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Student Success Stories
Monash College student selected for Monash Engineering Leadership Program Weerasinghalage Kaushalya Gayathri Perera (Kaushi), an international student from Sri Lanka, began her Monash journey in February 2007 at Monash College Clayton. She completed an Engineering Diploma and is now in her second year of a Civil Engineering Degree at Monash University. Her latest achievement is being selected for the Faculty of Engineering’s Leadership in a Technological Environment Program. When researching universities all over the world for tertiary study, Kaushi chose Monash. She felt it was the best choice for her considering the academic success, reputation in the engineering industry and the facilities offered for students. She said “Monash has a reputation as a leading research and teaching institution and I am glad to be a part of it.” She had always been fascinated with modern innovative structures which are revolutionary implementations of complex engineering concepts and ideas into reality and is hoping to major in Structures & Geo-technology. Monash College provided her with a great starting point and says it helped her “gain necessary knowledge and confidence for future accomplishments while laying an excellent foundation to deal successfully with academic conventions.” It eased the transition process to university from high school, provided an insight into different engineering fields and, as her Monash College Diploma was equivalent to first year uni, also saved her a considerable amount of time. Kaushi says ”The teachers at Monash College are such wonderful, passionate and inspiring people, they were very helpful and always there for me in times of need. Some of them are still very close to me and have become friends more than teachers; I am very thankful for having known them. I am happy and highly satisfied with my decision to study at Monash College.” She is also very thankful of the support she has received from parents and friends through out her Monash journey so far. Since childhood Kaushi has thrived on challenges and welcomed responsibility, she’s hard working, thinks creatively, and thoroughly enjoys problem solving. Studying away from home (in Australia) has given her opportunities to develop her personality as a leader as well as, as an independent individual. When she first heard about the Engineering Leadership Program it sounded like a great opportunity to further develop her leadership skills. On applying to the program Kaushi felt she stood a good chance as she is maintaining a distinction average and has a strong background of leadership. She was a successful House Captain in high school and since coming to Australia has continued to be involved in leadership skills enhancing situations/ positions including:
The Leadership in a Technological Environment Program is a unique non-award program offered by Monash University’s Faculty of Engineering, designed to produce engineering leaders of the future. It challenges and extends students, providing them with a unique opportunity to network, acquire skills and learn about leadership outside the formal classroom. The program comprises a two day residential, introductory workshop, nine short modules spread over three years covering a range of leadership aspects, as well as regular seminars. Topic experts, industry leaders, alumni and senior university members are all contributors’ to this program - delivering workshops and seminars, offering advice, providing ‘shadowing’ and industry networking experiences for the students. Kaushi sees the program as a further extension of her Engineering Degree and plans to make the most of every opportunity to enhance her leadership qualities. She is hoping the experience will help her to understand and build her individual leadership style and provide opportunities to develop and experience hands-on implementations of engineering while meeting university staff and forming networks with industry leaders. “The most exciting part is being able to meet and befriend other students who value and share common interests with me, and it will help me broaden my knowledge of the world. It is a privilege to be a part of such an important program held by Monash University. I consider it a lifetime opportunity which will amount to invaluable & memorable experiences during my time at Monash Engineering.”
Ne Tan began her Monash journey with Monash College in Melbourne in October 2006 and is now a 3rd year student in Mechanical Engineering at Monash University. Through Monash Abroad she will soon be heading to the USA to study at UC Berkeley in California for a semester. Ne is an international student from Shanghai, China who is a big fan of racing cars and would one day love to design them. She came to Australia directly after her high school graduation; Monash College was the best way for her to get into Monash University. As she never went to university in China she couldn’t apply directly to Monash University. Her pathway into Monash University was through the completion of her Monash College diploma. This was equivalent to first year at university which meant she didn’t waste any time. When reflecting on her time at Monash College, Ne said “the smaller class sizes helped me to be well prepared for uni through good interaction with teachers. This system helped me to build good habits and definitely a better base for future study in uni …there are many good teachers at Monash College”. Ne is very proud and excited about having the chance to go to America to study. And of course her family are very proud too as they know UC Berkeley is a good uni. Leaving in either late December this year or early January next year, the semester study in America will see her complete 4 units and return to Australia in May 2009. When asked why she applied to Monash Abroad she said it was “a good opportunity, UC is a famous uni and I really wanted to experience something like this…, we need to catch every opportunity we can in our life”. She still has to sort out her accommodation details and has been advised that the education system there is quite different (your marks/grades come from work done throughout the semester, not the majority of the weight put on the exam at the end as is done in Australia) but is looking forward to what will be a great challenge. Ne believes this opportunity will help her to “grow personally and help with future employment opportunities by having taken the initiative to gain study experience in an American uni as well”. Monash College’s Deputy Principal Student Experience Jodie Burgess isn’t at all surprised that Ne’s application to Monash Abroad was successful as she is an excellent student. “It’s great that she can get academic credit from the experience too”. Monash University’s Monash Aborad office is committed to providing international opportunities for all students. They support and encourage students interested in studying overseas for part of their Monash degree, giving them advice about approved Monash Abroad programs and assisting them with the application process. |
