In 2009, Professor John Croucher from the Macquarie Graduate School of Management (MGSM) was the driving force behind the development of DWU’s MBA program, for which he received an honorary PhD from DWU for ‘services to mankind’.

“The story of Macquarie and its relationship with DWU is indeed a great one, and an excellent example of community outreach to a developing country and our nearest neighbour,” says Professor Croucher.

During her visit, Professor Nembou said she had dreamed of starting an MBA program at DWU, and is grateful to both Professor Croucher and her Vice-Chancellor and President, Father Jan Czuba, for helping that dream become a reality.

“I was aware that Macquarie offered a high-quality MBA program, and it was recommended that I contact Professor Croucher and, as the saying goes, ‘the rest is history’.

“The aim of the program was two-fold. We wanted to have a world-class MBA program, and also have PNG lecturers from within DWU co-teach units so that they could eventually take over. Although the majority of units are taught by international lecturers, this has proved positive because the feedback from students is that they want world-class lecturers with international perspectives.

“These international academics who so generously give of their time and expertise on a pro bono basis explain the success of our MBA program. The Divine Word University is deeply grateful to them.”

Macquarie PhD candidate and MGSM MBA alumna, Ms Justine Wang, recently returned from teaching (pro bono) in the MBA program in Port Moresby, and has been invited back to teach again in 2016.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to teach in the MBA program at Divine Word University as part of MGSM’s community outreach. I was fortunate to be there at the time of the 40th annual celebrations of PNG’s independence, and the President and Vice-Chancellor of DWU, Father Jan Czuba, made me feel most welcome,” says Justine.

“I very much enjoyed meeting with the students, and hearing about their local issues and concerns, along with developing a deeper understanding of their culture and perspectives on life.”

Mid-session break saw the campus buzzing with elated graduates and their families, happily returning to campus to celebrate their achievements during the September Graduation series.

The series saw nearly 3200 students receive awards, with thousands more guests in attendance. Of the degrees conferred, 167 went to Doctoral candidates and 46 went to our first cohort of Doctor of Physiotherapy graduates. A further 41 exceptional students received a Vice-Chancellor’s Commendation for meritorious work.

Receiving an honorary doctorate this season was the Chairman of the Australian Stock Exchange, Rick Holliday-Smith BA(Hons) FAICD. The honorary doctorate recognises Holliday-Smith’s distinguished career in the banking and financial services industry, which has spanned nearly 40 years.

Following success at previous graduation seasons, all ceremonies were live streamed via YouTube, facilitating the welcome inclusion of family, friends, and supporters who weren’t able to attend the event on site. In addition to this, all ceremonies were live-streamed to China as all.

A popular uptake of the hashtag #mqgrads saw hundreds of graduates post their photos across a number of social media platforms, to have their images shared with the wider University community as well as on the big screen in the courtyard in real time. Here is a selection of posts from Instagram and Twitter:

“It was hoped the campaign would provide our community with a different way to give, by offering potential donors the opportunity to honour a family member, a classmate or even a favourite lecturer,” says Bruce Mortimer, Director of Alumni Relations. “Unlike a traditional donation, a donor can have their name, or the name of a loved one inscribed on a plaque forever immortalising them in Macquarie history.”

Bruce says the majority of the plaques purchased were by alumni, but many staff members have gotten involved too. “Several were purchased in memory of family or friends who passed away, and some as gifts from parents to their graduating son or daughter.”

“My father had an immeasurable impact on my own education and career,” says TV presenter and alumnus Peter Overton. “This is a wonderful way to acknowledge the support you have received, whilst giving a helping hand to the future generation of students.”

The campaign that began as part of the teams’ 2014 Annual Appeal raised $44,000 . The funds raised are being used to support four important initiatives.

“Two of these include travel grants to give students hands-on experience at the Australian Carsulae Archaeological Project in Umbria as part of the new Bachelor of Archaeology degree, and to help students travel internationally to compete as part of the University’s FIRST Robotics team,” says Bruce.

The funds will also support a prize for current HSC students interested in pursuing ancient history studies at Macquarie and funding for visiting scholars as part of the Vice-Chancellor’s Visiting Fellow program.

Remaining seats are selling fast – secure your place in history today.

Learn more about the Ancient History Carsulae Dig.

Congratulations to recent Macquarie graduate Andrew Clark on being awarded the highly prestigious Cambridge Australia Erich Narev Scholarship to study for a Masters in postgraduate law at Cambridge University.

Andrew completed a Bachelor of Arts and Law at Macquarie, and will study for a Masters in Corporate Law at Cambridge’s Jesus College.

