2012: THE FIRST GRADUATING CLASS OF THE NEW PROGRAM Professor Rob Moodie took over the helm as Director of Teaching and Learning from the beginning of 2012 and highlights that the quality of teaching is a reflection of the importance and respect the School gives to its students. “When I took on the role, I was really impressed by the wonderful commitment and skills of my fellow teachers. I learned a lot and remember Melissa Russell’s keen focus on highly
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practical job ready skills. So many of the MPH students have now become subject coordinators and leaders as well as teaching associates. A truly collaborative approach to teaching and learning, shows how much students (especially through the Student’s society) can contribute to the teaching, and to the overall student experience, and at the same time how much we as teachers can learn from the students. Public health is a team game, so the ability of students to work through the challenges of working in groups and teams is incredibly important. Many have done this so well that their MPH has created long term, enduring friendships. My most lasting impression is the joy of teaching highly motivated, enthusiastic and talented students”. Qualitative Research was a relative newcomer to the MPH globally; the program previously had a strong focus on quantitative research only. This new program was quickly embedded into the
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Curriculum and soon achieved some of the highest student experience scores laying the future direction for this as a capability of the School. To accommodate the different experiences of students and to ensure work readiness for career beginners, a review of the MPH program led to the development of the first Professional Placement Unit (PPU). The program in 2012 started with 9 students who were able to enjoy working with organisations such as VicHealth and the Victorian Department of Health. The placements were achieved by leveraging existing relationships. The PPUs then, as today, are most commonly for 6 months to ensure a robust Work Integrated Learning (WIL) experience.
STUDENTS REPRESENTING 23 COUNTRIES
These foundations have led to a significant take-up of the PPUs over the years, with Sue Durham now at the helm and students having had learning experiences in the UK, Denmark, Malawi, Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal, Myanmar, Bosnia, Vietnam, India, Indonesia and Australia. It is thanks to Louise Bourchier, Muhammad Waliur Rahman and Syed Ariz that the “MPH Students’ Club” which would subsequently become the “Melbourne Population and Global Health Students’ Society” (MPGHSS) was formed to help bring together all those undertaking the program. It all started with a couple of low-key social events, just some BYO snacks and drinks, in a room in the GSA building. Over the next few months connections developed, momentum built, and in May 2012 the club was officially formed with Chris Bates as the inaugural president. The MPGHSS is now a vibrant and active non-profit organisation. The formation of the group has led the ongoing development of the student community over the decade with a strong focus on building professional connections, supporting students, and hosting many social events! Our sincere thanks to all those who have led and contributed to the student committees over these past 10 years, for building community and creating the positive culture we have across MSPGH today, and a special thanks to Lucy Westerman for her contribution to the club’s online presence. Here’s to many more years of successful MPGHSS activities and to continuing to build strong networks of alumni across the world!
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MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH
