October 19, 2022

Message to students - 19 October, 2022

Dear students, I hope that you are staying safe through the wet weather many areas are currently experiencing.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms are predicted to continue across the week, so please keep an eye on road conditions  before travelling. Never drive, ride or walk in floodwater.  

Stress Less Week 

Our Stress Less Week exam study and wellbeing events begin today and run into next week. As it says on , Stress Less Week brings together study tips, exam advice and wellbeing activities to help you de-stress and do your best in your end-of-session exams. There are so many wonderful resources available for almost every question you might have, or relaxation session you might need. This time of year can be tough, so do check in with yourself, and seek out what’s on offer.  

UOW in the top 250 universities globally  

The 2023 Times Higher Education World Universities Rankings came out last Wednesday, in which UOW maintained its position in the top 250 global institutions. The University has moved up two places to achieve an equal 11th rank in Australia.  

The education sector in Australia and around the world is still evolving from the disruptions caused by the pandemic. This ranking is a testament to our academics, who have ensured that the quality of teaching and learning remains outstanding, amidst the barriers to accessing quality education during the pandemic. These rankings also reflect UOW’s engagement with local communities to support students through scholarships and partnering with local industry to develop job-ready graduates in these regions. It’s also thanks to you, our students, for persevering and taking the challenges of the pandemic in your stride.  

Make your voice heard 

The Subject and Teacher Evaluation by Students (SEBS and TEBS) surveys are now open. This is an opportunity for you to make your voice heard on important aspects of learning and teaching at UOW. Your insights will be used by teachers to improve subjects, teaching practices and learning outcomes. I encourage you to please complete the 5-10 min survey/s emailed to you via UOWMail. We thank you in advance for your feedback and for giving us this opportunity to improve the overall student learning experience. Each survey you complete will give you a chance to win a $500 VISA gift card. T’s & C’s apply. 

UOW Respect Week recordings 

In other news, I’d like to once again thank those who attended our inaugural UOW Respect Week. It was a huge success and something we’re very proud of here at UOW. 1,000 students and staff registered for events across the week and found the discussions both informative and engaging. These are much-needed conversations and I’m very happy to announce the recordings of the daily Empower Hour sessions are now available to watch online. 

Sending our continued support to our Iranian students 

The protest movement continues in Iran. The death of Mahsa Amini awakened a burning desire to see the expansion of women’s rights – human rights – in Iran. As the protests continue, UOW sends our support. We believe strongly in the upholding of human rights globally and stand in solidarity with those working to achieve these goals. We recognise that these events continue to be deeply distressing to many, especially our Iranian community.  

Enjoy the rest of your week and stay safe from the weather. 

My best,  
Trish