Inaugural leadership program for Engineering undergraduates

14 March 2007

Ms Vanessa Kong was one of the participants in the recent induction for the inaugural 2007 Engineering Leadership Program for Undergraduates

Thongs flying, Nikes swooshing, mobiles ringing, frantic dialling, colourful bandanas in orange, hot pink, blue, some tied to arms, others to ponytails or belt loops, all against a backdrop of deep blue sea.

These scenes were part of an induction for the inaugural 2007 Engineering Leadership Program for Undergraduates held at the Melbourne Business School, Mt Eliza on 20 February.

Sixty-five fresh-faced, excited and eager First Year (with a handful of Second Year) Engineering students embarked on the program, supported by the Engineering Foundation and Engineering Faculty.

The Program is offered to the incoming top 2007 ENTER (98.6 - 99.8) scoring Engineering students who are also recipients of awards or scholarships. The Program will be conducted over three years, and is designed to address an industry-perceived lack of leadership attributes in young graduates.

Topics covered include: What is Leadership? Critical Thinking and Problem-solving, Communication Skills, Sustainability, Ethics, People Skills, Change Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and Globalisation.

Associate Professor Paul Webley, Associate Dean, Research, spoke to students about the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP).

"For students with a predilection for research, there will an opportunity to enter UROP from Second Year onwards," he said.

Associate Professor Gary Codner, Associate Dean, Teaching, said there would be extensive engagement with industry and alumni throughout the program.

"Students will have many opportunities to hear from industry leaders and experts on different topics. There will be practical activities built on these topics, team-building and personal development throughout," he said.

"It is a non-award program and participation is not mandatory. Students who successfully finish will receive a Certificate of Completion. It is intended to challenge and extend students, and to provide them with a unique opportunity to learn life experiences and about leadership outside the formal classroom, to network and to have a memorable time while at Monash Engineering."

For further details email Gary.Codner@eng.monash.edu.au