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NEWSLETTER PREVIOUS ISSUES----

JUNE 2010

Brought to you by NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION (NUPSA)

Items in the newsletter -
1. Your NUPSA Executive
2. Upcoming Workshops
• Building an Effective Relationship with your Supervisor and Tips for Success June 16
• Stress and Time Management Strategies for Resilience and Wellbeing July 8
3. Upcoming Functions
• Free BBQ City Campus July 22
• Free Lunch Callaghan Campus August 5
4. 2010 National Research Student Survey
5. How to Contact NUPSA

NUPSA does appreciate that many students are undertaking their degrees on-line or off-campus, and are unable to participate in the functions held at the Callaghan Campus.

1. NUPSA EXECUTIVE 2010
There have been some recent changes to the NUPSA Executive Committee membership. The following postgraduate students have been elected to the NUPSA committee for 2010.

President Alan Murray
Vice-President Kanishk Kumar
International Student Representative Min Chen
Equity Officer Nicholas Batt
Education Officer (Research) Amelia Leotta
Education Officer (Coursework) Sahar Doroodgar
Campus Rep (Ourimbah) Carlos Bohorquez
Campus Rep (Callaghan Satellite) Amir Dizaji
General Executive Member (Women’s Officer) Nagmeh Navidi & Irene Munro
General Executive Member Manish Singh
General Executive Member Shahab Hemmati

2. UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

NUPSA and Counselling will be holding the following two workshops for postgraduate students.

Workshop: Stress and Time Management Strategies for Resilience and Wellbeing
Date: Thursday July 8 2010
Time: 10-12:30
Room: The Hunter Meeting Room (HA158), Hunter Building, Callaghan Campus
Facilitator: Teresa Dluzewska, Senior Counsellor, University Counselling Service.
RSVP: July 7 2010
Cost: Free
Numbers for both workshops will be limited, so you are asked to email the NUPSA office (nupsa@newcastle.edu.au) if you will be attending either workshop.
Light refreshments will be provided at the above workshops.
For more details of upcoming workshops go to:
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/students/research-higher-degree/current-students/skills-training.html
3. UPCOMING FUNCTIONS

• FREE BBQ FOR POSTGRADUATE AND HONOURS STUDENTS CITY CAMPUS

Postgraduate and honours students are invited to join fellow students for dinner
Date – Thursday July 22, 2010
Time – 4.30pm
Venue – Level 3 University House

To assist with catering you are asked to email the NUPSA office (nupsa@newcastle.edu.au) if you will be attending. Vegetarians will be catered for.

The BBQ will provide a chance to catch up with NUPSA Executive members.

• FREE LUNCH FOR POSTGRADUATE AND HONOURS STUDENTS CALLAGHAN CAMPUS

Postgraduate and honours students are invited to join fellow students for lunch
Date - Thursday August 5 2010
Time - 1.00pm
Venue - The Glasshouse, Bar on the Hill, Callaghan Campus

To assist with catering you are asked to email the NUPSA office (nupsa@newcastle.edu.au) if you will be attending.
Vegetarians will be catered for.

The lunch will provide a chance to catch up with NUPSA Executive members.

• FREE LUNCH FOR POSTGRADUATE AND HONOURS STUDENTS OURIMBAH CAMPUS

There will be a free lunch for Ourimbah Campus students in Semester 2. Further details will be announced in an upcoming Newsletter.

4. 2010 NATIONAL RESEARCH STUDENT SURVEY

All RHD students are invited to participate in the 2010 National Research Student Survey being run by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) for the Australian Government, with the support of the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA).

The survey focuses on career path opportunities for research postgraduates as early career teachers and researchers.
Your views are vital in helping to improve opportunities and support for research students, and in planning for the future of Australia's academic workforce.

You can complete the survey form by clicking this link:
http://ausse-survey.acer.edu.au/hdr.php?u=ccb1

Please copy and paste the link into your internet browser if this link does not take you to the survey form.

If you respond by Friday 25 June 2010, you will have the opportunity to win one of fifteen $500 book vouchers.
If you have any questions about the survey or would like further information please contact ACER, at highereducation@acer.edu.au or the CAPA President at president@capa.edu.au.

5. HOW TO CONTACT NUPSA

Telephone number is (02) 49218894
email - nupsa@newcastle.edu.au

Check out the NUPSA web site - nupsa.org.au

Or join our facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=264598005764

MAY 2010

Brought to you by NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION (NUPSA)

Items in the newsletter -
1. Counselling Corner - Tips for Success
2. Counselling Corner - Stress and Time Management Strategies for Resilience and Wellbeing
3. Upcoming Workshops
4. Redkite Scholarships
5. PhD Study
6. 3 Minute Thesis
7. How to Contact NUPSA

NUPSA does appreciate that many students are undertaking their degrees on-line or off-campus, and are unable to participate in the functions held at the Callaghan Campus.

1. COUNSELLING CORNER TIPS FOR SUCCESS

Hugh Kearns and Maria Gardiner, two well known Consultants and Researchers, offer training to doctoral students worldwide with the aim of sharing strategies for success. In their book “The Seven Secrets of Highly Successful PhD Students” They suggest that you:

• Maintain your relationship with your supervisor
• Hold a positive state of mind. You can do it if you persist. Don’t confuse who you are with what you write.
• Be realistic about the scope of your thesis and the task of learning to become a researcher.
• Treat your PhD like a job where you work regular hours.
• Write early and often and seek regular feedback from your supervisor.
• Manage your time and tasks. Say no to distractions.
• Ask for help.
To read more about Hugh and Maria’s tips go to
http://www.grad.ac.uk/downloads/documents/PGR%20tips%20archive/PGR%20Tips%20Issue%2013.pdf.

If you’re available don’t miss Hugh’s workshop on the seven secrets of success held from 2-5pm on Monday May 24 in GP201sponsored by the Office of Graduate Studies.

“The seminar focuses on developing habits that will help RHD candidates work effectively with their supervisor, encouraging writing and taking a proactive approach to their thesis. It is suitable for students at all stages of their candidature”.

For further information go to http://www.newcastle.edu.au/students/research-higher-degree/supervision/workshop-series.html
Send us your tips for success
As a community of Postgrads studying coursework and research masters and Phd’s, we’re aware that you have a wealth of experience about what might help and hinder the Postgrad Journey. We’d really like to hear from you if you have any tips or strategies you’d like to share with your peers just starting out on their journey. Send your tips for success to nupsa@newcastle.edu.au and we’ll put these together anonymously in summary form for our July newsletter.

Strategies for the balanced researcher
In a recent publication for the UK GRAD Programme ”The balanced researcher” Hugh Kearns and Maria Gardiner also offer strategies for keeping research work in balance with the rest of your life.

Ten strategies for keeping your work in balance
1. Make a plan
2. Pick the right things
3. Make time for research
4. Learn how to say NO
5. Delegate
6. Set realistic standards
7. Write regularly (and then submit it!)
8. Don’t check your email first thing in the morning
9. Use the 3 Ds of paperwork (do it, diarise it or ditch it)
10. Deal with distractions

Ten strategies to keep the non-work part of your life in balance
1. Establish boundaries between work and non-work
2. Get a routine
3. Ask your significant others
4. Be present
5. Book breaks and holidays
6. Delegate, outsource, get help
7. Exercise, diet and health
8. Me time
9. Review your priorities
10. Have fun!

To read more about these strategies go to
http://www.vitae.ac.uk/CMS/files/Vitae-Balanced-Researcher-June-2008.pdf

2. STRESS AND TIME MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR RESILIENCE AND WELLBEING

Most postgrads feel the pressure of study during their candidature. Some students manage challenges well and others would like to cope better.

What is stress? Stresses occur when we think there are too many demands and believe we don’t have enough resources to handle them. This can be a negative experience. When it goes on for too long it can disturb the body’s functioning. Stress is not necessarily bad for you but it needs to be managed if it’s causing symptoms.

Stress is experienced differently by everyone and the signals of overload are also different for each of us. You need to be sensitive to any early warning symptoms and signs that show stress is pushing you towards ill being. Such signals also differ for each of us.

Learn your stress signals. Do you experience any of the following physical symptoms: insomnia, headaches, anxiety, indigestion, tiredness, jitteriness, body tension, or frequent illness? These can be normal body responses to stress and are commonly known as stress symptoms.
Psychological and emotional symptoms include: irritability, low mood, avoidance of work, loss of self-confidence, self-esteem distractibility, loss of focus and concentration. These signs and symptoms can be subtle may go unnoticed until often ignored until it is too late.

Stress management is the ability to understand stress and reduce its effects by choosing the best way to adapt to demands.

Identify your sources of stress. Research candidates identify the following concerns and challenges: difficulty in completing post grad tasks on time, presentations, failing to meet their own expectations, lack of work life balance, personal health problems, dealing with stress, difficulties relating to supervisors and maintaining relationships outside of uni.

Recognize how you deal with stress:
What post grad and other situations do I find most stressful?
How do I respond to stress physically?
How do I respond to stress psychologically/emotionally?

Being organized can help you manage your time effectively and reduce stress. Here are a few steps:
Step 1: clarify your broad goals, set specific goals breaking them down into manageable chunks
Step 2: plan your time, map tasks and set deadlines for each; write a schedule in your diary
Step 3: prioritize tasks, develop a to-do list if this works for you
Step 4: write a little every day and stay on top of your work,
Step 5: check out what worked and what didn’t
Step 6: review and revise your plans as you go
Step 7: congratulate yourself

Resilience is the ability to rebound after a difficult experience. Resilient people have the capacity to adapt to changes and to keep functioning physically and psychologically. Being aware of your strengths, skills and abilities can help you ride out the ups and downs of postgrad demands.

Recognize your strengths:
What strategies do I have to manage stress?
Which coping mechanisms work best for me?
What helps me bounce back from challenging experiences?

