During November, three groups of 50 PLC Sydney year 9 students will be touring the university. They are in Armidale, staying at PLC Armidale, to have a ‘country experience’. The girls will see the library, TuneFM, student support services and will learn the history of Boolominbah. They will also attend some guest lectures concerning the New England region. It is all about giving them an experience of what university life can be like. These PLC Sydney visits have now been running for many years and the girls enjoy seeing the beautiful UNE campus.

Also in November, groups of parents and students from Quirindi High School and Merriwa Central School will be visiting UNE. UNE will again be providing a UNE Experience with Peter Lye on board to do exciting scientific experiments, and Student Ambassadors doing university, college and SportUne tours. We aim to make all touring students feel welcome and are confident that the New England campus will sell itself.

If staff would like more information on campus tours or have requests for them, please email campustours@une.edu.au.

UNE’s English Language Centre (ELC) was audited for re-accreditation purposes by NEAS (the National ELT Accreditation Scheme) on 8 July 2009. This is in addition to the re-accreditation of our English language programs earlier this year and completes the NEAS audit cycle that has been pending for some time. NEAS is the professional ELICOS body that oversees the quality of ELICOS centres operating in Australia.

It was pleasing at the conclusion of the visit to be informed by the auditor that NEAS considers the ELC to be one of the best ELICOS centres in NSW and that we have teachers with the best qualifications in the State. He also stated that our reputation amongst his colleagues and therefore the industry is excellent and that he had a sense of high quality care being shown by ELC staff for students in academic and pastoral matters.

I have today received the official letter approving the ELC for continued operations. The letter is unusually fulsome in its praise and I attach it now for your information and interest. Given the current levels of criticism of international education industry in the media it is good to have some external confirmation that UNE not only offers up-to-date fully accredited English language courses, but that it offers them and the necessary ancillary services at an exemplary level.

The areas of strength noted in the report letter are of course due to the combined effort of everyone who works in English Language and International Services. Their contribution to the Centre and to the language development and lives of the students while at the ELC and subsequently during their award-bearing studies at UNE should not be underestimated.

Regards,

Vernon

Vernon Crew PhD
Director, English Language & International Services
UNE International, Building E21
University of New England
Armidale, NSW 2350
Australia

E-mail: vcrew@une.edu.au

Tel: +612 6773 4277
Mob: +61 414 009 577

in aid of The Salvation Army and Paws Up

New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM)

 on view from Friday, 24 July until the
Celebration of Sharing Launch and Charity Art Auction
on Friday, 31 July at 12 noon 

Artists include Angus Nivison, Pat Elkin, Marty Branagan, Julia Hardman, Del Bernett, Stuart Boggs, Ruth Downes, Glory Kngale, Gosia Wlodarczak, Julia Griffin and many more … 

The Celebration of Sharing Art Exhibition will run concurrently with Penguins Gizzards and More! from the UNE Collections which is on view at NERAM until 27 September.

Finger food and wine will be served

All welcome

RSVP: Wednesday, 29 July 2009

Susan Macarthur
Phone: 02 6773 2960
Email: events.pr@une.edu.au

With this in mind, a committee was formed earlier this year to revise the University’s events protocols. The committee was made up of representatives from Marketing and Public Affairs, the Secretariat, the Vice-Chancellor’s office, and Student Services and Administration. The protocols they created cover all University events with the exception of installations and graduations. You can read the protocols for yourself here:

http://www.une.edu.au/mpa/events/events-protocol.pdf

One of the important new features of the protocols is that they require anyone organising an official UNE event to complete an Event Synopsis, detailing when and where the event is to be held, who is to be invited, whether publicity is required, etc.

The purpose of this synopsis is to ensure that MPA and members of the UNE senior executive can plan for upcoming events and that a single, reliable calendar of events is maintained at all times.

If you are planning an event, please download and complete an event synopsis, which is available here:

http://www.une.edu.au/mpa/events/UNE_events_synopsis.doc.

and submit the completed document to the PR events and projects coordinator, Susan Macarthur, at susan.macarthur@une.edu.au.

Completing an Event Synopsis is not a lengthy process. It will, however, potentially save you a great deal of confusion and misunderstandings down the line. Further assistance for people planning an event will soon also be available in the form of UNE events manual, currently under development by MPA.

and the correct procedures for washing hands will be located in building entrances, washrooms, tea rooms, and common rooms throughout the campus, including the colleges.

International travellers arriving in Armidale from the United States, Mexico, Canada, Japan or Panama should remain home for seven days before returning to work/study and notify their supervisor accordingly. Anyone travelling to affected countries on University business will be alerted to the dangers of swine flu before they leave.

If you do become sick and are concerned about your symptoms, or they become worse, you should immediately seek medical advice by phoning your general practitioner, hospital or the H1N1 09 Hotline (180 2007).

