Monash College magazine - Edition 1 Edition 1 | Page 13

M C Developing future leaders At Monash College we are proud to develop the next generation of global leaders. To be a leader you need more than just academic excellence; you need understanding, compassion, critical and innovative thinking, and the ability to communicate with all people regardless of their background. Our students have the opportunity to develop these skills through formal and informal activities, both in and out of the classroom. Mentor program 10 M C Each year, across our three programs, more than 200 students have the opportunity to join our student mentor program. This provides students with the opportunity to learn and practise their leadership skills while helping their new classmates. Engaging with the community Monash College diploma students have the opportunity to engage in a range of volunteering options throughout their time with the College. These include a number of fun-run events and food festival events. Through their volunteer work, students have a great opportunity to further their professional skills while assisting the wider community. “…equip yourself for life, not solely for your own benefit but for the benefit of the whole community.” – Sir John Monash, university namesake. Monash University Leadership programs Student Leadership Summit This year, three Foundation Year students were chosen to participate in the Monash Student Leadership Summit, which brought together 300 current and future Monash leaders. During the summit the students had the opportunity to explore current issues and strategies for leadership, and hear from inspiring keynote speakers. Monash College teachers on leadership... Monash Student Leadership Summit participant Padmini Anbalagan shares her thoughts on the event: “Overall, I think that it was truly a wonderful experience to have the chance to listen to really inspirational speakers, especially Christine Nixon. I felt really motivated and inspired after listening to her speech, and I’ll never forget my favourite quote from her: ‘If all else fails, I’ll go drive a bus. I can’t. But I could always learn.’ I feel like I’ve learnt a lot by attending the summit… because I got the opportunity to learn things that would not usually be taught in a classroom.” “ “To me, leadership is about inspiring other people to be the best that they can be and then providing them with the resources and the help to make that a reality.” – Vanessa Fortyn, director of studies at Monash University English Language Centre Monash College student awarded 2014 Victorian International Education Student of the Year: The Vice-Chancellor’s Ancora Imparo Program This year, two diploma students, Nurmina Adalat Khan and Mariam Bajahray, have been selected to participate in the Ancora Imparo leadership program. The prestigious program is only available to second-year Monash students who are interested in developing their leadership skills and would like to make a positive impact on the world. Throughout the program students participate in a seminar series and a three-day residential program, as well as being invited to participate in leadership summits, staff forums and volunteering opportunities. Diploma students are encouraged to apply during their Part 2 studies for the following year.  Find out more about the program: monash.edu.au/students/ leadership/ancora-imparo “The best piece of advice I have been given is to lead with confidence and integrity, and listen to those you are leading.” – Last year, English language student Rafael Dextro, from Brazil (pictured), was named Victorian International Education Student of the Year. “I am very proud to have been named the winner, and am honoured to have been chosen to be part of the Sciences sans Frontière program. I love studying in Melbourne. I have made great friends from all over the world and have opened up many opportunities for my future career.” To be eligible for the award, students must have studied an English language course and demonstrated outstanding academic achievement by contributing to the internationalisation of their institution and the Victorian community. “I think great teachers are great leaders. They have a vision and they can sweep you along with it and get you excited, too. I recently studied with leading educator Adrian Underhill at Cambridge University. His calm demeanour, experience and depth and breadth of knowledge was certainly inspiring.” – Sara Evans ELICOS teacher and coordinator of Monash University English Language Centre Adam Connor, leading teacher, Monash English ” 11