You can use positive emotions to build your psychological resilience and reduce the impact of stress. Accept problems as they happen, detach and look at them from a distance without self criticism. You can use your resources i.e. time, finances and energy to find healthy ways to manage stress and take care of yourself. Seeing past problems and reaching out for help can also help.

Cheerfulness is the best promoter of health, and is as friendly to the mind as to the body. Joseph Addison (English essayist, poet, and dramatist; 1672–1719).

Proactively managing stress and building your resilience makes a difference. If you’d like to attend a workshop to share and learn more practical strategies to maintain your balance and wellbeing please register by emailing NUPSA at NUPSA@newcastle.edu.au by July 7 2010.

Workshop: Stress and Time Management Strategies for Resilience and Wellbeing
Date: Thursday July 8
Time: 10-12:30
Room: The Hunter Meeting Room (HA158), Hunter Building, Callaghan Campus
Facilitator: Teresa Dluzewska, Senior Counsellor, University Counselling Service.

Dealing with Procrastination
The University Counselling Service has developed a new tip sheet with tips for dealing with procrastination. Check it out at
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/Resources/Divisions/Services/Academic%20Registrar/Student%20Support%20Services/Counselling/procrastination.pdf

Building an effective relationship with your supervisor

To access a helpful tip sheet from last year’s NUPSA newsletter about “Building an effective relationship with your supervisor” please go to
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/Resources/Divisions/Services/Academic%20Registrar/Student%20Support%20Services/Counselling/postgradsupervisor.pdf

For further guides on establishing roles and expectations refer to
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/Resources/Divisions/Research/Office%20of%20Graduate%20Studies/Research%20Higher%20Degrees/supervision/supervision_docs/MoU.pdf

At any stage of your research it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on your relationship with your supervisor. You might like to:
• Discuss your progress at regular intervals. For example, you could ask, do you think I’m managing to get enough work done between our meetings? Is your supervisor expecting you to be more independent as this point? How is the balance of critique and support from them?
• How are you going in terms of your research plan and project management? It helps to keep a record or journal of your progress. Are you both on the same page in regard to your timetable for completion?
• Set regular supervision meetings with agendas and note down action plans.
• What’s getting in the way of being able to taking the next step? For example, do you need to learn a new skill?
• Be aware of the emotional ups and downs associated with the post grad journey and seek support. For example, it’s common to doubt yourself at times, feel lonely or lost or overwhelmed. At such times it’s easy to procrastinate, move off track and avoid meeting with your supervisor. If you’ve lost touch, contact them today.
• Take opportunities to become involved in your learning community, for example, buddy up and discuss your work with one of your peers, practice presenting your work.
• Ask your supervisor for examples of what makes a good thesis.
• Some warning signs: If you feel fatigued or unmotivated; find that you’re constantly changing your research topic; avoiding meetings with your supervisor; no longer catching up with your department/fellow students or you’re not submitting drafts for feedback, seek support. You are welcome to contact NUPSA, the Office of Graduate Studies, Dean of Students or the University Counselling Service at any time. To contact counselling phone 49215801 or email counselling@newcastle.edu.au.

If you’d like to attend a workshop on “Building and maintaining an effective relationship with your supervisor”, please register by emailing NUPSA at NUPSA@newcastle.edu.au by June 15 2010.

If you have any suggestions for topics you’d like us to address in our newsletters, please email us at NUPSA@newcastle.edu.au or call into Room HA209 in the Hunter Building.

3. UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

NUPSA and Counselling will be holding the following two workshops for postgraduate students.

Workshop: Building an Effective Relationship with your Supervisor and Tips for Success
Date: Wednesday 16 June 2010
Time: 10am-12:30pm
Room: The Hunter Meeting Room (HA158), Hunter Building, Callaghan Campus
Facilitator: Dianne Kirby, Counsellor, University Counselling Service.
RSVP: June 15 2010
Numbers for both workshops will be limited, so you are asked to email the NUPSA office (nupsa@newcastle.edu.au) if you will be attending either workshop.
Light refreshments will be provided at the above workshops.

The Highly Effective Researcher Seminars

NUPSA and the Office of Graduate Studies are pleased to announce that Hugh Kearns, an international expert on doctoral research and Maria Gardiner, a clinical psychologist from Flinders University, will run two seminars and a master class for RHD candidates in May.

Seminar 1: The Seven Secrets of Highly Successful PhD Students.
This seminar is open to all RHD students.

Presenter: Hugh Kearns
Date: Monday 24 May
Time: 2.00 – 5.00 pm
Room: Lecture theatre GP201

The seminar focuses on developing habits that will help RHD candidates work effectively with their supervisor, encouraging writing and taking a proactive approach to their thesis.

Students who attended this seminar last year rated it 9.2/10 and every student said they would recommend it to others.
RSVP to alison.chapman@newcastle.edu.au

Seminar 2: Turbo charge Your Academic Writing: Increase your research output.
This seminar is open to all RHD students.

Presenter: Maria Gardiner
Date: Tuesday 25 May
Time: 2.00 – 5.00 pm
Venue: HB13

This workshop is designed for RHD students and early career researchers and teaches high output, low stress scholarly writing that is suitable for either those wishing to publish more/higher quality or those writing their thesis. It aims to make a measureable increase to the number of articles submitted or thesis progress.

RSVP to alison.chapman@newcastle.edu.au

Master class: Defeating Self Sabotage

Attendance at this seminar is limited to 30 participants – please read the details below.
The Masterclass is limited to 30 participants as individual attention is given to each participant. You must be a RHD candidate in at least your SECOND (full time equivalent) year of candidature to attend the class.

The Masterclass is held over two half days:

Monday 24 May 9.30 – 12.30 pm and
Tuesday 25 May 9.30 – 12.30 pm.

Please read the Masterclass document which provides full details. You will need to be able to commit to attending BOTH sessions and doing some small tasks between sessions. The first 30 to reply will have a place reserved. RSVP to alison.chapman@newcastle.edu.au

4. REDKITE SCHOLARSHIPS

Know where you want to be but having trouble getting there? Dare to Dream with a Redkite Scholarship, open to young Australians 16 to 24 who have had a diagnosis of cancer at some point in their life.

Redkite has been supporting young people diagnosed with cancer for over 26 years. Getting through cancer can be tough and interrupt study, work and other areas of personal interest in their life. We want to support young people diagnosed with cancer to get them where they want to go!

Applications for 2010 are now open and the following scholarships will be available:
• 1 x $5000 National Scholarship (Given in addition to one of the $2000 State or Regional Scholarships)
• 6 x $2000 State and Regional Scholarships (NSW/ACT, Hunter Region, QLD, SA/NT, WA, VIC/TAS)
• 12 x $1000 High Commendation Awards
• 12 x $500 Encouragement Award
If you are a young person who needs a step up or if you believe a Redkite Scholarship can support a young person you know achieve their dreams, applications close 5pm, Monday, 5 July 2010.

To apply or for more information on Redkite’s Scholarship Program, please visit www.redkite.org.au/scholarships

5. PhD STUDY

You are invited to participate in a Research into PhD Study, which is being conducted by Professor Sid Bourke, Dr Robert Cantwell, Dr Jill Scevak, and Professor Allyson Holbrook, from the School of Education at the University of Newcastle. The research is also part of Ms Janene Budd’s doctoral research at the University of Newcastle, which is being supervised by Dr Jill Scevak and Dr Robert Cantwell. This project is funded by the Australian Research Council (DP0987446).

Why is the research being done?

The purpose of the research is to investigate how doctoral candidates perceive and manage the personal and academic demands of doctoral study. It is well recognised that the demands of doctoral study are great, and require significant effort and management by candidates and their supervisors/advisors. This research aims to better understand the processes involved in undertaking doctoral study, and to assist in developing effective ways of supporting PhD students to successful completion.

Who can participate in the research?

We are inviting students who are currently enrolled in a Doctor of Philosophy programme to participate in this research. For PhD students attending a university outside Australia, participation is open to those who have completed the Coursework requirements and are in the Dissertation stage of their PhD programme.

What choice do you have?

Participation in this research is entirely your choice. Whether or not you decide to participate, your decision will not disadvantage you in any way. Only people who give their informed consent will be included in the project. If you give informed consent to participate, you may still withdraw from the project at any time without giving a reason. You also have the option of withdrawing any data that may identify you, simply by clicking the appropriate link on the website.

Full details are provided at:

http://www.phdstudy.net/consent.aspx

If you have any questions, please contact the research team at email: phdstudy@newcastle.edu.au or by telephoning (+61 2) 4921 5901.

6. THREE MINUTE THESIS

This year the University of Newcastle is introducing the Three Minute Thesis Competition for research higher degree candidates. Originally introduced in 2008 by the University of Queensland, the competition will expand to a national level in 2010.

WHAT IS IT?
Research Higher Degree candidates have three minutes to give an engaging and dynamic response to the question "Tell me about your research?" to an intelligent but non-specialist audience.

WHY DO IT?
The Three Minute Thesis Competition supports the development of research students’ capacity to communicate ideas effectively to a range of non-specialist audiences and to the wider community.
Competing is a lot of fun and generates public and media interest in what researchers do.

PRIZES
The University of Newcastle finalist will receive $1500, the runner up $1000, and third place winner $500. These funds will be made available for research related costs. The finalist will also receive a return airfare and 1 night’s accommodation to participate in the National/Trans-Tasman competition at the University of Queensland on 21 September 2010. Entrants must be available to attend the national/Trans Tasman competition.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ENTER?
Currently enrolled Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy candidates.

