Crowds of prospective students at Open Day 2018
We were turning people away at the door for the biomedical science information sessions at this year’s Open Day on Sunday 5 August. Prospective students and their parents flocked to the Alexander Theatre to hear about the courses on offer, what they would study, and where a biomedical degree could take them in the future.
Educators from the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI) put on two highly successful information sessions throughout the day, with the theatre filled to capacity in each session. The sessions were broadcast into the foyer, so that those who could not fit in the theatre could hear.
In the foyer of the Alexander Theatre, roughly 30 Monash BDI staff and 15 student volunteers were on hand in their distinctive pink vests to answer questions about the courses, student experience and more. 3D models and artist impressions of viruses, dendritic cells, macrophages and more were on display, with students available to explain each item’s significance.
A panel discussion, including educators, current students and alumni, was held in between the two information sessions, with more than 250 people attending to ask pertinent questions of the panellists.
An augmented reality initiative was run by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences marketing team, used to showcase how Monash graduates, like Monash BDI’s Dr Stephanie Simonds, are helping to change the world and offer insight into their career pathways. Visitors to the Alexander Theatre were able to download a free app on their phones, scan a display and watch Dr Simonds story come to life.
Natalie Seng, Monash BDI’s manager of student experience, said the day was a rousing success.
“People come to Open Day not just to find out about the courses we offer but also to get a feel for the culture of the place, to figure out if they would enjoy the experience of studying here at Monash,” Ms Seng said.
“The Alexander Theatre and Green Chemical Futures buildings was buzzing with energy from both our students and staff volunteers and I think people really got a feel for the positive culture we have in biomedical science here at Monash BDI, ” she said.
According to Ms Seng, feedback from the visitors was very positive. Monash BDI staff and students were friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable.
Professor Liz Davis, Deputy Director of Education at Monash BDI, was pleased with the level of engagement and interest attendees had in biomedical science.
“Prospective students and their parents were keen to find out about the Monash Bachelor of Biomedical Science course and how it could prepare them for their future careers,” Associate Professor Davis said.
“Our student helpers were amazing ambassadors for the Monash BDI, highlighting not just the quality of the curriculum and the teaching, but also the many support services and opportunities available to them as students of Monash,” she said.
Mary, a 3rd year Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Scholars) student who was part of the panel discussion, said she really enjoyed the experience.
“Imparting my experience of biomedical science upon future students as part of the panel discussion was hugely rewarding. It was great to see so many keen high schoolers and their families come along, and overall it was definitely a success,” Mary said.
Another student volunteer, Sammy, said he aimed to give curious students a real life representation of what it is like at uni, and in the biomedical science course specifically.
“I tried to emphasise to visitors the great community that biomed encourages. I think this was my favourite part of the day because explaining to school students that uni – and biomed – is actually a very fun time,” Sammy said.
“It was great to see all the new and mostly excited faces of future biomed students coming through the doors, eager to discover more about the details of the course as well as the university,” he said.
More than 52,000 people attended Open Day at Monash’s Clayton campus this year, a seven per cent increase from 2017.