Welcome to Trimester 1

Dear Colleagues

As we get ready for our students to arrive, I wish to seek your particular support for those coming from across Australia and overseas to study in your courses and across the Faculty. 

It can be especially challenging if English is not your first language, and for everyone who is moving away from home.  Minister Birmingham’s recent message is at  https://blogs.deakin.edu.au/deakinlife/2018/02/15/its-lunar-new-year-happy-year-of-the-dog/ .  It is a special welcome to international students last week and it is a timely reminder for all of us that our values and principles at Deakin are led by principles of inclusion and welcome.  I am sure many of you are aware of the many Lunar New Year activities across campus and our towns, and I hope you can enjoy these as they also remind us of the many cultures it takes to make Deakin.

Thank you to all those who were able to attend our 5 Graduations this month – wishing our graduates well and sharing their successes with family and friends is a critical as welcoming new students, and important work for all academics and professional colleagues alike.

I wish all staff too, a sincere welcome and hope to see many of you tomorrow at the NGV forum to set some high aspirations for 2018.

With sincere best wishes and safety as we navigate the many challenges and great opportunities ahead.

Brenda