The hidden heroes of the Olympic Games
Meet the UOW alumni behind the scenes of the world’s largest sporting event
Dr Reem Osman: Dubai's game-changing CEO
The UOW graduate's groundbreaking rise to the top of health care in the UAE
Gender expression and my non-binary identity
A personal reflection by UOW staff member Kit West
Home truths on housing affordability
Exploring solutions to the housing affordability crisis in UOW's latest Luminaries webinar
UOW medical student combines passion for healthcare and literacy
Teaching the next generation.
We bring to life subjects that illustrate the impact our students, teaching, research and graduates make in the world.
The Stand exists to unlock the knowledge and expertise inside the University of Wollongong (UOW), telling stories about our people and their accomplishments that inform, educate and inspire. This magazine was born out of a renewed sense of place, purpose and values that will guide the University in fulfilling its role in exploring how to resolve society’s large and complex social, environmental and economic challenges.
We believe education is one of the most powerful transformative forces on communities and individuals. It opens minds and helps people find purpose, meaning – and solutions for the world’s most pressing challenges.
This is our unified story – a story that draws on our past, understands the present, and looks to the future.
Articles
Education, Science and Technology
AI disruption in higher education
In higher education it is a constant challenge to differentiate between original works and AI-generated content. Professor Shahriar Akter says we must prepare the next generation to embrace our humanistic core.
Business and Economy
There's danger in the numbers
As the Reserve Bank of Australia attempts to curb inflation, now could be the perfect time for the government to step in and lend a hand, writes Dr Paul Mazzola.
Law, Politics and Society
How accounting can make the NDIS more equitable
When accounting practices are adapted to respect and include First Nations perspectives, they can become a powerful tool for change.
Business and Economy, International
Putting healthy snacks on the global map
The health food industry has an image of exclusivity, but this UOW graduate is looking to change that.
Business and Economy
Three pivotal strategies for harnessing talent
Harnessing and optimising talent has never been more critical. As leaders and managers strive to navigate the complexities of talent management, the principles outlined in my new book, Rethinking Talent Decisions: A Tale of Complexity, Technology, and Subjectivity, offer a beacon of light.
Alumni
Fighting for a better life
Travis Fernandez has lived a life of ups and downs, but his passion and savvy for business has helped him thrive.
Alumni, Research
Securing the financial future of women
Meet the UOW graduate and researcher who are each leading the way for women in finance.
Alumni
The business of a positive mindset
Upon her return to India following the completion of her MBA at Sydney Business School, UOW, Umang was determined to make a positive impact on mental health.
Alumni
From commerce to choreography
Teagan Huntsdale is passionate about dancing, but her path to business ownership wasn’t as straightforward as you’d expect
Alumni, Business and Economy
Diving into entrepreneurship
When he graduated in 2019, Curtis Tredway thought his love for the ocean would have to wait for the weekends.
Arts and Culture, Alumni, Business and Economy
Lecturer by weekdays and a rapper, as fate would have it
Growing up in Surabaya, Indonesia and raised by a single mother, Yani Oktaviana loved listening to a variety of music genres from a young age, but it was hip hop that would eventually win her heart.
Business and Economy
Celebrating Indigenous-led entrepreneurship
Creating not just a business but a movement with a mission to heal and educate
Business and Economy
Light after darkness
Professor Brendan Lyon knows better than most that there’s always light after darkness.
Business and Economy
Investing in a sustainable future
When Dr Searat Ali introduced the concept of sustainable finance to his postgraduate students, he encountered some initial scepticism.
Business and Economy
Has Moral Hazard returned to US Banking?
US regulators on Sunday night, intervened to avert a potential international financial crisis caused by a bank run on two US based banks – Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank.
Arts and Culture, Alumni
Kicking goals in the digital space
COVID lockdowns weren’t overly productive for most people, but Reece Carter used the downtime to reshape his career.
Alumni
The business of community
When he started his higher education journey in 1987 at the University of Wollongong (UOW), Matt thought he would be standing in front of a classroom teaching the next generation of students.
Alumni
UOW graduates living large in New York’s finance bullseye
For more than two centuries New York’s finance district has stood as a symbol of financial power and success.
Alumni
Chasing calm
Chelsea Pottenger was fighting for her life in a psychiatric hospital when she made the decision to focus on how she wanted to feel. Calm. She moved out of the city, left her corporate career and learned the tools to achieve this feeling. Then she set out to help others feel it too.