Further information about what to do if you become sick is available at:

http://www.healthemergency.gov.au/internet/healthemergency/publishing.nsf/Co

ntent/consumers#sick

The University is working with NSW Health to monitor the swine flu situation in New England region. If the situation escalates, the University will take additional precautions to prevent or minimise an outbreak on campus.

8 May 2009
5.30-7.00 pm

This will be an opportunity to hear from Gemma Sisia AM, UNE graduate and founder of
The School of St Jude in Arusha, Tanzania.

The school’s philosophy is “Fighting Poverty through Education”. What started with only a handful of children and one teacher is now a thriving school of over 1100 children, 130 teachers and 200 staff, and the exciting news for 2009 is that the first intake of students in the secondary school has occurred.

RSVP:                           by Monday, 4 May 2009                                  
                                      Alumni Relations Officer                                 
Em:                               alumni@une.edu.au  Ph: 02 6773 3365             
Online registration:    http://alumni.une.edu.au/event/stjude

*The Golden Key International Honour Society is a non-profit academic honours organisation which recognises and encourages scholastic achievement and excellence among undergraduates. Membership is offered to students who are in the top 15 per cent of their discipline.
Jennifer Miller
Alumni Relations Officer
Office of Advancement
TC Lamble Building
UNE Armidale NSW 2351
 
PH: +61 (0)2 6773 3365
MOB: +61 (0)407 413 317
FAX: +61 (0)2 6773 3285
HOME PAGE: http://alumni.une.edu.au

The 2009 Scholarship Presentation Ceremony will be held at Lazenby Hall on Wednesday, 13 May 2009. This is a major event on the UNE calendar and, most importantly, involves a considerable number of students to be present at the Ceremony from 4.15 pm.  Please ensure that students are released from lectures in time to attend the ceremony to receive their scholarship as Donors, Sponsors and contributors will be there to present the certificates personally.

Staff attending the ceremony must also ensure you have registered your attendance at Lazenby Hall by 4.30pm on Wednesday 13 May.  This event is growing larger each year with numbers expected to reach an all time high and your assistance is greatly appreciated to ensure the event runs smoothly.

Regards

Martha Saw

Director, Office of Advancement

CEO, UNE Foundation

Tel:  (02) 6773 2365

Fax: (02) 6773 3285

Mob:  0448 004 225

University of New England

ARMIDALE NSW 2351

www.une.edu.au

The World Health Organisation has raised a global pandemic alert level to Phase 5 up from Phase 4 in respect of a new strain of H1N1 virus, called “swine flu” acknowledging a sustained human to human transmission and signalling a “significant increase in risk of a pandemic.” As well as Mexico cases have since been confirmed in Canada, New Zealand, Israel, Spain, the United Kingdom, Austria and Germany. Outbreaks may occur in other countries.

Further information about “swine flu’ can be obtained from the World Health Organisation website http://www.who.int/en/

The increasing level of concern regarding the sudden spread of  “swine flu,” which has been reportedly linked to claiming a number of lives, has required the University to reconfirm its overseas travel requirements.

Normal DFAT travel warnings for levels 4 and 5 still apply.  Please check this website before considering travel http://www.smarttraveller.gov.au.

All requests for overseas travel irrespective of the destination must have a copy of the latest

DFAT  warning for that area attached.

The University community is reminded that no University personnel will have official travel

approved to any area that carries the warning of DO NOT TRAVEL as insurance cover cannot be

obtained.

Travel to areas with a travel warning of RECONSIDER YOUR NEED TO TRAVEL will be treated on

an individual basis upon receipt of a risk analysis provided by the traveller and supported by their

delegated approver. However, approval will not be granted if the traveller is required to pass

through any area designated DO NOT TRAVEL.

Travel by students will not be permitted to travel if the warnings are either DO NOT TRAVEL or

RECONSIDER YOUR NEED TO TRAVEL.

Under the University’s “Duty of Care” it will closely monitor the “DFAT” Global Warnings and

Traveller Advice re Health and Worldwide Civil Unrest. The Vice Chancellor, retains the right to

alter defer and/or cancel, any staff, student and visitor travel arrangements either existing

or proposed.

Further information will be provided as required.  Please contact Dick McCarthy in respect of travel

queries on  extension 2161 or email:  rmccarth@une.edu.au

The awards recognise the contribution made by regional businesses and individuals to the economic prosperity and well-being of the region’s communities and residents, as well as showcasing and promoting initiatives, products and services from the region that display innovation.

The awards are given in five categories: Agriculture/Horticulture and Associated Services, Tourism/Leisure and Related Services, Professional and Retail Services, Manufacturing and Engineering, and Research and Education.

Nominations are invited from individuals and businesses currently producing or developing innovative services or products in accordance with the definition “What is Innovation”?

Nomination forms can be completed online at http://www.niia.com.au. Applications need to have a photo and 200 words about the business, group or individual and their innovative idea attached.