May 22, 2023

Message to students - 22 May, 2023

Dear Students, I hope you all had an enjoyable weekend.

I hope some of you managed to take part in the IDAHOBIT event held on the Wollongong campus last Wednesday. It was a celebration full of vibrancy, fun and inclusivity. The atmosphere was fantastic as students and staff came together to embrace diversity, fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance. Thank you for making UOW such a welcoming and inclusive place to be.

Stress Less Week

Firstly, I am thrilled to announce our Stress Less Week launches today. The team at UOW Pulse has planned a range of activities, workshops and events to help you take a breather, unwind and find some balance.

You can expect FREE food, interactive wellbeing workshops and designated chill zones where you can unwind and take a break from your busy schedules. There’ll be yoga, boxing and hula hooping events. Don’t miss the Wellness Workshop on Mindfulness on Tuesday or an iconic UOW event – the Drag Bingo at UniBar on Monday.  To follow all the exciting details, please visit the dedicated Stress Less Week website.  The Stress Less Hub with a self-care station will be located opposite the Library awning between Tuesday 23 May and Thursday 25 May.

Your Thrive checklist 

1. Check your exam timetable on and create a study calendar to keep track of deadlines;
2. Take a mental break with UOW Pulse Stress Less activities;
3. Complete the Being Well, Living well module for strategies to improve your wellbeing;
4. Check the for tips on how to prepare for your exams, what to bring and where to get support;
5. Complete the Proctorio practice quiz (if you have an online invigilated exam).

UOW in India

As you may have already , the University of Wollongong is expanding its global reach and embracing new horizons. In a landmark meeting with the Indian Prime Minister, Shri. Narendra Modi, we have received official approval to establish a teaching location in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). This makes us the second Australian university operating in India! We are thrilled to bring our exceptional education offerings to this vibrant nation and continue our legacy of providing high-quality Australian teaching, learning and research to students from around the world. The journey begins this year, and we can't wait to embark on this remarkable venture together.

Yours and Owls at UOW

I am also delighted to share another exciting collaboration that will deepen our ties with the local community. For the next three years, each October, our Wollongong campus will be hosting the . Yours and Owl is the brainchild of three talented alumni – Ben Tillman, Adam Smith and Balunn Jones, all of whom studied at UOW (Adam undertook a degree in economics while Ben and Balunn majored in psychology).

As part of the partnership with UOW, Yours and Owls will take over the campus location for the two-day music festival, with UOW’s grounds, ovals and laneways coming alive to the sounds of some of the world’s best artists. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase our vibrant and diverse campus community to the wider public. At UOW, we are not just a centre for education and research but an integral part of the fabric of our community, fostering creativity and collaboration.

Hop on your bikes and get a free brekkie

Lastly, I hope you all mark your calendars for 31 May as we have an exciting community sporting event called Ride2UOW taking place. Led by Healthy Cities Illawarra and with UOW, Wollongong City Council, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District and Transport for NSW as partners, this non-competitive cycling event aims to promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. There will be two guided rides, one starting from Wollongong Town Hall and the other from Towradgi Beach Park, both culminating in a warm welcome at the UOW Wollongong campus with a complimentary breakfast and coffee. Riding together with UOW's Chief Strategy Officer Richard Cook, Wollongong's Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery and staff from UOW, Wollongong City Council and the Illawarra Hawks will make this event even more memorable. To participate in this fantastic event, register online. 

I look forward to seeing you on campus next week for Stress Less Week, learning how to meditate, cycling or just enjoying your student life at UOW.

Warmest regards,

Trish