WHEN IS IT?
Each Faculty will host heats on the dates below. Please contact your faculty representative for timing and venue information. Heat and contact details are:

Business and Law
18 May 2010
Kerri.Foulds@newcastle.edu.au

Education and Arts
28 July 2010
Julia.Dunn@newcastle.edu.au

Engineering and Built Environment
25 June 2010
Chanel.Hopkinson@newcastle.edu.au

Health
4 June 2010
Shirley.Savy@newcastle.edu.au

Science and Information Technology
1 June 2010
Anna.Honeysett@newcastle.edu.au

Up to four finalists per Faculty will progress to the University of Newcastle final.

The Office of Graduate Studies will host the UoN Final on 4 August 2010.

HOW TO REGISTER
To compete in the Three Minute Thesis competition please send an email to the relevant Faculty contact listed above. You will then be directed to a registration form and provided with further information such as venue and time of the Faculty heat. All registrations must be made at least one week prior to the relevant Faculty heat date listed above.

FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information please visit
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/students/research-higher-degree/current-students/three-minute-thesis.html or contact Tanille.Elley@newcastle.edu.au

7. HOW TO CONTACT NUPSA

Telephone number is (02) 49218894
email - nupsa@newcastle.edu.au

Check out the NUPSA web site - nupsa.org.au

Or join our facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=264598005764

MAY 2010

Brought to you by NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION (NUPSA)

Items in the newsletter -
1. NUPSA Executive 2010
2. Urgent message Auchmuty Library
3. PhD study
4. NUPSA Annual Dinner
5. How to contact NUPSA

NUPSA does appreciate that many students are undertaking their degrees on-line or off-campus, and are unable to participate in the functions held at the Callaghan Campus.

1. NUPSA EXECUTIVE 2010

To follow on from last months newsletter please find a little bit about some more of the NUPSA Executive:

Equity Officer - Nick Batt
Nick is a research student in Electrical Engineering, working on electric machines and wind energy. He completed his combined Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Arts at Newcastle University in 2007. This is his second year of research and as a member of NUPSA executive. He currently holds the office of Equity Officer.

Education Officer (Coursework) - Amir Dizaji
Amir completed his undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering in Iran in 2008 and has been doing MBA and master of applied finance in university of Newcastle ever since. He is interested in soccer, tennis, movies (but not scary ones!) and socialising with people. Helping to improve standards in postgraduate education especially in city campus was the main reason that attracted Amir to be a part of NUPSA.

Campus Representative (Callaghan Satellite) - Kanishk Kumar
Kanishk completed his Bachelor in Business Administration in India in 2007 and then, jumped into the corporate world. Soon, he realised the importance of further studies and therefore, came to University of Newcastle for MBA and Master of Marketing in 2009. Apart from being a person with sharp business acumen, he has a strong interest in University's Governance especially with regard to satellite campuses and Postgraduate teaching and learning experience. Having worked with NUPSA as a General Executive Member in 2009 and now, as Campus Representative (Callaghan Satellite) Kanishk is keen to enhance the level of teaching and learning at the University by working closely with the students and the administration. He is also a Postgraduate Student Member at the Academic Senate and Faculty Board (Business and Law).

Campus Rep Ourimbah - Carlos Bohorquez
Carlos is a new member of the NUPSA Committee as Ourimbah campus representative. Carlos is a Marine Science PhD student in second year conducting a Caulerpa taxifolia genetic and morphology study. He is a mature student coming back again into the academic arena. There is many staff that can improve our performance in the University and NUPSA would be an organization to also can help to achieve better results supporting the most genuine interest of the postgraduate students.

General Officer (Women’s Officer) - Nagmeh Navidi
Nagmeh Navidi completed her undergraduate degree in Electrical engineering in 2008 in Iran and at the time she is doing Master of Engineering Management here in Newcastle University. Cooking, watching movies and swimming are Nagmeh’s hobbies. Nagmeh likes to share her experience with other postgraduate students, especially international students who are studying in a different culture with a different language.

General Officer (Disability Officer) - Sahar Doroodgar
Sahar finished her Bachelor in Agricultural Engineering by the year 2008 and now doing her Masters of Business Administration at the University of Newcastle. Sahar joined NUPSA in her second trimester to get more experiences about Australian communities and university, and also to be useful to improve the educational environment for recent students.

2. URGENT MESSAGE AUCHMUTY LIBRARY

As part of the mould remediation process in the Auchmuty Library -The journal reading room (formerly open stack) will be closed for cleaning until further notice. This means that only library staff can access the area to retrieve material. Requests for material will need to be made at the loans desk manually. Then the material will be retrieved regularly.

3. PHD STUDY

http://www.phdstudy.net/consent.aspx

If you have any questions, please contact the research team at email: phdstudy@newcastle.edu.au or by telephoning (+61 2) 4921 5901.

4. NUPSA ANNUAL DINNER

Although it is still some way off, set aside Friday November 5 2010 in your diary for the NUPSA Annual Dinner. The venue for the dinner will be the Bella Vista Function Centre, Mayfield.

The dinner is being sponsored by the GraduateSchool.com Pty Ltd which will enable the tickets to be subsidised. Ticket costs have yet to be decided, but it is anticipated price will be about $25.00 for University of Newcastle postgraduate students and $35.00 for other guests.

The number of guests will be limited, so if you wish to get in early and reserve some tickets let the NUPSA office know (email <nupsa@newcastle.edu.au).

Once again, NUPSA will be seeking nominations for the NUPSA Supervisor of the Year Award (SOYA) and Teacher of the Year Award (TOYA) from research and coursework postgraduates. It is anticipated nomination forms will be available from the NUPSA office early September. Recipients of the awards will be announced at the dinner and a presentation made.

Faculty awards for outstanding work by students during the year are also presented at the dinner.

For new students, the NUPSA Annual Dinner is the Association's formal event for the year. The dinner offers an opportunity for senior University Administration staff, academics, general staff, and postgraduate students as well as guests, to enjoy each others company.

Further details for the function will be included in future newsletters and on the NUPSA web page.

5. HOW TO CONTACT NUPSA

Telephone number is (02) 49218894
email - nupsa@newcastle.edu.au

Check out the NUPSA web site - nupsa.org.au

Or join our facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=264598005764

APRIL 2010

Brought to you by NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION (NUPSA)

Items in the newsletter -
1. NUPSA Executive 2010
2. FREE lunch for postgraduate students, followed by the 2010 NUPSA Annual General Meeting (AGM) - Tuesday April 27 2009 - 1.00pm for lunch
3. NUPSA Annual Dinner
4. 3 Minute Thesis
5. Office of Graduate Studies upcoming Seminars
6. NUPSA Affiliated Social Clubs
7. How to contact NUPSA

NUPSA does appreciate that many students are undertaking their degrees on-line or off-campus, and are unable to participate in the functions held at the Callaghan Campus.

1. NUPSA EXECUTIVE 2010

A little bit about some of the NUPSA Executive:

President - Ben Dean
Ben Dean has been a proud student of the University of Newcastle since 2003. He completed a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in 2006 and He is currently studying towards a PhD in Statistics. Outside of University, Ben is a volunteer life saver and a member of the State Emergency Service. Ben enjoys helping and contributing to the community.

Vice-President - Alan Murray
Alan completed his Engineering and Computer Science undergraduate degrees at Newcastle in 2005 and has since been working to complete his PhD in Computer Engineering. Whilst being technically minded, he has a strong interest in University Governance especially with regard to research and postgraduate advocacy. In his (somewhat limited!) free time he enjoys playing tennis, swimming at the beach and socialising with friends over a good cup of coffee or nice glass of wine. As 2010 Vice President, he is keen to help improve the standard of postgraduate education here at the University of Newcastle, especially during this time of significant change in both postgraduate numbers and campus geography.

Education Officer (Research) - Irene Munro
Irene is part of a team of very committed and caring postgraduate students which forms the NUPSA Committee. For two years she has been the Education Officer (Research) on NUPSA and the student representative on the University Research Committee. Now in the final year of her PhD, she likes to use her experiences to help other postgraduate students resolve issues that are standing in the way of them progressing with their work.

International Students Representative - Min Chen
Min Chen got her Bachelor of Science in Wuhan University, China in 2008, and then she came here to further her study as a RHD student in Environmental Engineering.
Min started a club affiliated under NUPSA last year and it has been running it quite well. Joining NUPSA as the International Student Rep this year, she would like to try her best to help international postgraduate students who are unhappy with something on campus. Min is also assisting promote soil clubs and organise activities/events for international students to lead to a better study life in Australia.

General Executive Member - Melinda Phang
Melinda is a new member of the NUPSA Committee. She is a PhD student in her second year conducting human clinical trials in her cardiovascular research studies. Having completed her first year, being the hardest part of a PhD; she believes that motivation, and time management as well as balance are essential to a successful start to postgraduate study. With her experience, Melinda would be able offer support and advice through NUPSA to post graduate students with difficulty getting started.

2. FREE LUNCH FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS, FOLLOWED BY THE 2010 NUPSA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)

Postgraduate and honours students are invited to join us for a free lunch:
Date - Tuesday April 27 2010
Time - 1.00pm
Venue - The Glasshouse, Bar on the Hill

Notice is hereby given that the 2010 NUPSA Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday April 27, commencing at 1.30pm. The AGM will be held immediately following the free lunch.

If you will be attending the event you are asked to contact the NUPSA office (email <nupsa@newcastle.edu.au>) so your name can be included on the attendance list - this will help with the catering arrangements. Please let the office know by Wednesday April 21.

The lunch will be a BBQ with catering for vegetarian guests provided.

3. NUPSA ANNUAL DINNER

Although it is still some way off, set aside Friday November 5 2010 in your diary for the NUPSA Annual Dinner. The venue for the dinner will be the Bella Vista Function Centre, Mayfield.

The number of guests will be limited, so if you wish to get in early and reserve some tickets let the NUPSA office know (email <nupsa@newcastle.edu.au).

Faculty awards for outstanding work by students during the year are also presented at the dinner.

Further details for the function will be included in future newsletters and on the NUPSA web page.

