Snapped on (and off) campus

Left to right: Dr Daniel Ghezelbash; The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG, Justice of the High Court of Australia and Co-Chair, IBA Human Rights Institute; Arash Bordbar, refugee youth advocate and winner of the 2016 Young People’s Human Rights Medal; and Professor Mary Crock, Professor of Public Law at Sydney Law School, a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law, solicitor and Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law

Daniel Ghezelbash launches book to packed hall

During March, law school senior lecturer Daniel Ghezelbash launched his book Refuge Lost: Asylum Law in an Interdependent World. The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG gave the guest lecture.

“This is a powerful and timely expose of how and why governments around the world are adopting restrictive laws and policies for refugee applicants and their families. Hopefully, it will inform a timely turnaround from the current dark chapter in local and international refugee law and policy.”

Asia Society Australia Mobility Scholarship

Macquarie University and Asia Society Australia have announced a new collaborative scholarship to enable students to undertake long-term exchange programs in a leading university in Asia.

This will enable the University’s undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students to deepen their understanding of Asia and strengthen their interpersonal, academic and professional capabilities to be Asia-engaged and globally-competent leaders.

The $500,000 annual scholarship fund will support 50 students to undertake studies in Asia with the recipients of the scholarship to be given the opportunity to spend one semester studying at a leading Asian university while also obtaining credit towards their Macquarie University degree.

‘The collaboration with the Asia Society supports one of the key elements of our international strategy: to develop globally-engaged graduates who are fluent in the languages and cultures of a region that is of increasing economic and strategic importance to Australia. We are very excited to be able to provide more opportunities for our students to study at leading universities across Asia,” says Nicole Brigg, Pro Vice-Chancellor (International).

Dr Ronika Power bends the ear of the Prime Minister

In celebration of International Women’s Day 2018, Dr Ronika Power, Senior Lecturer in Bioarchaeology in the Department of Ancient History and Macquarie’s own Superstar of STEM, was invited by the Prime Minister’s Office to attend a roundtable discussion and morning tea at Burwood Girls High School. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Australian of the Year, Prof Michelle Simmons from the University of NSW, Minister for Women, Hon. Kelly O’Dwyer, and the local member and Minister for Small and Family Business, Hon. Craig Laundy.

The group was treated to a tour of the school and its STEM facilities before gathering in the library to hold discussions about key issues surrounding gender equity and women in STEM. The student leadership group then followed this year’s theme to #PressforProgress by asking tough questions of the panel, including pressing them on government policies about flexible working agreements and the gender pay gap, but also asking them to share their stories of the inspirational women who have been role models and mentors in their lives.

Tree Planting Event

The University held its latest tree planting event last Friday. More than 50 staff and students attended, planting trees and other native plants in specially chosen habitat zones near the West 5 ‘eco-carpark’ and learning about horticulture techniques in the process.

John Macris, Biodiversity Planner in the Property team, says: “In keeping with Macquarie’s commitment to replanting two trees for every one impacted by development, this planting offsets trees and plants impacted by construction of our new Arts Precinct and Central Courtyard projects.

“I’d like to thank everyone who joined us at the event to help enhance the biodiversity of our campus. Between us, we were able to plant 25 trees, and more than 150 other native species spanning a wide variety of local plant types.”

The afternoon kicked off an autumn planting spree that will add some 260 trees to the campus in the coming weeks.

Neta shaves her head for a cause

Sixteen years ago, Neta’s mother died from bowel cancer and every year she does something around the time of her mother’s birthday to celebrate her life.

This year Neta Mahbubani, from the Faculty of Business and Economics, shaved her head to raise money as cancer is an ugly disease and she believes that whatever we can do to eliminate it, we should. “I can’t climb Mt Everest, do a marathon or sing, but this I can do,” she says.

“I have now raised $3600 and everybody has been so generous – from the barber who shaved my hair for free to the generosity of the Faculty and all friends and family.”

Who cares about lymphoedema?

Lymphoedema is swelling caused by damaged or abnormal lymphatic vessels and requires ongoing monitoring and management. The Australian Lymphoedema Education, Research and Treatment (ALERT) program, based at MQ Health, offers management of all types and stages of lymphoedema, supported by research and education initiatives, to provide the best service to patients.

March saw MQ Health get involved with lymphoedema awareness month. Alert organised a public forum; Who cares about lymphoedema? The event was attended by around 100 people, primarily patients and their families/carers. During the event healthcare professionals and a patient told of their experience with lymphoedema, what can be done to manage the condition and new treatments available to help people. In particular, Jasmine O’Donoghue shared her experience of being diagnosed at a very young age, how this affected her and what the positive impact of having liposuction has made to her life.

Earth Hour success

The Centre for Environmental Law Roots & Shoots Group made over 80 sustainable soy candles for Earth Hour participants in exchange for a pledge to switch off and support climate change action. Check out their awesome results in the video!

Gender Equity Week
Last month the University celebrated Gender Equity Week and International Women’s Day. Check out some of the highlights below.