Core Curriculum in New York

A message from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students, Learning and Teaching), Professor Anne Cummins.

Dear colleagues,

I have just returned from New York where I have been teaching the Core Curriculum to our students, alongside Associate Professor Jane Butler. The students undertook a two week intensive unit, UNCC300: Justice & Change in a Global World. This unit is one of three units which are part of the University Core Curriculum and it was delivered in New York in partnership with St John’s University. The students developed their understanding of the dignity of the human person within the context of the global community by participating in community engagement activities such as visiting an aged care home, tending the St John’s community garden and working in a local soup kitchen. They also visited some historical places, including the Empire State Building and the United Nations.

UNCC300 students in New York.

The ACU Career Development Service (part of the Office of Student Success) and ACU International will be hosting the Study NSW-funded Interchange program on our North Sydney Campus over three consecutive saturdays in August. International students from Macquarie University, University of Newcastle, University of Sydney, Western Sydney University, University of Technology Sydney, University of New South Wales and University of Notre Dame will join our students for a program that leads them through a learning journey designed to help them find their inner entrepreneur. Over 250 international students - including 61 participants, volunteers and peer mentors from ACU - are registered for Interchange 2018. Students will attend TEDx-style speaking events with expert guest speakers and develop professional networking, communication, innovation and leadership skills. Students will work closely in interdisciplinary teams with accomplished business mentors to design solutions to real life problems impacting international students.

The inaugural UniSport Nationals Div 2 recently took place on the Gold Coast, with ACU competing against other Australian universities in a variety of sports ranging from basketball to volleyball and soccer. ACU finished a successful week with two silver medals, two fourth placings and one fifth place. A total of 110 students competed in nine different teams, with four teams making medal matches. Our student athletes demonstrated excellent behaviour and camaraderie whilst competing in our newly-branded uniforms.

With Semester 2 just around the corner, our program of co-curricular events for the coming months is planned and I ask for your continued assistance in encouraging our students to participate in these activities and opportunities. Each year the Student Enrichment team in the Office of Student Success offers ACU students across all campuses the opportunity to be involved in a national creative and performing arts competition in the categories of dance/drama, visual art, poetry/spoken word, short film, music and photography. The campus showcases will be held in mid-August with a national final in North Sydney in September.

With every good wish for a successful start to Semester 2.

Professor Anne Cummins
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students, Learning & Teaching)