4. THREE MINUTE THESIS

WHAT IS IT?
Research Higher Degree candidates have three minutes to give an engaging and dynamic response to the question "Tell me about your research?" to an intelligent but non-specialist audience.

WHY DO IT?
The Three Minute Thesis Competition supports the development of research students capacity to communicate ideas effectively to a range of non-specialist audiences and to the wider community.
Competing is a lot of fun and generates public and media interest in what researchers do.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ENTER?
Currently enrolled Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy candidates.

WHEN IS IT?
Each Faculty will host heats on the dates below. Please contact your faculty representative for timing and venue information. Heat and contact details are:

Business and Law
18 May 2010
Kerri.Foulds@newcastle.edu.au

Education and Arts
28 July 2010
Julia.Dunn@newcastle.edu.au

Engineering and Built Environment
25 June 2010
Chanel.Hopkinson@newcastle.edu.au

Health
4 June 2010
Shirley.Savy@newcastle.edu.au

Science and Information Technology
1 June 2010
Anna.Honeysett@newcastle.edu.au

Up to four finalists per Faculty will progress to the University of Newcastle final.

The Office of Graduate Studies will host the UoN Final on 4 August 2010.

5. OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDIES SEMINARS
In 2010 the Office of Graduate Studies will be running seminars on topics of general interest to all students such as 'Working with Your Supervisor' , 'Understanding the Requirements of Thesis Examination', 'Understanding the Confirmation Year Process' and 'Human Ethics Application Processes'.
Two seminars have been organised that are particularly relevant to new RHD candidates.
The details are below – if you wish to attend please RSVP to: alison.chapman@newcastle.edu.au.

UNDERSTANDING THE CONFIRMATION YEAR PROCESS
This seminar explains the reasons that students undertake confirmation, the requirements and the process.
Presented by Prof. Scott Holmes, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) and Dean, Graduate Studies.
Date: Wednesday 14 April
Time: 10.00 – 11.30 am
Place: Lecture Theatre HB13

HUMAN ETHICS APPLICATION PROCESSES
Presented by Assoc. Professor Alison Ferguson, Chair, Human Ethics Committee.
The seminar covers the importance of obtaining ethics approval and the application procedures.
Date: Friday 7 May
Time: 11.00 – 12.30pm
Place: Lecture Theatre GP201

These two seminars will be recorded with Lectopia and will be available from Blackboard for downloading.
To locate the venues, you can access the Callaghan Campus map at: http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/campus-maps/callaghan-campus.html

Hugh Kearns and Maria Gardiner will once again visit Newcastle to deliver their popular series of seminars, 'The Highly Effective Researcher' including the seminars 'The 7 Secrets of Successful PhD Students' and 'Turbocharging Your Writing'. Dates are yet to be set - students will be notified by email

6. NUPSA AFFILIATED SOCIAL CLUBS

NUPSA has some funds available to be used for social functions, through the NUPSA Affiliated Social Clubs initiative.

Each Club will need to apply for NUPSA affiliation and have a minimum of ten postgraduate student members.

Details for the initiative are available from the NUPSA office, so if you are interested please contact the office at your convenience.

7. HOW TO CONTACT NUPSA

The NUPSA office is located in Room HA150 (opposite Huxley Library) Hunter Building, Callaghan Campus.
The office is open on a part time basis with core hours being from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm Monday to Friday.
Telephone number is (02) 49218894
email - nupsa@newcastle.edu.au
Check out the NUPSA web site - nupsa.org.au
Or join our facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=264598005764

MARCH 2010

Brought to you by NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION (NUPSA)

Items in the newsletter -

1. NUPSA - Your Student Association
2. NUPSA Executive 2010
3. NUmail
4. LaTeX Workshop – An Introduction to LaTeX
5. NUPSA Affiliated Social Clubs
6. Professor John Maynard talk
7. Free Trimester 1 BBQ April 15
8. Upcoming Events
9. How to contact NUPSA

A warm welcome to all new postgraduate students - and welcome back to continuing students.

This newsletter will be distributed regularly during the year, using the NUmail address for contact.

Students undertaking their Honours degree and undergraduate students completing a double degree (or a second degree) are also sent the newsletter, as there may be items of interest for these students in the newsletter.

However, if you do not wish to receive future copies of the newsletter simply let the NUPSA office know (email <nupsa@newcastle.edu.au>) and your name can be removed from the distribution list.

Items for inclusion in the newsletter are welcome - please contact the NUPSA office.

1. NUPSA - YOUR STUDENT ASSOCIATION

As an enrolled postgraduate student NUPSA is Your Student Association.
There is no membership fees charged - yes, it is free!

How does NUPSA operate if there is no membership fee?
Through a Service Level Agreement (SLA) between NUPSA and the University of Newcastle, funds are made available by the University in return for NUPSA providing services, representation and support to the postgraduate student community.

Continuing students should be aware, but for new students - what does NUPSA do?
- Supports postgraduate students with issues of concern, such as grievances.
- Represents postgraduate students on a number of University Committees, working parties and sub-committees.
- Conducts seminars and workshops during the semesters.
- Holds some social activities which provide networking opportunities as well as the chance to raise issues with the NUPSA Executive.

Honours students are not members however, are invited to attend NUPSA seminars and workshops. Any honours student who feels NUPSA may be able to assist with a concern is invited to contact the office.

2. NUPSA EXECUTIVE 2010

The following postgraduate students have been elected to the NUPSA committee for 2010.

President - Ben Dean
Vice-President - Alan Murray
Education Officer (Research) - Irene Munro
Education Officer (Coursework) – Amir Dizaji
International Students Representative - Min Chen
Campus Representative (Ourimbah) - Carlos Bohorquez
Campus Representative (Callaghan Satellite) - Kanishk Kumar
Equity Officer - Nick Batt
General Executive (Women’s Officer) - Nagmeh Navidi
General Executive (Disability Officer) – Sahar Doroodgar
General Executive Member - Melinda Phang

There is a vacancy in the NUPSA 2010 Executive for:
General Executive Member
If you are interested in being involved with NUPSA, by taking on the vacant positions, nomination forms, and further details, are available from the NUPSA office.

3. NUmail

NUmail address format
Currently, when you sign in to your NUmail account, by clicking on any of the direct links, or typing http://www.outlook.com into a web browser, you must use the format c1234567@uon.edu.au. Using your student number as your email identity, has been a cause of concern for many students. However, this is only temporary and, by Easter, you will have a new student email address. This will beFirstname.Lastname@uon.edu.au.

Until this change to using your name instead of your student number occurs, you can continue to use your old student email account. Emails sent from this account will carry your old email address. However, when emails are received at this account, they are automatically redirected to NUmail within the university system.
The old studentmail system will be phased out quite soon, but not before the addresses in your address book in student email are transferred across to you in NUmail. Perhaps you might like to clean out your address book of old and unused addresses before this happens to make the transfer easier.

If you have a question in regards to the implementation of NUmail, please send an email to NUmail-questions@newcastle.edu.au. This mailbox is monitored on a daily basis

4. LaTeX WORKSHOP – AN INTRODUCTION TO LaTeX

How to typeset professional papers ready for publication
NUPSA will run a LaTeX workshop designed for postgraduate students with little to no knowledge of LaTeX. By the end of the course, students should be able to create professional looking technical documents using the LaTeX typesetting system. http://www.latex-project.org/intro.html

The course has been designed to be very hands-on, in between a tutorial and a lab. Because of this, there are only enough spaces for the first 20 students that apply. If we get strong interest, we may be able to run more courses. Students will be expected to bring their own laptops. If you don’t have one available, please let us know.

To register your interest for a LaTeX course, please email
nupsa@newcastle.edu.au

Overview of the course
The course consists of two 2-hour sessions spaced one week apart
Wednesday April 7, 2010 (Semester 1 Recess) 9AM - 11AM
ROOM EF 122
• Introduction – What is LaTeX and why is it useful
• Installation
• Basic document templates
• Document Structure

Wednesday April 14, 2010 (Semester 1, Week 6) 9AM - 11AM
ROOM EF 122
• Packages
• Lists and enumeration
• Images and figures
• Referencing and Bibliography
• Overview of advanced features

5. NUPSA AFFILIATED SOCIAL CLUBS

NUPSA has some funds available to be used for social functions, through the NUPSA Affiliated Social Clubs initiative.
Each Club will need to apply for NUPSA affiliation and have a minimum of ten postgraduate student members.

Details for the initiative are available from the NUPSA office, so if you are interested please contact the office at your convenience.

6. PROFESSOR JOHN MAYNARD (DIRECTOR WOLLOTUKA) TALK

CULTURAL CONNECTIONS group meets every Tuesday from 12 till 2pm at The Family Action Centre on Callaghan campus. International Higher Research students, as well as partners of international students are invited to join the group for social contact and information sharing. The theme of the meetings varies from social events to a variety of guest speakers on relevant topics of interest.

On Tuesday 16th March our guest speaker will be Professor John Maynard, Director of the Wollotuka Institute. The Wollotuka Institute is the Indigenous Centre of the university. Wollotuka supports Indigenous students through higher education, as well as fostering links with local, national and international communities through education and research projects.
We are very privileged to have Professor Maynard come and speak about the history and culture of Indigenous Australians, as well as research projects they are conducting internationally.

Upcoming guest speaker topics & events: Visas and Immigration; Surf & Water Safety; Knowing the Law in Australia; International Cook Ups; Picnic in the Park.

If you would like to attend Cultural Connections, please contact the Coordinator: Veronica Clayton
Email: Veonica.Clayton@newcastle.edu.au
Phone: 4921 2066

7. FREE TRIMESTER 1 BBQ FOR POSTGRADUATE AND HONOURS STUDENTS AT NBS

Postgraduate and honours students are invited to join fellow students for dinner
Date – Thursday April 15, 2010
Time – 4.30pm
Venue – Level 3 University House

To assist with catering you are asked to email the NUPSA office (nupsa@newcastle.edu.au) if you will be attending. Vegetarians will be catered for.