The Cambridge Australia Erich Narev Scholarship is available to residents or graduates of a New South Wales university, to study for a Masters degree at Cambridge.

The aim of the scholarship is to foster the candidate’s intellectual, ethical and spiritual life to enable them to become effective leaders in the community.

“It is deeply humbling to have been awarded the Cambridge Australia Erich Narev Scholarship. Not only does this scholarship represent an opportunity to learn from internationally respected academics and practitioners in their field of expertise, it is a unique opportunity to engage with young people from around the globe about our different societies, passions and life experiences,” says Andrew.

Andrew encourages other Macquarie students to apply for similar scholarships, both in Australia, and overseas: “As with all things in your university experience, when applying for further opportunities, you only get out what you put in. I encourage all students to apply for postgraduate study and scholarships to support that study.”

“You can’t succeed if you don’t put yourself out there, and by doing a bit of research you will reveal a number of opportunities that most students don’t even know exist.”

Andrew’s scholarship will support his studies from October until the end of July 2016.

Following the completion of his studies, Andrew intends to return to Australia to private practice.

Dr Virginia Marshall, the first Indigenous woman to receive a PhD from the Macquarie Law School, recently received the Stanner Award for her manuscript entitled ‘A web of Aboriginal water rights: examining the competing Aboriginal claim for water property right and interests in Australia’.

The manuscript was the unanimous winner in a competition open to all aspiring Indigenous authors of academic works. Virginia was honoured at an event held at Parliament House in Canberra and received $5000 in prize money, an inscribed glass eel trap sculpture, and mentoring and editorial support which she can use to develop her manuscript into a publication.

Through her research, Virginia is aiming to foster a deeper understanding of Aboriginal water rights and interests.

“It was a recurring theme that Aboriginal community representatives and expert Aboriginal speakers on water issues were frequently overlooked as presenters at water conferences across Australia, and the game changer is receiving the national Stanner Prize,” Virginia said. “This squarely addresses the national significance of prioritising Aboriginal water rights for major policy reform and acknowledging outstanding scholarly achievement in this field.”

In regards to the team at the Law School, Virginia said “The Higher Degree Research team provided the critical support necessary to understand what’s expected during your doctoral studies, and HDR staff were approachable and keen when you needed assistance, on or off campus.”

The Stanner Award was created in honour of the late Emeritus Professor W E H (Bill) Stanner who significantly contributed to the establishment and development of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS).

The Roman Forum collection encompasses a collection of original engravings and photographs from the beginning of printing to the 20^th century. Lynette recently gifted the collection  to commemorate her 60^th birthday, which coincides with Julius Caesar’s birthday.

“I set out to collect and curate a series of images of the Roman Forum that have strong visual impact and that are instructive individually and together,” Lynette said. “My main interest is in what the images have to tell us and teach us, and in how the medium of printing has played a central role in the spread of information and learning.”

She dedicated the collection specifically to Emeritus Prof Edwin Judge. He and Dr Ian Plant from the Department of Ancient History accepted the gift on behalf of the faculty and University, at a ceremony held at the museum.

“Our museum supports the teaching of undergraduate and postgraduate programs at Macquarie University, and this collection from our generous benefactor Lynette Jensen is an invaluable addition,” Dr Plant said. “I know our students, staff and visitors will thoroughly enjoying examining these images of the Roman Forum and learn a great deal from them.”

To see the collection, visit the Museum of Ancient Cultures Monday-Friday 9.30am-4.30pm.

The Yellow Chest of Drawers, a painting by noted Australian artist Grace Cossington Smith, was recently left as a generous bequest to Macquarie University, and now hangs in the Library foyer for all to see.

The artwork was gifted by Audrey Horn, wife of the late Dr Robert Horn, who worked at the CSIRO based at Macquarie University for many years. They have three sons, Stephen, Mark and Nick, who attended the unveiling of the artwork on campus.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Corporate Engagement & Advancement), Professor David Wilkinson, said the University is enormously grateful for the generous support that alumni and friends are increasingly showing through bequests such as this.

“Significant artworks add value and depth to our existing Australian collection and provide opportunities for our students and teachers to further their research and knowledge. Visitors too from our local community can also enjoy viewing this piece, given its accessible public display here in the foyer of the library.”

Before hanging, the painting was also a part of a annual work experience program offered by Macquarie University Art Gallery to art students from Arden Anglican School.

Under close supervision, Year 10 student Tiana was given the opportunity to assist with the methodical restoration of the frame and backing of the painting, as well as assisting with the cataloguing of the work, and conducting research into the piece.

