New students welcomed with excitement, engaging sessions and tote bags

MADA Day kicked off Monash University's O-Week at Caulfield campus, and we welcomed 423 new students across our undergraduate, honours, and postgraduate by coursework cohorts.

MADA Day kicked off Monash University's O-Week at Caulfield campus, and we welcomed 423 new Monash Art, Design and Architecture (MADA) students across our undergraduate, honours, and postgraduate by coursework cohorts.

The day began with a check-in, where new students received tote bags designed by First Nations PhD student Kirrakee Watson. Watson's design aims to encourage non-Indigenous students to think about the Country they are studying on and not just the colonial structures. Ten student leaders from the MADA Peer Mentoring Program helped put together the tote bags, which included stationery and a range of helpful resources.

In addition to the tote bags, several Melbourne-based creative organisations provided freebies and handouts, including Charles Nordrum Gallery, Melbourne Museum, Open House Melbourne, Public Galleries Association of Victoria, and State Library Victoria.

The day featured eight department sessions led by engaging academic staff, covering architecture, urban planning and design, art history and curating, fine art, and design. These sessions helped students to understand course structures, expectations, and support services. Our students were able to hear directly from key academic staff to be on top of course structure and expectations, support services, and what to look forward to in their first weeks.

Undergraduate students also participated in a student and alumni panel session, giving them the opportunity to hear directly from current student leaders and ask questions about their own experiences. This session was followed by presentations from key Monash staff on the library, academic integrity, career connections, disability support services, and MADA resources for thriving.

MADA Day ended with a celebratory BBQ at the Fine Art Courtyard, where students from all levels and disciplines came together with academic and professional staff. Our Dean, Professor Shane Murray welcomed our new students to Monash Art, Design and Architecture, a truly contemporary creative community.

We want to thank everyone who made MADA Day such a success, including our new students who brought so much energy to our campus.