The BBQ will provide a chance to catch up with NUPSA Executive members.

8. UPCOMING EVENTS

• The NUPSA AGM will be held in early May this will be held in conjunction with a BBQ for all postgraduate students. Further details will be in the April Newsletter.
• The NUPSA Annual Dinner will be held later in the year (date to be confirmed). This will include the announcement of the Supervisor of the Year Award (SOYA) and Teacher of the Year Award (TOYA) awards for 2010. Further details will be in the April Newsletter.

9. HOW TO CONTACT NUPSA

Telephone number is (02) 49218894
email - nupsa@newcastle.edu.au

Check out the NUPSA web site - nupsa.org.au
Or join our facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=264598005764

NUPSA NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2009

Brought to you by NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION (NUPSA)

To all those students who have recently completed their degrees – Congratulations and all the best for your future studies.

To all our members, our best wishes for Christmas and the New Year. For those of you travelling, our wishes for a safe trip and we look forward to hearing from you in 2010 when NUPSA has plans for more Social Activities and workshops.

Items in the newsletter –
1. Results of NUPSA Elections for 2010
2. Vacant positions on 2010 NUPSA Executive
3. NUPSA SOYA and TOYA Awards for 2009
4. Funds for postgraduate student groups to hold social events
5. Research Participants required - Australian Student Depression Attitudes Survey (ASDAS)
6. How to contact NUPSA

1. RESULTS OF NUPSA ELECTIONS FOR 2010
Nominations were called for members of the Newcastle University Postgraduate Students’ Association (NUPSA) to serve on the NUPSA Executive Committee, from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010.
The results are as follows
President - Ben Dean
Vice-President - Alan Murray
Education Officer (Research) - Irene Munro
International Students Representative - Doris Chen
Campus Representative (Ourimbah) - Carlos Bohorquez
Campus Representative (Callaghan Satellite) - Kanishk Kumar
Equity Officer - Nick Batt
General Executive (Women’s Officer) - Nagmeh Navidi
General Executive Member - Melinda Phang
General Executive Member - Jency Thomas

2. VACANT POSITIONS ON 2010 NUPSA EXECUTIVE
The following positions on the NUPSA 2010 Executive are still vacant :
Education Officer (Coursework)
General Executive (Disability Officer)
If you are interested in being involved with NUPSA, by taking one of these vacant positions, nomination forms, and further details, are available from the NUPSA office.

3. NUPSA SOYA AND TOYA AWARDS FOR 2009

THE NUPSA SOYA and TOYA Awards for 2009 were presented at the NUPSA Annual Dinner held on November 13, 2009.
The winners of the Awards were:

Supervisor of the Year – Dr Chris Paul (Health) nominated by Flora Tzelepis

Teacher of the Year – Dr Rachel Burke (Education) nominated by Rebecca Francis

4. FUNDS FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDENT GROUPS TO HOLD SOCIAL EVENTS
NUPSA will again in 2010 have available funds for postgraduate student groups to hold social events. Although the total amount is limited, NUPSA has some funds available which can be provided to student groups and used towards the cost of holding social events.
How can you obtain some of these funds?
You will need to have ten postgraduate students form a social club and then the club applies to become a NUPSA affiliated social club.
Once the club's affiliation has been approved by the NUPSA Executive Committee you can make an application for funds to hold social events.
There are some guidelines which need to be followed, but it is really quite easy to become an affiliated social club and ask for funds to hold social functions.
If interested - further details are available from the NUPSA office.
Current Social Clubs need to reapply for 2010.

5. RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS REQUIRED - AUSTRALIAN STUDENT DEPRESSION ATTITUDES SURVEY (ASDAS)
*INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN DEPRESSION STUDY*

You are invited to participate in the Australian Student Depression Attitudes Survey (ASDAS).

Depression is among the most common mental health problems experienced by University students. The purpose of the ASDAS is to investigate students' attitudes towards depression and its treatment.

All Australian University students can participate in the study, whether they have personally experienced depression or not.

The online survey is anonymous and will take about 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

Students who participate in the study are eligible to enter a draw to win one of three $100 gift vouchers to a store or shopping centre of their choice (for example - itunes, JB Hi-Fi, Amazon.com, ColesMyer group, etc)

The study is being coordinated by researchers at the University of Western
Australia, and has been approved by the UWA Human Research and Ethics
Committee

To participate in the study, you need to enter a Study ID code. The study
ID code is dtc123

For more information and to participate in the survey, please visit

*http://www.depressionresearch.net* <http://www.depressionresearch.net/>
*STUDY ID CODE =* *dtc123*

Neil McLean (Chief Investigator)
Lecturer, School of Psychology, University of Western Australia
Ph 6488 3580

David Erceg-Hurn (PhD Candidate)
School of Psychology, University of Western Australia
Ph 6488 3245

6. HOW TO CONTACT NUPSA
The NUPSA office is located in Room HA150 (opposite Huxley Library) Hunter Building, Callaghan Campus.
The office is open on a part time basis with core hours being from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm Monday to Friday.
Telephone number is (02) 4921 8894
email - nupsa@newcastle.edu.au
Check out the NUPSA web site - http://www.nupsa.org.au/

OCTOBER 2009

Brought to you by NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION (NUPSA)

Items in the newsletter –
1. Free Lunch October 28
2. NUPSA Annual Dinner
3. Call for nominations NUPSA Executive 2010
4. Postgraduate Room – Auchmuty Library
5. Student Mentors Wanted for 2010
6. How to contact NUPSA

1. FREE LUNCH FOR POSTGRADUATE AND HONOURS STUDENTS
Postgraduate and honours students are invited to join fellow students for lunch
Date - Wednesday October 28, 2009
Time - 1.00pm
Venue - The Glasshouse, Bar on the Hill, Callaghan Campus

To assist with catering you are asked to email the NUPSA office (nupsa@newcastle.edu.au) if you will be attending. Vegetarians will be catered for.

The lunch will provide a chance to catch up with NUPSA Executive members.

3. CALL FOR NOMINATIONS NUPSA EXECUTIVE 2010.
Details for the elections follow – if you wish to nominate for one of the Executive positions a nomination form is available from the NUPSA Office, Room HA150, Hunter Building, Callaghan Campus. Alternatively email NUPSA and a nomination form can be forwarded by email attachment, for completion and return.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS -

Nominations are called from Wednesday, October 7, 2009 for members of the Newcastle University Postgraduate Students’ Association (NUPSA) to serve on the NUPSA Executive Committee, from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010, in the following positions:

President
Vice-President
Education Officer (Research)
Education Officer (Coursework)
International Students Representative
Campus Representative (Ourimbah)
Campus Representative (Callaghan Satellite)
Equity Officer
General Executive (Women’s Officer)
General Executive (Disability Officer)
Two General Executive Members

ELIGIBILITY -
Any member of the Newcastle University Postgraduate Students’ Association may propose or second a candidate and vote in the elections. All members of the Association are eligible for nomination. All currently enrolled postgraduate students are members of NUPSA, by virtue of their enrolment.
The Education Officer (Research) shall be a member enrolled in a research degree; the Education Officer (Coursework) shall be a member enrolled in a coursework degree; the Campus Representative (Callaghan Satellite) shall be a member studying primarily at a Callaghan Satellite; the Campus Representative (Ourimbah) shall be a member studying primarily at the Ourimbah Campus; and the International Students Representative shall be a member whose country of origin is other than Australia.

NOMINATIONS -
A nomination shall be proposed and seconded by two persons entitled to vote in the election and shall bear the written consent of the candidate to the nomination. A separate nomination form must be completed for each candidate. Members wishing to nominate for more than one position can do so but each such nomination shall be on a separate nomination form.
A policy statement of approximately 200 words is requested from nominees and is to be included with the completed nomination form.
To be valid, a duly completed nomination form must reach The Returning Officer, C/- NUPSA Office, Box 5 Hunter Building, University of Newcastle, Callaghan NSW 2308, NO LATER THAN 5.00pm ON Friday, October 30, 2009.

PUBLICATION OF NAMES OF PERSONS NOMINATED -
The names of the persons nominated will be published on the NUPSA Noticeboard, situated in the Hunter Building (Callaghan Campus), University of Newcastle by Wednesday November 4 2009.

VOTING -
If, at the close of nominations, more than one valid nomination has been received for any particular vacancy, a ballot will be conducted.

4. POSTGRADUATE ROOM – AUCHMUTY LIBRARY
The new postgraduate area in the refurbished Flowers room is now open and offers individual and group study areas with more PCs and room for laptops. There are great review and presentation facilities, meeting spaces, lockers, power and data at every seat, comfortable ergonomic furniture and lots of light.
The area is designed especially for postgraduate students and has secure, swipe card access. Visit the information desk in the Auchmuty Information Common to get your student card set up for access.

5. STUDENT MENTORS WANTED FOR 2010
The SOS (Supporting Other Students) Student mentor program is currently seeking expressions of interest for students who are interested in being involved in the mentor program in 2010. The aim of the program is to provide peer support to new students, for whom starting Uni can be an overwhelming experience.
• Gain skills.
• Enhance your resume.
• Make new friends.
• Earn a $100 book voucher.
• Get that warm and fuzzy feeling from helping others.

See http://www.newcastle.edu.au/mentors for more details and to register your interest via the online application form.

