AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & EDUCATION
Student Awards - Community Welfare Work
On Friday 2 October, AITE announced the recipients of the following student awards for Term 3 of 2009:
Venkata is an inquisitive student who asks questions and always seeks to extend his knowledge further. Has enthusiasm and diligence is recognised by all of his trainers and inspires his fellow students. He achieved a competent result for all of his assessments in term 3 of 2009 with an extremely high standard demonstrated.
Venkata is fully committed to his studies and shows great respect for his trainers. He can always been found working hard in his classes. He is regularly the first to arrive to class and always stays for the full session.
Venkata consistently puts himself forward when assistance is needed. His involvement in the community has even been acknowledged in his local newspaper.
Himanshu seemed quite disengaged at the beginning of the course. However, throughout term 3 he has shown a significant improvement in attendance and attitude. He is now more attentive and demonstrates a genuine enthusiasm for his studies. He is always a keen participant in class now – answering questions and seeking feedback.
Unfortunately Himanshu was unable to attend the award presentation.
Amrit undertook her second placement at 'Women's Health in the South East' (WHISE). She demonstrated exceptional commitment and professionalism during her field placement and proved to be a valuable asset to her host workplace.
The Chief Executive Officer of WHISE, Ms Tricia Elliott, provided AITE the following reference in relation to Amrit's work in her field placement program:
In her field placement with us, Amrit raised the matter of the dilemmas and problems facing International Students on arrival in Australia – principally around Aust culture, how to get employment / housing, how Australians interact with each other.
So her placement was about setting up focus groups with other international students, to pull together their concerns and comments. Out of that work, she has developed an Orientation Kit (Induction Kit) to Australia for international students (but obviously it can be adapted for most new arrivals). This Kit covers the foundation areas that a new arrival needs to consider: identification (e.g. healthcare; tax file number; driver’s licence; Centrelink; banking); accommodation; education; employment; transport; Australian culture and work culture; emergency services and places that can assist; and finally Australian slang and what it means.
This is an invaluable resource for WHISE and for new arrivals – we will now use this with our client families (those who have come in on humanitarian and refugee visas), to assist them in their transition to Australia.
The Kit can easily be translated into other languages – but we find that most new arrivals are keen to try out their English language ability, including how to read English.
Amrit came up with the idea of this program herself, and has worked on it consistently over the past few months – as well as this, she has facilitated a WHISE program called “Understanding Money” which assists women of CALD background in becoming familiar with the currency and finance systems of Australia, as well as in the basics of budgeting, money traps, contracts etc.
She is very capable, creative, and follows through with minimal pushing from our end.
We are delighted to support her for this award.
Many thanks for allowing us to comment.
Tricia Elliott – Chief Executive Officer
Women's Health in the South East
Diploma of Community Welfare Work
Academic Achievement Award: VENKATA KAPISETTI
Venkata is an inquisitive student who asks questions and always seeks to extend his knowledge further. Has enthusiasm and diligence is recognised by all of his trainers and inspires his fellow students. He achieved a competent result for all of his assessments in term 3 of 2009 with an extremely high standard demonstrated.
Venkata is fully committed to his studies and shows great respect for his trainers. He can always been found working hard in his classes. He is regularly the first to arrive to class and always stays for the full session.
Venkata consistently puts himself forward when assistance is needed. His involvement in the community has even been acknowledged in his local newspaper.
Course Dedication Award: HIMANSHU SHARMA
Himanshu seemed quite disengaged at the beginning of the course. However, throughout term 3 he has shown a significant improvement in attendance and attitude. He is now more attentive and demonstrates a genuine enthusiasm for his studies. He is always a keen participant in class now – answering questions and seeking feedback.
Unfortunately Himanshu was unable to attend the award presentation.
Outstanding Achievement in Field Placement Award: AMRIT PREET KAUR
Amrit undertook her second placement at 'Women's Health in the South East' (WHISE). She demonstrated exceptional commitment and professionalism during her field placement and proved to be a valuable asset to her host workplace.
The Chief Executive Officer of WHISE, Ms Tricia Elliott, provided AITE the following reference in relation to Amrit's work in her field placement program:
In her field placement with us, Amrit raised the matter of the dilemmas and problems facing International Students on arrival in Australia – principally around Aust culture, how to get employment / housing, how Australians interact with each other.
So her placement was about setting up focus groups with other international students, to pull together their concerns and comments. Out of that work, she has developed an Orientation Kit (Induction Kit) to Australia for international students (but obviously it can be adapted for most new arrivals). This Kit covers the foundation areas that a new arrival needs to consider: identification (e.g. healthcare; tax file number; driver’s licence; Centrelink; banking); accommodation; education; employment; transport; Australian culture and work culture; emergency services and places that can assist; and finally Australian slang and what it means.
This is an invaluable resource for WHISE and for new arrivals – we will now use this with our client families (those who have come in on humanitarian and refugee visas), to assist them in their transition to Australia.
The Kit can easily be translated into other languages – but we find that most new arrivals are keen to try out their English language ability, including how to read English.
Amrit came up with the idea of this program herself, and has worked on it consistently over the past few months – as well as this, she has facilitated a WHISE program called “Understanding Money” which assists women of CALD background in becoming familiar with the currency and finance systems of Australia, as well as in the basics of budgeting, money traps, contracts etc.
She is very capable, creative, and follows through with minimal pushing from our end.
We are delighted to support her for this award.
Many thanks for allowing us to comment.
Tricia Elliott – Chief Executive Officer
Women's Health in the South East
2149502592KAustralian Institute of Technology & Education Pty Ltd. ABN: 91 109 264 799