University of Tasmania – The Student Experience

Australia’s best regional university

CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B

Destination Tasmania

Hobart city

• Smallest of the six Australian States – ‘Australia’s New Zealand’.

• Capital city Hobart second colony founded by British after Sydney.

• Population ~500,000.

• Latitude 40-43 º South (equivalent to southern Italy or northern Turkey)

• Area ~68,000 km (larger than Sri Lanka ~62,000Km²)

• 40% National Parks and World Heritage wilderness areas

• Diverse, mixed economy – mining and mineral processing, manufacturing (marine focussed), high value agriculture and food processing, forestry and timber processing, Aquaculture.

• Tourism – 10 out of 29 National awards in 2015, 4th in Lonely Planet top 10 destinations for 2015, 4th Travel + Leisure Top 10 Islands 2015.

• Traditionally not on radar of overseas students

• University of Tasmania only university in the State

Tasmania at a Glance

Destination Tasmania

• ‘Student experience, retention and success’ managed by Students and Education Division

• Operational areas such (i.e. admissions and accommodation services) run out of Chief Operating Officer Division.

• Key elements of UTAS student experience covered in this presentation:

1. Int. Student Advisors and support services

2. Campus Accommodation

3. Career & Employment Support

4. Academic support

5. Clubs and Societies

6. Student Spaces

The UTAS Experience

• Dedicated four person Int. student support team - Matt Hingston (team leader), Ginni Woof, Alison Nowak, David Durdin

• Team provides

a. Pre-arrival informationb. Orientation sessions/experiencesc. Individual student welfare and well-being assistanced. Community links (information, education and social inclusion

activities through Community Friends and Network Program)e. Linkages with Faculties and Institutesf. Activities to promote and facilitate social and cultural

engagementg. Incident response

Link: http://www.utas.edu.au/students/international-student-advisers

http://www.utas.edu.au/cfnp (Community Friends & Network program)

Student Support

• Don’t forget free airport pick up on arrival. Book online:

• http://www.utas.edu.au/international-support/forms/airport-pickup-request

• Try to ensure students arrive during Orientation Week to take advantage of the support on offer and make the settling process easier.

Student Support

• UTAS manages approximately 600 beds across main campuses - Sandy Bay (Hobart), Newnham (Launceston) and Inveresk (Launceston)

• Mostly single rooms – shared apartments, studio apartments, ‘colleges’ (single rooms, shared facilities) and off campus.

• Prices (2015) Hobart ‘Colleges’ $206/weekLaunceston ‘Colleges’ $171/weekApartments $213/week

• Utilities included, Internet ($30/mth for 10GB, $90/mth for 50GB) and meals excluded. Access to shared cooking facilities and tutorial support.

• Restaurants provide 2-3 well priced meals/day (AUD$7-15) with Halal and vegetarian options.

• U-18s in hostel ($270/week) or homestay ($235/week) accommodation

Link: http://www.utas.edu.au/international-support/living-in-tasmania

Campus Accommodation

UTAS investing $120m in new, self contained accommodation for 770 students. Available to Int. students who meet financial eligibility requirements.

NewAccommodationOpen 2017

• 5 dedicated careers staff servicing all students.

• Focus of careers team is planning and achieving post study career goals, rather than securing casual jobs.

• Study is demanding and casual work takes time to secure. Make sure students arrive with sufficient $$$ and encourage them to work during the summer break when seasonal employment opportunities are greater and they have no study commitments.

• Casual work: CareerHub (on UTAS website)noticeboard, University Union Buildingonline/newspapers/social mediword of mouthapproach employers

• University is working with the tourism and horticulture industries to open up more casual/PT opportunities for OS students.

Link: http://www.utas.edu.au/students/careers

Careers & Employment Advice/Support

Central Student Learning team offer a range of programs to develop academic skills, literacy and English language skills as well as programs that support you to acquire the specific thinking and studying skills for your disciplines.’

12 person team headed by Jane Skalicky (pictured). Some programs delivered by student mentors.

• Student Learning Drop in• Peer Assisted Study sessions (PASS)• One on one workshops and consultations• Online resources, workshops & consultations

Link: http://www.utas.edu.au/student-learning

Academic Support

• Scores of Societies based on religion, nationality (Hindustani), hobbies and academic, social or political interests. i.e. Pokemon, bushwalking, Labor and Liberal Parties, Pharmacy, Women in STEM subjects………

• Sports clubs – scuba diving, frisbee, soccer, Judo, netball ……. and of course cricket (ground pictured below)

Sports Clubs and Societies

Campus Environment

We are all Products of our Environment

https://youtu.be/86dCmeEpxC0

https://youtu.be/y9nTaUlpM_Q

Video

Thank YouQuestions?