Closing date for applications is Friday 30th October 2009.
If you have any questions please email mentors@newcastle.edu.au

6. HOW TO CONTACT NUPSA
The NUPSA office is located in Room HA150 (opposite Huxley Library) Hunter Building, Callaghan Campus.
The office is open on a part time basis with core hours being from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm Monday to Friday.
Telephone number is (02) 4921 8894
email - nupsa@newcastle.edu.au
Check out the NUPSA web site - http://www.nupsa.org.au/

SEPTEMBER 2009

Brought to you by NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION (NUPSA)

Items in the newsletter –
1. Free Lunch October 28
2. NUPSA Annual Dinner
3. SOYA and TOYA nominations
4. Research participants required - Weight Loss Study
5. Funds for postgraduate student groups to hold social events
6. How to contact NUPSA

To assist with catering you are asked to email the NUPSA office (nupsa@newcastle.edu.au) if you will be attending. Vegetarians will be catered for.

The lunch will provide a chance to catch up with NUPSA Executive members.

2. NUPSA ANNUAL DINNER
Tickets for the Annual Dinner are sold out, however if you are still interested in attending this occasion, a waiting list has been established and you will be notified when tickets become available.
The dinner is being sponsored by the GraduateSchool.com Pty Ltd which will enable the tickets to be subsidised. Ticket costs will be $25.00 for University of Newcastle postgraduate students and $35.00 for other guests.
If you wish to get on the waiting list for some tickets let the NUPSA office know (email nupsa@newcastle.edu.au).
3. SOYA and TOYA Nominations
NUPSA is seeking nominations for the NUPSA Supervisor of the Year Award (SOYA) and Teacher of the Year Award (TOYA) from research and coursework postgraduates.
A nomination indicates that each supervisor or lecturer/tutor has risen above normal expectations for the students who nominated him/her and that the calibre of their supervision or teaching is consistently high.

Nomination forms are available from the NUPSA office – Room HA150 Hunter Building. Call into the office to collect a nomination form – alternatively contact the office and a nomination form can be forwarded to you by email attachment.

Nominations will close on Thursday, October 1, 2009.

Recipients of the awards will be announced at the NUPSA Annual Dinner (sponsored by the GraduateSchool.com Pty Ltd) to be held on Friday November 13, 2009.

4. RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS REQUIRED - WEIGHT LOSS STUDY

Volunteers needed for a weight loss study
(Ethics approval: H-159-1205)

If you are interested in losing weight, the Nutraceuticals Research Group would like to hear from you. We are investigating the extent to which the consumption of fish oil assists with weight management.

We are looking for participants between the ages of 18 – 55 years with a BMI of between 30 and 40 kg/m2. Participants should not currently be taking fish oil supplements or anti-inflammatory medication. Involvement in the study will be of 8 weeks duration.

For information about this study, please phone Irene Munro on (02) 4921 5638. If the phone is unattended, please leave your name and contact details on the answering machine.

5. FUNDS FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDENT GROUPS TO HOLD SOCIAL EVENTS
Although the total amount is limited, NUPSA has some funds available which can be provided to student groups and used towards the cost of holding social events.
How can you obtain some of these funds?
You will need to have ten postgraduate students form a social club and then the club applies to become a NUPSA affiliated social club.
Once the club's affiliation has been approved by the NUPSA Executive Committee you can make an application for funds to hold social events.
There are some guidelines which need to be followed, but it is really quite easy to become an affiliated social club and ask for funds to hold social functions.
If interested - further details are available from the NUPSA office.

AUGUST 2009

Brought to you by NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION (NUPSA)

Items in the newsletter –
1. Free Lunch October 28
2. NUPSA Annual Dinner
3. Supervisor/ Student Relationship Workshop Follow up
4. Managing Stress
5. Vacancy on the Nusport Board
6. Community Connections Program
7. How to contact NUPSA

NUPSA would like to extend a warm welcome to all new postgraduate students - and welcome back to Semester 2 for continuing students.
This newsletter will be distributed regularly during the year, using the student mail address for contact.
Students undertaking their Honours degree and undergraduate students completing a double degree (or a second degree) are also sent the newsletter, as there may be items of interest for these students in the newsletter.
However, if you do not wish to receive future copies of the newsletter simply let the NUPSA office know (email <nupsa@newcastle.edu.au>) and your name can be removed from the distribution list.
Items for inclusion in the newsletter are welcome - please contact the NUPSA office.

To assist with catering you are asked to email the NUPSA office (nupsa@newcastle.edu.au) if you will be attending. Vegetarians will be catered for.

The lunch will provide a chance to catch up with NUPSA Executive members.

2. NUPSA ANNUAL DINNER
A reminder to all students that the NUPSA Annual Dinner is on Friday November 13 2009. The venue for the dinner will be the Bella Vista Function Centre, Mayfield.
The dinner is being sponsored by the GraduateSchool.com Pty Ltd which will enable the tickets to be subsidised. Ticket costs will be $25.00 for University of Newcastle postgraduate students and $35.00 for other guests.
The number of guests will be limited, so if you wish to get in early and reserve some tickets let the NUPSA office know (email nupsa@newcastle.edu.au).
Once again, NUPSA will be seeking nominations for the NUPSA Supervisor of the Year Award (SOYA) and Teacher of the Year Award (TOYA) from research and coursework postgraduates. It is anticipated nomination forms will be available from the NUPSA office early September. Recipients of the awards will be announced at the dinner and a presentation made.
Faculty awards for outstanding work by students during the year are also presented at the dinner.
Further details for regarding SOYA and TOYA nominations will be included in the next NUPSA newsletter and on the NUPSA news web page.

3. SUPERVISOR/ STUDENT RELATIONSHIP WORKSHOP FOLLOW UP
NUPSA with the support of Counselling recently held a workshop on Supervisor/Student Relationships. Counselling has kindly put together some brief notes for your reference to follow on from this workshop.
Managing the supervisory process
Congratulations on being a postgraduate student! You’ve embarked on an exciting and sometimes uncertain road with many opportunities ahead. As your academic guide and mentor, your supervisor is one of your key resources. Maintaining a good relationship can make all the difference to your learning journey and academic success. View the relationship as a partnership to achieve your goals and be proactive in your role.

Reflect on yourself
At a personal level, keep your purpose in mind and manage stress so you stay self motivated, enthusiastic and determined. Take stock of your strengths and skills. What does your supervisor need to know about you and your learning style? If you’re an international student, they’ll probably appreciate hearing how you usually study and relate to your professors at home. Ensure you’re aware of your rights and responsibilities as a postgraduate student. Consider what you expect from your supervisor in their role. What do you want them to do for you? How much support and autonomy do you require at this stage? Check in with yourself often.

Reflect on the relationship
Open a conversation about the supervision process and clarify your mutual expectations. You might like to ask “How do you view your role and mine at this stage?” You might also like to develop some understanding of their supervisory style. What would it be like for them to supervise your work? If you have two supervisors encourage them to clarify their expectations with one another. Make some clear agreements about your day to day working relationship. How will you keep in touch? Be professional and organised. Arrange a schedule of regular meeting times. Prepare for meetings ahead of time, set an agenda and keep a record of discussions.

Reflect on the task
Work with your supervisor to formulate a conceptual structure and research plan and take charge of your project, for example, prioritise tasks with deadlines. Write early and often and show your supervisor your writings regularly. When asking for feedback, specify what you’d like comment about, for example, structure or content? Take your supervisor’s advice, feedback and constructive criticism seriously.

Communicate
Communicate openly and use your listening, assertive and negotiation skills. Don’t hesitate to ask for your supervisor’s assistance and say no to any unreasonable demands. Keep them informed of your progress and be honest when things go wrong. Be aware of boundaries and try to respect their time and privacy. Check in periodically about whether your project and the supervisory process are on track. Express appreciation of your supervisor’s genuine efforts. They really want you to succeed.

Address any misunderstandings with your supervisor early on. Don’t forget support available from peers and faculty. If you encounter serious problems seek advice as soon as possible. You can contact NUPSA, the Office of Graduate Studies, Dean of Students or the University Counselling Service at any time. NUPSA conducts workshops on managing the student supervisor relationship. You are most welcome to contact the University Counselling Service for support at any time.
For further information please go to: http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/counselling

Dianne Kirby
Counsellor

4. MANAGING STRESS
NUPSA with the support of Counselling recently held a workshop on Stress Management. Counselling has kindly put together some brief notes for your reference to follow on from this workshop
Post grad success: Manage stress better
Post grad work can be demanding. It’s helpful to develop a frame for thinking about how to manage yourself and your study. Be clear about career goals and think realistically about what you’d like to achieve. Discuss your goals with your supervisor. Identify personal obstacles, pressures and potential difficulties. With planning it’s possible to prevent problems from occurring. Find out about support mechanisms early and use the full resources of the University.
There are many possible ways to reduce stress
Stress happens as we adjust to environmental demands. A little stress can be helpful and energizes us to act. Too much stress has a negative impact. By identifying sources of stress you’re in a good position to deal with the effects on your well being, work and relationships. You can change your source of stress or your reaction to it.
Some tips to reduce stress
• Look at your stressors and your emotional and physical reactions.
• Try to see the stress as something you can cope with rather than something that overwhelms.
• Recognize any faulty thinking. What are you telling yourself about what’s happened? What you tell yourself can trigger a stress reaction. Become aware of automatic negative thoughts when attributing meaning e.g. seeing your stressors in exaggerated negative ways can make events look disastrous. Put the situation in perspective. Avoid focusing on negative aspects and scenarios.
• Examine underlying attitudes and beliefs that lead to unproductive behaviours.
• Build your emotional resilience. Go through a process of clarifying emotions. Identify your feelings, observe how they relate to your behaviours and explore the context in which they occur. Reduce the intensity of emotions by talking to your family, friends, colleagues or supervisors.
• Mindfulness meditation can help to moderate emotional and physical reactions.
A new course is being offered for 5 weeks commencing Monday August 24.
For registration and enquiries please email:
Teresa.Dluzewska@newcastle.edu.au
• Learn to change your physical reactions to stress. Practice slow, deep breathing to bring your heart rate and respiration back to normal. Muscle tension can be reduced by relaxation techniques or yoga.
• Exercise for cardiovascular fitness a few times a week e.g. walking, swimming, cycling, or jogging.
• Eat well.
• Get enough sleep.
• Avoid nicotine, too much caffeine or alcohol.
• Take regular breaks when you can.
• Develop some mutually supportive relationships.
• Mix work and leisure. Maintain a network of colleagues and social connections in the University and community.
• Enjoy your achievements.