Going global puts Wollongong company on the map nationally
Marketing and technology whiz Geoff McQueen was an undergraduate student at the University of Wollongong when he built his first company, Internetrix, in 2001.
Students
Driving change in healthcare technology
Imagine if patients across Australia had access to life-changing drugs faster than ever before.
Students
Sophie's decision to study at UOW was life-changing
Sophie Imbert was 20 when her parents presented her with a choice - move to Sydney or London to study at university.
Students
A world-class business and law degree close to home
When Martin Abdelsayed was finishing high school, he knew he wanted to pursue his business and legal passions.
Business and Economy, Community
The ride of a lifetime
When the eyes of the world focus on the Illawarra this September, as the UCI Road World Championships bring the best in the sport of cycling to the region, there will be few people more excited than Dean Dalla Valle.
Students
Four things learnt studying Supply Chain Management
To people who are pursuing or have considered studying commerce or business, the decision of choosing a major can be challenging.
Alumni
Determination breeds innovation
When University of Wollongong alumna, Maryanne Harris was completing her exercise science degree, she could never have predicted where her career would take her. Stumbling into the wrong things, paired with her passion for helping people, became the driving force in her life.
Alumni
Disrupting the logistics space
Budi Handoko is an ideas man. Despite growing up in the small Indonesian town of Singkawang, West Kalimantan, his vision for himself was cross-continental.
Alumni
Equality in the boardroom
Elizabeth Proust AO has rightly earned a reputation as one of Australia’s leading business figures and change-makers. She has excelled in high-profile and influential leadership roles, traversing both the public and private sectors, and has been a trailblazer, role model and mentor for many women.
Alumni
The future of work
In 2019, trying to get a seat on a train or navigating peak hour traffic was a daily struggle as 26,000 Illawarra workers made their way to work. But in 2020, commuting became something only essential workers braved, while the rest of us set up makeshift offices in the kitchen, bedroom or garage.
Alumni
Life’s circles
When Zachary Bennett-Brook and his partner Tara Burrows decided to marry in spring last year they weren’t going to let a pandemic dampen proceedings.
Alumni
Double Vision
Amy and Beth Glancey are a formidable force. The identical twins share far more than a birthdate and mirror-image DNA – both are articulate, insightful communicators, positively crackling with energy, ambition and the confidence to achieve anything they set their minds to.
Alumni
Helping women succeed
Helping future female leaders by providing support, guidance and access to advance their career is key, according to Professor Grace McCarthy, Dean of Business at UOW’s School of Business.
Arts and Culture, Community, Education
Chancellor Jillian Broadbent farewells UOW
Chancellor Jillian Broadbent AC has always sought a life of contribution.
Health and Medicine, Community, Study areas
The wellness myth
Wellness is a state of being, a catchcry that encompasses the Instagram generation’s focus on good health and living well.
Community, Arts and Culture
When Ernest met Tek
When Ernest Bukasa met Teklemariam Mengistu in 2013 “something clicked”. Both had fled war-torn African countries and arrived in Australia as refugees before settling in Wollongong.
Alumni
Taking charge of sustainable business
An interest sparked during an undergraduate product marketing subject, combined with a personal passion for automobiles created the perfect formula for a diverse marketing and PR career journey for UOW Business alumnus, Ross Purdy.
Alumni
Creating a brighter future for Papua New Guineans
Life in the third world has never been easy. Access to health care, sanitation, education and general safety has been a constant battle for many. The Coronavirus pandemic has added a whole new layer of health management to an already underprivileged nation.
Alumni
A sustainable lens on COVID-19
Dr Belinda Gibbons is a Senior Lecturer at the Sydney Business School, University of Wollongong. On September 25th 2015, 193 member states came together to sign Agenda 2030.
Alumni
Protecting paradise
From a young age, Ahmed Adham Abdulla (Adham) loved the sea and swimming in clear lagoons with friends and family. Which is understandable growing up with the pristine waters of the Maldives on your doorstep.
Alumni
Putting people first
As organisations find themselves adopting a culture of remote working, keeping employees connected and engaged is more important than ever.
Alumni
The Australian bushfire crisis
When we think of summer time, we think of barbeques, late afternoon swims at the beach, and enjoying time with friends and family. It’s been a summer like no other. The ABC reported that more than 12.6 million acres across Australia were burned, 434 million tonnes of CO2 was emitted, half the population was affected by smoke and an estimated one billion animals were killed.
