Changes for PhD's and Other Research Students - of /courses

More documents

Recommendations

Info

2 The Postgraduates Students’ Association Executive President Vice President Academic Wayne Pihema PhD Management wayne.pihema@vuw.ac.nz Ed Challies PhD Geography ed.challies@vuw.ac.nz Vice President Education Treasurer Hayley Brown PhD History hayley.brown@vuw.ac.nz Pala Molisa PhD Accounting pala.molisa@vuw.ac.nz Exec Member Exec Member Nestar Russell PhD Public Policy nestar.russel@vuw.ac.nz Zhang Wei Masters Geography zhang.wei@vuw.ac.nz Exec Member Roger Hopkins Masters Architecture roger.hopkins@vuw.ac.nz Executive Assistant Sue Kelly sue.kelly@vuw.ac.nz Exec Member Sam Mackay Masters Law sam.mackay@vuw.ac.nz No Photo Available Exec Member Lisa Sacksen MA History sacksen001@msd.govt.nz No Photo Available 2
Shar pening up the organisational effectiveness of the PGSA 3 How can we, the PGSA as an organisation most effectively support your postgraduate progress? How can we as an executive make sure that we are serving the postgraduate community effectively? These are questions we asked ourselves at the end of last year, wanting to start the new year fresh. We decided to hold a one-day retreat at Paekakariki and ask ourselves the basic questions that should be the basis of our organisation's existence: Why do we exist? What is our reason for being? How can we more effectively fulfill this ‘reason for being’? How can we more effectively create a nurturing and supportive postgraduate experience here at Victoria? We found we needed to create a strong organisational culture. We then focussed on whether the present constitution reflected the needs of the present postgraduate community and its’ executive. We also looked at how we could better utilise our collective membership to get more done. The results are a revamped constitution which will be put to members for a vote at the PGSA Annual General Meeting to be held at 5.30pm on Monday May 28 at Kelburn Parade 20. The changes will be posted on faculty notice boards by May 18. The other major change has been the creating of workgroups. Workgroups are specially formed to deal with a specific issue over a specific timeframe (usually three months) and replace former strategy of executive committee members trying to do many different things at once. There are presently workgroups convened to look at the constitutional revamp, a relationship agreement with VU- WSA, an inaugural postgraduate colloquium (to be held in August/September this year), the refurbishment of the Wakefield Trinity Computer Suite in Kelburn Parade 20 and most recently, a working group to study the impacts of the newly released research policy. Working groups were responsible for organising the Victorias Awards Dinner last year and the postgraduate Orientation events held earlier this year. The great change has been the freedom this gives executive members to get on with the issue at hand and get it done. The working groups are relatively autonomous but report to the executive on a regular basis. Working group convenors may also co-opt needed skills from outside the executive and this has led to a wider pool of skills at the service of the postgraduate community. The PGSA executive is always on the look out for postgraduates who might be interested in helping build a stronger postgraduate community. If you would like to take part on one of the working groups and you think you have the skill and time/energy to help us make it happen get in touch with Sue Kelly and leave your details and the area that interests you. We would love to hear from you: sue.kelly@vuw.ac.nz PGSA Annual General Meeting to be held on Monday May 28 Monday May 28 is the date the PGSA executive has set for the next PGSA Annual General Meeting (AGM). It will be held at the Seminar Room of Kelburn Parade 20 starting at 5.30pm with drinks and nibbles. The two main issues to be resolved at the AGM will be the revamped PGSA Constitution and the election of PGSA executive members. The main changes in the constitution relate to a strengthening of the roles of the PGSA executive and the PGSA itself, and the ability of the constitution to enable change. The constitution has been going through draft revisions since December when a working group was formed made up of the convener Lisa Sacksen and working group members Wayne Pihema and Sam Mackay. The working group has carefully considered each existing clause of the constitution to check if the clauses support and enable the main aims of the PGSA — to protect, develop and represent the postgraduate community. Both Lisa and Sam have strong contracts experience both acting in either national or international contexts for government organizations. The PGSA Executive is fortunate to have them both on the executive at this time. The election of executive members is crucial to the running of the PGSA. It is hoped for some form of continuity in the management of the PGSA but there is also room for new members with the executive currently running with 8 instead of 10 members. Nominees should expect to have some idea of the PGSA, its constitution and its aims. Other background knowledge such as the important relationships the PGSA has with other university organizations such as VUWSA and the Postgraduate Office would also be helpful. Nominees should also expect to attend fortnightly meetings and to be involved in several of the special events that come up every year and to also assist on the numerous working groups. However the rewards are taking part in a key university wide organisation that supports the growth of the postgraduate community. There will also be a short presentation by Vice-President Education Hayley Brown on the draft research policy now out for consultation. This document needs a strong response from postgraduates as it will shape many of the aspects of postgraduate study that define being a postgraduate here at Victoria. For those of you that attended the highly successful March 1 occasion, there will be more free nibbles, pizza and drinks. 3
Page 1: 1 The Postgraduate News VOLUME 1, I
Page 5 and 6: VUW FACULTY DELEGATES 5 2007 Academ
Page 7 and 8: CLASSIFIED NOTICES 7 7 STUDENT LEAR
Page 9 and 10: Dear Mature Student CLASSIFIED NOTI
Page 11 and 12: 11 VACANCIES 11 APPLICATION PROCEDU
Page 13 and 14: VACANCIES 13 Planning and Reporting
Page 15 and 16: VACANCIES 15 Internships at the New
Page 17: The Last Word: Reviewing the Review

Changes for PhD's and Other Research Students - of /courses

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?