For further support or if you have any further questions, you’re welcome to make an appointment at the University Counselling Service.
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/counselling/make-an-appointment/

Teresa Dluzewska
Senior Counsellor

5. VACANCY ON THE NUSPORT BOARD
A vacancy exists on the Nusport board of directors in the position of Elected Student Director.

Students enrolled through the Callaghan campus for more than 12 months and who are members of clubs or who have purchased a 12 month Forum membership are eligible to stand for election to the NUsport Board.

Nominations close 12 August.

Anyone who is interested in this position should contact ADRIAN IAKIN for more information.

ADRIAN IAKIN
Executive Officer & Company Secretary
Newcastle University Sport
University Drive
Callaghan NSW 2308
Phone: (02) 4921 6961
Fax: (02) 4921 7005
Web: http://www.theforum.org.au/

6. COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS PROGRAM (run by International Students Support)
Community Connections Program is a support program for Research Students, partners of International Students and partners of visiting academic members of staff.
They provide information about services in the local community, to better understand Australian customs and culture, to develop friendship, to gain confidence in speaking English and to build networks that will support them while they are living in Newcastle.
Where: Family Action Centre
When: Tuesday 12pm to 2pm
Cost: FREE
Who: Partners of International Students and partners of visiting academic staff (no children)
For more information please contact Veronica Clayton

VERONICA CLAYTON
Community Program Coordinator
Phone: (02) 4921 2066
Fax: (02) 4921 7016
Email: Veronica.Clayton@newcastle.edu.au

7. HOW TO CONTACT NUPSA
The NUPSA office is located in Room HA150 (opposite Huxley Library) Hunter Building, Callaghan Campus.
The office is open on a part time basis with core hours being from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm Monday to Friday.
Telephone number is (02) 4921 8894
email - nupsa@newcastle.edu.au
Check out the NUPSA web site - http://www.nupsa.org.au/

JUNE 2009

Brought to you by NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION (NUPSA)

Items in the newsletter -
1. NUPSA Workshops
- Stress Management Workshop – Thursday 18th June
- Supervisor/Student Relationship Workshop – Thursday 9th July (note change of date from Thursday 2nd July)
2. FREE lunch for postgraduate students - Thursday 30th July 2009
3. General Safety Issues
4. Academic Pathways -Teaching and Learning program for Research Higher Degree students
5. Research participants for Spatial Ability Study 3: Group 1
6. Funds for postgraduate student groups to hold social events
7. Newcastle Chinese Students and Scholars Association social event
8. How to contact NUPSA

NUPSA does appreciate that many students are undertaking their degrees on-line or off-campus, and are unable to participate in the functions held at the Callaghan Campus.

1. NUPSA WORKSHOPS
- Stress Management Workshop – Thursday 18th June
- Supervisor/Student Relationship Workshop – Thursday 9th July

NUPSA and the Counselling Services Division invite you to attend two workshops being held - details are:

STRESS MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP
Date: Thursday 18th June 2009
Time: 10.00am to 12.00pm
Workshop Presenter: Teresa Dluzewska, Counsellor

SUPERVISOR/STUDENT RELATIONSHIP WORKSHOP
Date: Thursday 9th July 2009
Time: 10.00am to 12.00pm
Workshop Presenter: Dianne Kirby, Counsellor
PLEASE NOTE THE NEW DATE (previously advertised to be held Thursday 2nd July) FOR THIS WORKSHOP

Both workshops will be held in the Hunter Meeting Room (HA158) in the Hunter Building, Callaghan Campus.

Numbers for the workshops will be limited, so you are asked to contact the NUPSA office (email <nupsa@newcastle.edu.au>) should you wish to attend.

The workshops are free and light refreshments will be provided by NUPSA.

2. FREE LUNCH FOR POSTGRADUATE AND HONOURS STUDENTS

Postgraduate and honours students are invited to join fellow students for lunch
Date - Thursday 30th July 2009
Time - 1.00pm
Venue - The Glasshouse, Bar on the Hill, Callaghan Campus

To assist with catering you are asked to email the NUPSA office (nupsa@newcastle.edu.au) if you will be attending.
Vegetarians will be catered for.

The lunch will provide a chance to catch up with NUPSA Executive members.

A further lunch will be held on Wednesday 28th October.

3. GENERAL SAFETY ISSUES

a. Student Feedback:

Do you have any comments regarding student safety? If so, NUPSA would like to hear about them.

NUPSA is dedicated to providing assistance to postgraduate students. We are keen to raise any safety related issues with the appropriate divisions of the University. In order to do this, we need your feedback!

Please contact us if you have any issues or suggestions concerning student safety.

b. Safety Tips:

i) Store the phone number for University Security Services in your phone. The emergency number is 4921 5888 for Callaghan campus and 4348 4222 for Central Coast campus. These numbers also appear on the back of student ID cards.

ii) Use the Shuttle Service at night time! This will take you anywhere on campus, or to your home in a surrounding area. The number is 0407 951 470 for Callaghan campus and 0407 250 548 for Central Coast campus. See http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/security/shuttle-bus.html for more information.

iii) Always walk with a friend at night time, and stick to the Priority Walking Route (only at Callaghan campus.) This route is regularly patrolled by University Security Services. See http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/security/ for more information.

4. ACADEMIC PATHWAYS - TEACHING AND LEARNING PROGRAM FOR RESEARCH HIGHER DEGREE STUDENTS

- Are you a Research Higher Degree (RHD) student at the University of Newcastle?
- Do you want to teach at university?

Then participating in the Academic Pathways program may be for you! The Academic Pathways program is a series of ten workshops designed to introduce RHD students to becoming an effective teacher at university, and provide professional development opportunities for those who are interested in pursuing an academic career.

After a successful inaugural program, it is anticipated that there will be further sessions offered for the Academic Pathways initiative. For more information please email the Centre for Teaching and Learning on ctl-tlsd@newcastle.edu.au.

5. RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS FOR SPATIAL ABILITY STUDY 3: GROUP 1

Paid Opportunity for Design and Engineering Students

Spatial ability is as an important predictor of success in design and engineering courses. A research project being conducted in May/June 2009 is giving students of design-based disciplines a paid opportunity to find out their level of spatial ability. This research is limited to 50 places and has educational benefits for design and engineering students.
Participants are required to complete an online 3D understanding exercise twice, with each session approximately one week apart. If you have participated in this or similar research in the past, you are eligible to participate in this current study. Postgraduates and undergraduates welcome. Feedback of spatial skills performance is provided.
The study provides $15/hour reimbursement for your time. The time commitment is approximately 4 hours. For more information or to book your sessions contact the Project Manager, Rebecca Allen.
Email: Rebecca.Allen@newcastle.edu.au
Phone: (02) 4921 5314
Office: AVG23 (Aviation Building)

6. FUNDS FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDENT GROUPS TO HOLD SOCIAL EVENTS

Although the total amount is limited, NUPSA has some funds available which can be provided to student groups and used towards the cost of holding social events.

How can you obtain some of these funds?
You will need to have ten postgraduate students form a social club and then the club applies to become a NUPSA affiliated social club.
Once the club's affiliation has been approved by the NUPSA Executive Committee you can make an application for funds to hold social events.

There are some guidelines which need to be followed, but it is really quite easy to become an affiliated social club and ask for funds to hold social functions.

If interested - further details are available from the NUPSA office.

7. NEWCASTLE CHINESE STUDENTS AND SCHOLARS ASSOCIATION SOCIAL EVENT

The Chinese Students Association is going to have a BBQ party to celebrate the completion of the semester and to farewell students who are going to graduate and leave.

Data & Time: Monday 8 June, 12-3pm (It is a public holiday, so you should be free from work or study)
Place: Jesmond Park, the BBQ place next to the children's playground
Cost: $2.00 per person (same for friends and families, free for children under 10)

We also have prizes for you to win. If you wish to come, please let me know by emailing Yanping.lu@newcastle.edu.au. This helps me to decide the amount of food I need to prepare before hand.

You are most welcome to spread this message among your friends but just need to tell me how many. Thank you!

Look forward to seeing you on Monday 8th June.

Yanping Lu
On behalf of the Newcastle Chinese Students and Scholars Association

8. HOW TO CONTACT NUPSA

The NUPSA office is located in Room HA150 (opposite HuxleyLibrary) Hunter Building, Callaghan Campus.
The office is open on a part time basis Monday to Friday, with core hours being from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm.
Telephone number is (02) 49218894
email - nupsa@newcastle.edu.au
Check out the NUPSA web site - nupsa.org.au

APRIL 2009

Brought to you by NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION (NUPSA)

Items in the newsletter -

1. Stress Management Workshop and Supervisor/Student Relationship Workshop
2. FREE lunch for postgraduate students - Thursday 30th July 2009
3. UoN Services (The U)
4. NUPSA Annual Dinner
5. NUPSA Support for all postgraduate students
6. Family Program Initiative
7. How to contact NUPSA

NUPSA does appreciate that many students are undertaking their degrees on-line or off-campus, and are unable to participate in the functions held at the Callaghan Campus.

1. Stress Management Workshop and Supervisor/Student Relationship Workshop

Stress Management Workshop -
Date: Thursday 18th June 2009
Time: 10.00am to 12.00pm
Venue: The Hunter Meeting Room (HA158), Hunter Building, Callaghan Campus
Workshop will be conducted by Teresa Dluzewska, Counselling Services.

