July 7, 2015

Exhibition captures 40 years of university student life

An exhibition celebrating 40 years of the student experience at UOW has officially launched.

An exhibition celebrating 40 years of the student experience at UOW was officially launched yesterday (Monday 6 July) by UOW Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Wellings, CBE.

The exhibition, being held in the Library’s Panizzi Room, marks student life at UOW in all its forms from 1975 when the University became independent as Australia’s 18th university.

From the student newspaper, Tertangala, to UOW-TV, a single coffee shop to the choice of many, and from placards to Twitter, UOW student life has evolved into something the very first students may never have imagined.

The Library exhibition explores the changing nature of the student life experience from 1975 to 2015, from its first years as a single campus environment, to today’s world-class institution. The exhibition draws on archival photographic images reflecting the transformation of student engagement with the University, including the growth in student diversity, campus living, travelling to University, student activism and the impact of technology on student learning.

“For many students, their time at university is remembered for the learning experiences, the growth of friendship networks, and the opportunities it presented to be exposed to a diverse range of people and ideas,” according to the Director of Library Services, Ms Margie Jantti (pictured above right).

“This exhibition aims to capture those experiences and how social and technological changes have shaped the way students transition through university life,” she said.

A series of special event presentations will coincide with the exhibition, commencing Friday 10 July at 12.30pm with a panel of alumni from across the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and onwards, sharing and comparing their student life experiences. The presentations will be held on 10, 17, 24, 31 July and 7, 14, 15 (Saturday), 21, 28 August and 4 September. 

The Vice-Chancellor (pictured above left) launched the exhibition in the UOW Library Panizzi Room. Trang Dao reflected on her student experiences as a current international female student. The exhibition is running from June 29 to September 6 with members of the public welcome to attend.