Alumni
Making better financial decisions
There’s nothing like a global pandemic to force us to reassess our lives and lifestyle. Things we previously took for granted have suddenly leapt into focus, and we are paying much closer attention to the things that keep us safe and secure.
Alumni
Meet our 2020 Alumni Awards winners
Each year, UOW Alumni Awards uncover exceptional alumni who are making a mark in the world. In 2020 we proudly celebrate the achievements of four outstanding winners who are taking great strides in their careers, creating innovation in business, demonstrating professional excellence and having a remarkable impact on society.
Alumni
Making an impact
UOW alumni across the globe are making it their personal mission to tackle some of the world’s most prevalent environmental and societal issues, one United Nations Sustainable Development Goal at a time.
Alumni
Delivering sustainability
Australia Post isn’t just about delivering your mail these days. It is also delivering on its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as are many other Australian businesses, big and small.
Alumni
Eye for design
At 31 years old, the Hong Kong based entrepreneur swapped the aviators for creating his own brand of designer glasses – now worn by celebrities, fashion elite and even royalty around the world.
Alumni
Forging skills in demand
As the world enters Industry 4.0 or the Fourth Industrial Revolution, many are wondering how the impacts of new automated technologies will affect our jobs as we know it.
Alumni
Microfinancing for macro results
After her husband lost his job, Lalani, a woman in rural Sri Lanka, needed something that would provide an income for her family, but allow her to stay at home and look after her newborn child.
Alumni
Out of the box
There’s no substitute to hands-on training – or is there? Two University of Wollongong alumni are proving there is.
Alumni
True crime wave
Exploring the ethics and boundaries at play in true crime podcasting. “A beautiful young girl has lost her life, and she’s just been treated like a piece of garbage.”
Alumni
Working for change
In the early 90s Paul Power landed what was then considered a sought-after job in journalism on a regional daily that was one of the first in Australia to embrace colour in its page design.
Alumni
Making an impact
The UOW alumni community is made up of some pretty incredible people. Here we celebrate members of our global community who are establishing themselves as tomorrow’s leaders.
Alumni
One sense of purpose, multiple careers
In a bold and rewarding move, UOW Commerce alumnae Anna Broadhead and Kristy Duffy traded corporate careers for a passion project.
Alumni
A passion for public service
Who would have thought that when Gareth Ward became the disabilities officer at the University of Wollongong, that – fast forward almost 20 years – he would be the first NSW Minister for Disability Services who actually had a disability?
Alumni
A spirited start-up
Two words aptly define young businessman, Dean Martelozzo – diligent and determined – whether it’s the focus and discipline to power through daily work challenges, the resilience to overcome traumatic injury, or the drive to chase the big dreams.
Alumni
AI at work
Joel Robbie started Nod as a way to solve a family problem. Now the fintech start-up has been listed on KPMG’s coveted FinTech 100 as a company to watch.
Alumni
The Wright stuff
Matthew Wright remembers his University of Wollongong graduation ceremony in 1994 with great pride as well as a touch of amusement over dodging a wardrobe malfunction.
Top 20 skilled careers in 2023
With rapid changes in technology, it can be hard to know which jobs will still be around in a few years' time.
Business and Economy
The rise of the influencer
The use of influencers in marketing is not a new thing.
Business and Economy
The future of Australia's banking sector
We’ve heard what’s wrong with Australia’s banking sector, here’s what experts want to see in the future.
Business and Economy
Finding time to study as a mum, manager and student
In the busy life of Renee Connolly, sometimes a little help goes a long way in finding time to study.
Why I choose to work and study
UOW student Cassie Green is here to tell you a bit about her experience of working and studying.
Alumni
Recruiting success
In their first semester studying for a commerce degree at University of Wollongong, Tom Moore and Luke Rix failed accountancy 101.
Alumni
Fighting crime by the numbers
“The work I do is definitely demanding and challenging and can be daunting at times. But at the end of the day it’s intellectually rewarding for me.”
Alumni
The Google within
Transitioning from the top echelons of a centuries-old global banking institution to the fluid and freewheeling world of Google might be a daunting prospect for some. Not so for Brendan Castle.
Alumni
Mike's TV reality
There’s not a suit or a tie in sight on the 20th floor of Mike Sneesby’s Kent Street headquarters in Sydney. There is clean, barely furnished spaces and sweeping views over Darling Harbour, Western Sydney and to the Blue Mountains beyond.
Alumni
Recognising exceptional alumni
Meet this year’s recipients, delivering real and sustained impact across research, innovation and business and create a better society for us all.