Supervisor/Student Relationship Workshop -
Date: Thursday 2nd July 2009
Time: 10.00am to 12.00pm
Venue: The Hunter Meeting Room (HA158), Hunter Building, Callaghan Campus
Workshop will be conducted by Dianne Kirby, Counselling Services.

Numbers for both workshops will be limited, so you are asked to email the NUPSA office (nupsa@newcastle.edu.au) if you will be attending.

Light refreshments will be provided at the workshops.

The workshops are FREE.

2. FREE lunch for postgraduate students - Thursday 30th July 2009

Postgraduate and honours students are invited to join fellow students for lunch
Date - Thursday 30th July 2009
Time - 1.00pm
Venue - The Glasshouse, Bar on the Hill, Callaghan Campus

To assist with catering you are asked to email the NUPSA office (nupsa@newcastle.edu.au) if you will be attending.
Vegetarians will be catered for.

The lunch will provide a chance to catch up with NUPSA Executive members.

A further lunch will be held on Wednesday 28th October.

3. UoN Services (The U)

UoN Services Limited is an organisation based at the University of Newcastle that manages many facilities and services on campus. These facilities include Bar on the Hill, GT Bar, function rooms, U Print, the United Campus Book Shop, Sta Travel and a range of food and retails outlets.

UoNS offers a Ucard annually that gives students access to a great range of discounts and benefits at a number of the above outlets as well as across Australia through the Ambassador Scheme. Discounts include 10% off at Uprint and at selected outlets, 5% off groceries at Coles and Woolworths through pre-purchased Gift Cards, discounts on function room hire and Ambassador Scheme discounts across Newcastle and Australia. The Ucard is just $50 for the year. For further details or to sign up for a Ucard, please log on to the web address - www.uonservice.org.au - or drop into Uprint.

4. NUPSA Annual Dinner

Although it is still some way off set aside Friday 13th November 2009 in your diary for the NUPSA Annual Dinner. The venue for the dinner will be the Bella Vista Function Centre, Mayfield.

The dinner is being sponsored by the GraduateSchool.com Pty Ltd which will enable the tickets to be subsidised. Ticket costs have yet to be decided, but is anticipated price will be about $20.00 to $25.00 for University of Newcastle postgraduate students, and $30.00 to $35.00 for other guests.

The number of guests will be limited, so if you wish to get in early and reserve some tickets let the NUPSA office know (email <nupsa@newcastle.edu.au).

Faculty awards for outstanding work by students during the year are also presented at the dinner.

Further details for the function will be included in future newsletters and on the NUPSA web page.

5. NUPSA Support for all postgraduate students

Are you experiencing problems? Or do you have a grievance?

As an enrolled postgraduate student you are a member of NUPSA. NUPSA is here to support and represent postgraduate students.

If you have a concern you are encouraged to contact the NUPSA office. Your matter can be discussed in an informal manner and assistance can be provided where possible to resolve matters. All enquiries are treated with the strictest confidence.

Honours students are invited to contact NUPSA if you feel we may be able to assist should you have concerns regarding your degree studies.

6. Family Program Initiative (run by International Students Support)

Family Program is a support program for partners of International Students and partners of visiting academic members of staff.

They provide information about services in the local community, to better understand Australian customs and culture, to develop friendship, to gain confidence in speaking English and to build networks that will support them while they are living in Newcastle.

Where: Family Action Centre
When: Tuesday 10am to 12noon
Cost: FREE
Who: Partners of International Students and partners of visiting academic staff (no children)
For more information please contact Cherlene Robson on Cherlene.Robson@newcastle.edu.au

7. HOW TO CONTACT NUPSA

The NUPSA office is located in Room HA150 (opposite Huxley Library) Hunter Building, Callaghan Campus.
The office is open on a part time basis with core hours being from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (closed Tuesday).
Telephone number is (02) 49218894
email - nupsa@newcastle.edu.au
Check out the NUPSA web site - nupsa.org.au

MARCH 2009

Brought to you by NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION (NUPSA)

Items in the newsletter -

1. NUPSA - Your Student Association
2. Vacant positions on the 2009 Executive Committee
3. FREE lunch for postgraduate students, followed by the 2009 NUPSA Annual General Meeting (AGM) - Wednesday 8th April 2009 - 1.00pm for lunch
4. NUPSA Affiliated Social Clubs
5. Newcastle Christian Students
6. Research participants required -
(a) Headache Study
(b) Platelet function study
7. Ambassadorial Scholarships - Rotary International
8. How to contact NUPSA

A warm welcome to all new postgraduate students - and welcome back to continuing students.

This newsletter will be distributed regularly during the year, using the student mail address for contact.

Students undertaking their Honours degree, and undergraduate students completing a double degree (or a second degree) are also sent the newsletter, as there may be items of interest for these students in the newsletter.

However, if you do not wish to receive future copies of the newsletter simply let the NUPSA office know (email <nupsa@newcastle.edu.au>) and your name can be removed from the distribution list.

Items for inclusion in the newsletter are welcome - please contact the NUPSA office.

1. NUPSA - YOUR STUDENT ASSOCIATION

As an enrolled postgraduate student NUPSA is Your Student Association.
There is no membership fees charged - yes, it is free!

2. VACANT POSITIONS ON THE 2009 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

A number of the positions on the Executive Committee have been filled, these being

Irene Munro - Education Officer (Research)
James Krahe - Ourimbah Campus Representative
Tan Quach - Callaghan Satellite Campus Representative
Benjamin Dean - Equity Officer
Ashan Chaudhry - General Executive member
Michelle Micallef - General Executive member
Lauren Cottrell - General Executive member.

However, there are still some vacant positions:
President
Vice-President
Education Officer (Coursework)
Women's Officer
International Student Representative.

If you are interested in being involved with NUPSA, by taking on one of the vacant positions, please contact the NUPSA office for further details - and a nomination form.

3. FREE LUNCH FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS, FOLLOWED BY THE 2009 NUPSA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)

Postgraduate and honours students are invited to join us for a free lunch:
Date - Wednesday 8th April 2009
Time - 1.00pm
Venue - The Glasshouse, Bar on the Hill

Notice is hereby given that the 2009 NUPSA Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 8th April, commencing at 1.30pm. The AGM will be held immediately following the free lunch.

The lunch will be a BBQ with catering for vegetarian guests provided..

4. NUPSA AFFILIATED SOCIAL CLUBS

NUPSA has some funds available to be used for social functions, through the NUPSA Affiliated Social Clubs initiative.

Each Club will need to apply for NUPSA affiliation and have a minimum of ten postgraduate student members.

Details for the initiative are available from the NUPSA office, so if you are interested please contact the office at your convenience.

5. Newcastle Christian Students

NCS Bible Talks
Wednesdays 4pm during term time - Life Sciences Theatre
Three series of talks in first semester
...starting 4/3: the man you can’t ignore (mark)
...starting 8/4: authentic living (james)
...starting 13/5: salvation belongs to the lord (judges)
Let god’s word shape your thinking & critique our culture
For more information check out the web site - www.newcastlechristianstudents.org

6. RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS REQUIRED -

(a) Headache Study

Individuals are invited to participate in a research study investigating the relationship between neck posture and headaches. You must be between 18-50 years old and not have any conditions that would normally prohibit manual treatment of the neck. The research team are recruiting people with headaches (experiencing at least one headache per week over the last 2 months) and people without headaches (no headaches or neck symptoms for which you sought treatment in the previous 12 months).

This University of Newcastle based project will require you to attend the School of Health Sciences Laboratories in the Hunter Building at Callaghan on one occasion to have an assessment of your neck that includes a postural evaluation and X-rays.
Please note: Pregnant women are unable to participate in this study.

For more information about the study please contact Research Higher Degree candidate Peter Farmer -
email <peter.farmer@studentmail.newcastle.edu.au>

(b) Platelet function study

Volunteers needed for a platelet function study - are you healthy, 25 years or above and would like to contribute to advances in cardiovascular health?
If so, then we would like to invite you to become a participant in our research study.

The Nutraceuticals Research Team is looking into the effects of omega 3 fatty acids (fish oils) in reducing blood clotting tendency which is a risk factor for heart attack and strokes.
We are searching for volunteers aged 25 years or above to participate in our study where we will investigate the beneficial effects of fish oil on platelet function.

For information on the study please contact Melinda Phang - email <melinda.phang@studentmail.newcastle.edu.au>

7. AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS - ROTARY INTERNATIONAL

The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International invites applicants for Ambassadorial Scholarships.

To be eligible applicants must have completed at least two years of university or college course work, or must have a secondary school education and have been employed in a recognized vocation for at least two years when the scholarship begins. All applicants must be citizens of a country in which there is a Rotary club.
Applicants must initially apply through a Rotary club located in the area of their legal or permanent residence, or place of full-time study or employment. Persons with disabilities and members of Rotaract clubs are eligible and encouraged to apply.

The scholarship is for one regular academic year (usually nine months) of full-time study at an institution assigned by The Rotary Foundation Trustees. The Scholarship is intended to defray costs associated with round-trip transportation, one month of intensive language training (if assigned by the Foundation), required fees for a normal course load, room and board, and educational supplies.

For those interested from the Newcastle area applications will close on 1st May 2009.
Also, for the Newcastle area, more information can be obtained by contacting the Chair Scholarships (email <pbentley@tpg.com.au>).

For students outside of the Newcastle area, or overseas, further details can be found on the Rotary International web site - www.rotary.org

8. HOW TO CONTACT NUPSA

The NUPSA office is located in Room HA150 (opposite Huxley Library) Hunter Building, Callaghan Campus.
The office is open on a part time basis with core hours being from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (closed Tuesday).
Telephone number is (02) 49218894
email - nupsa@newcastle.edu.au
Check out the NUPSA web site - nupsa.org.au