chancellor is in place to ensure excellent academic outcomes and Curtin’s approach to teaching and learning.

Prior to joining Curtin, Associate Professor Neilson held key accounting, financial management and planning positions in both the private and public sectors.

He has also provided consultancy to a diverse range of professional, government and not-for-profit financial management and advisory projects.

Associate Professor Neilson has authored and co-authored numerous publications and has held editorial appointments with the Asian Review of Accounting.

His new position was effective from 21 July 2008 and he will relocate to Singapore later this year.

CRICOS provider code: 00301J

Science with a twist at Curtin Curiosity Carnival and Curiosity Café

Curtin Open Day 2008
10am-4pm- Sunday 17 August 2008
Curtin University of Technology Bentley Campus
Visit the Curtin Open Day website at www.openday.curtin.edu.au for a full program

A science focused fortune teller, infra red cameras that pick up body heat and laughing clowns that make you question your chemistry knowledge are just some of the science highlights at the Curiosity Carnival at Curtin Open Day on Sunday 17 August 2008 from 10am-4pm at the University’s Bentley Campus.

The designer of many of the activities in the Curiosity Carnival is School of Science and Computing Outreach Coordinator, Kat Sandford, who often works with high-school students on science-related events.

“The Curiosity Carnival will be full of fun activities based around science to entertain visitors,”
Ms Sandford said.

“People will be able to experience how science can be amusing and enjoyable,” she said.

“Well known carnival favourites will be included but incorporating a science twist.  For example, the chocolate wheel is based on special numbers and the shooting gallery is based on chemical symbols.

“As well as a plasma ball, and  a ‘game theory’ activity, there will be a conductivity challenge, a
test-your-strength machine, an inertia chair and other activities.

To enhance the carnival atmosphere the adjacent Curiosity Café will offer a range of treats including pop-corn, fairy floss, toffee apples, hotdogs and carnival-style confectionary.

Curtin Vice-Chancellor Professor Jeanette Hacket said the Curiosity Carnival will be an entertaining experience for future students, their families and other members of the community who will make up the expected attendance of 15,000 people at Open Day.

“The Curiosity Carnival will be an enjoyable highlight of Curtin Open Day,” Professor Hacket said.

“The day will offer visitors the opportunity to explore career options, courses, research opportunities, scholarships, entry requirements and to see the University's facilities, accommodation and grounds.”

Visit the Curtin Open Day website at www.openday.curtin.edu.au for a full program.