“Tiana’s teachers were amazed by the depth and level of experience Tiana received with the Art Gallery over that week – we provided her with real practical experience and we of course were pleased to have such a diligent student working with us on this project,” said Senior Curator Rhonda Davis.

“This painting is the first by Grace Cossington Smith to be included in the University collection, and we are overjoyed to receive it.”

The unrestricted donation of $100,000 will go towards supporting SPARC and its research initiatives to help develop new theories and debate around models for soft power and public diplomacy and contribute to the aims of the Centre.

“It is my great pleasure and honour to make this little contribution to my school,” said Chenggang, who graduated with a Master of Arts in 1998.

“We are several times blessed by Chenggang Zhou’s research grant to SPARC,” said Professor Naren Chitty A.M, Associate Dean, International and Inaugural Director, Soft Power Advocacy and Research Centre.

The grant will contribute to new research published in the Routledge Handbook of Soft Power, currently being edited by SPARC in collaboration with Aberystwyth University and American University.

Professor Chitty says the grant is the first example of a major gift being made by an international communication alumnus, and is a signal to students in the humanities, arts and social sciences there can be golden rewards at the end of an Arts degree.

“Chenggang graduated from a now, 23 year old Master degree in International Communication and has gone on to make a spectacular success of his career working for the largest comprehensive educational company in China as an executive president since 2014,” he said.

The donation will also facilitate the development and collaboration of cooperative projects and ventures related to soft power and public diplomacy between Australia, China and India (and communities from within the Chinese and Indian diasporas) that attain knowledge exchange, education outcomes and cultural understanding.

Learn more about SPARC

Building support for Macquarie: New Donations and Fundraising Policy

The new Donations and Fundraising Policy provides staff across the University an understanding of the significant role philanthropy plays in helping to fulfil Macquarie’s strategic objectives. The policy details how donations of money, property and in kind gifts are accepted, managed and used by the University.

Macquarie has ambitious plans to increase support for key University priorities so developing philanthropic funding relationships has become increasingly important.

The Office of Advancement provides advice about priority fundraising projects, cultivating relationships with prospective donors, receipting donations and stewarding donors with activities that appropriately express Macquarie’s gratitude and recognition for their support.

Learn more about the Office of Advancement and meet the newest members of the team.

The April Graduations series saw 3900 students receive awards, with more than 15,000 guests in attendance. The University awarded more than 5300 degrees, diplomas and certificates. Of the degrees conferred, 122 went to Doctoral PhD candidates. A further 93 exceptional students were awarded a Vice-Chancellor’s Commendation Award for meritorious work.

Two significant honorary doctorates were awarded to candidates representing leadership in environment law and property development.

John Whitehouse, accredited as one of Australia’s leading environment and planning lawyers was recognised with a Doctor of Laws honoris causa. Vice Chairman of Henderson Land Development Co. Ltd, Colin Lam, also received an honorary doctorate in Business, in acknowledgment of his business achievements.

The ceremonies were also joined by some exciting speakers ranging from founding member of The Wiggles, Dr Murray Cook AM and taekwondo Olympic gold medalist Lauren Burns OAM.

Following a successful pilot in 2014, all ceremonies were live streamed via YouTube, facilitating the welcome inclusion of family, friends, and supporters who weren’t able to attend the event on site.

A successful uptake of the hashtag #mqgrads meant the hundreds of graduates who posted their photos across a number of social media platforms could have their images shared with the wider University community. Here is a selection of posts from Instagram and Twitter:

“I feel privileged to have the opportunity to make a small contribution to the promotion and understanding of ancient Chinese culture, which is still very influential in China and the rest of the Asian region in the global context of the twenty first century,” said Mr Li.

Mr Li first proposed the donation after he heard about Macquarie’s research and teaching of Chinese Studies from the Honorable Dr Helen Sham Ho.

As an alumna, former University Council member and Macquarie University Foundation Patron, Dr Sham Ho attended an international symposium on campus last December, which explored the historical significance of the discovery of ancient Chinese texts.

“I am delighted to see our conference made such an impact on those who attended,” said Vice-Chancellor, Professor S Bruce Dowton. “We are very pleased to receive this encouragement to continue on with our pioneering work and to further our international collaboration with Chinese scholars.”

“The donation marks a milestone for Chinese Studies at Macquarie and I thank everyone, particularly Mr Li and Dr Sham Ho for their support,” said Dr Shirley Chan, Head of Chinese Studies in the Department of International Studies.

Read more in the newsroom.