Alumni
Making an impact
The UOW alumni community is made up of some pretty incredible people. Here we celebrate younger members of our global community who are establishing themselves as tomorrow’s leaders.
Alumni
The year at UOW
For UOW, 2018 has been a year defined by where we’re from, and a year that defined where we’re going.
Alumni
Living the luxe life
Luxury brands have a way of making a sophisticated lifestyle look effortless. Jessica Sparks spoke to three UOW alumni working for luxury brands and discovered it’s not all jet planes, islands and tigers on a gold leash.
Alumni
A house like no other
It is almost impossible to think of Sydney without conjuring to mind one or both of the city’s major landmarks: the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.
Alumni
Banking on change
It’s a turbulent time in the world of banking. According to James Wyatt, that just makes it all the more exciting.
Business and Economy, Law, Politics and Society
The long journey home
From the battlefields of Afghanistan to the battles with his own mind, law student and former special forces soldier Mick Bainbridge is fighting on.
Business and Economy
Trumping distrust in the corporate world
Mario Fernando can remember the exact moment and place that he realised he was having a career crisis.
Community
Why we believe what we believe
Post-truth, fake news, false amplifiers, silos, alternative facts, information operations - it's hard to know who and what to believe anymore.
Alumni
The tech of success
We spoke with Nick Lazaridis, president of HP Inc’s business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa about succeeding in a global career, exciting tech developments and what inspires him.
Alumni
Gilly goes to Google
UOW Brand Ambassador and Aussie cricketing legend Adam Gilchrist AM had an inspiring message for Google’s staff when he visited recently.
Alumni
Start-ups igniting the world
Bernie Goldie spoke to the UOW graduates taking on the world as global entrepreneurs.
Alumni
The ones to follow
UOW alumni are ambitious, creative and connected and they’re gaining quite a following. Here are just a few we like to follow.
Alumni
Susan Zhang holds up a torch
Susan Zhang describes her role as holding up a torch to all the scary and exciting possibilities the future holds.
Education
Finding courage in the face of tragedy
Battling cancer with your best friend by your side, then losing that friend to the same insidious disease you are fighting.
Business and Economy, Arts and Culture, Study areas
Netflix has your number
Every time you click play, streaming services are capturing data about who you are, what you like, and what you are likely to choose in the future.
General tags, Alumni
Meet the makers – Katherine Sabbath
Katherine Sabbath is a baking queen - a cake creative with an international cult following of more than 435,000 on Instagram. Her creations have inspired thousands of home bakers around the world, she has published her own pop-up cake cookbook and appeared as a guest chef on the 2018 season of MasterChef. But she wasn't always a professional baker.
Law, Politics and Society
Locked out
Is a late-night ban on entry to pubs and clubs making us safe or hurting the business and culture of Australia's largest city?
General tags, Alumni, Health and Medicine
Male nurses determined to break reverse glass ceiling
Simon Lovatt, who graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing from UOW when he was 51-years-old, has joined a growing cohort of male nurses determined to break into the traditionally female dominated industry.
Alumni
2016 Alumni Awards
Across the globe UOW alumni continue to dissolve the boundaries of what’s possible.
Alumni
Giants in their regions
Universities are significant institutions central to the nation’s social and economic development. They achieve this in two major ways. First, by training highly skilled individuals. Second, by creating new knowledge and novel technologies. Both these outputs shape national competitiveness and contribute to our distinctive identity.
Alumni
The art of influence
Though it is easy to see branding as being about logos, typefaces and taglines, in reality these elements are part of a much bigger picture.
Alumni
One degree, two paths
Though they have each ventured down different paths in their careers, each could not be prouder of the other's achievements.
Alumni
Wollongong to Wall Street
"It is important to give back to the University; to help our graduates get good jobs, apply what they’ve learned and give them the opportunity to take it to the next level."
Alumni
Luxury, style, and sheer hard work
"I think it’s really important for you to be constantly looking for and thinking of new ideas, and embracing what’s next."
Alumni
From the waiting room to the boardroom
"You need to have strong drive and the passion and motivation to take a company to new heights to be able to meet the challenges you will face in business."
Alumni
Women, STEM and mentoring
We spoke with Catherine Feldhausen, Director Strategy and Marketing Enablement at Asia Microsoft Services about her global career, the importance of gender diversity in STEM and the power of connections.
Alumni
The ones to follow
The talent, creativity and impact of UOW alumni and academics reach far and wide. These are just a few we like to follow. This is the world from their perspective.