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Professional Development Pre-Conference Workshops

A series of professional development workshops will be offered on Tuesday 29th November. All professional development workshops are an additional cost and are not included in the conference registration fee.

Information on the 2011 PD Workshops will be added as planning proceeds. Please book during the registration process or email anna@cdesign.com.au

MORNING WORKSHOPS

Responding to mental health issues for international students

 

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This is a practical skills workshop for staff in frontline roles as advisors, administrators, tutors and support staff who are exposed to students who are experiencing significant mental health issues, and may in fact be the first staff to encounter the student who is having difficulties in relation to the welfare and needs of international students. This is a 4 hour program.
Participants will gain an understanding of mental health definitions and terminology. Learn the contextual issues which have the potential to magnify mental health problems for International students. Develop risk assessment strategies with a particular focus on ensuring high risk clients are referred to mental health professional staff. Develop an effective case management model appropriate to addressing the needs of students with on-going mental health issues. Address the needs of students who must be repatriated to their country of origin
The content will cover a brief overview of the Western mental health model. This will be followed by an overview of international students’ expectation of mental health systems and the factors which exacerbate mental health issues for international students. It will address common unhelpful responses and develop principles for good practice including: early identification & intervention; appropriate psycho-education; case management approaches and crisis management. This workshop will be a mixture of psycho-educational, case study, along with small group and whole group interactive tasks.

 

Fundamentals of international student advising

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Paula is the PIER Academic Manager at International Education Services Ltd., and leads the development and delivery of the first accredited vocational courses in international education in Australia, the Education Agent Training Course (EATC) the Diploma of International Education Services and the International Student Leadership Program (ISLP).
Paula has been working in international education since 1992, and has a background in teaching, research, curriculum development, international student advising and program management, educational administration, and staff training. She has delivered workshops and papers at a number of international education conferences in Australia and overseas. She is currently undertaking Doctoral studies at the University of Queensland.
Paula is a life member of ISANA: International Education Association, and was its National President from 2003-2006.

Peter began working in the ELICOS industry in Sydney in the late 1980’s and then in Indonesia in the early 1990’s. He completed an MA in Communication and Cultural Studies and moved into International Student Advising, and has worked as an International Student Advisor at the University of Western Sydney since 1997.
Peter is the Vice-president, Planning and Development of ISANA: International Education Association. He is currently on secondment to the Policy and Governance Unit of the University of Western Sydney working on policy management and development.

 

AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS

Managing effective workplace relationships in an international office context


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Sharon Smith has been involved in international education since 2001. She was employed for 9 years as the administrative officer and international education research officer for the National Union of Students focusing on policy and welfare research and programs for international students in Australia. In addition to her role at the NUS, Sharon  worked as a research assistant at Monash University working on an ARC funded project investigating the safety and security of international students in Australia.

Sharon is currently employed with the City of Melbourne as the International Education Project Co-ordinator and works on projects that help improve the experiences of international students in Australia, such as the City of Melbourne Student Welcome Desk.

Since 2008 Sharon has tutored two subjects with Pieronline, Managing Effective Workplace Relationships and Communication in Culturally Diverse Workplaces.
Sharon’s education history includes a Bachelor Degree majoring in Asian Studies and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics.

 

Managing critical incidents

 

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Sylvia has had a long interest in International Students, different cultures and International Education beginning with Rotary Exchange students from many different countries staying in her family home.   This interest, particularly in International Education (support),  was further ignited when her husband himself became an International Student studying overseas.     On returning to New Zealand she worked for International Business organisations before venturing into the International Education field working for International Pacific College (Japanese owned) from its inception for 10 years, both in the academic and support areas, and currently at Massey University based in Palmerston North managing the International Student Support team.