PGSA Supreme Club Award Nominations
The PGSA is entering several categories for the UCSA Supreme Club Awards. Let's show 'em what we've got.
The Supreme Club Award Ceremony is being held on the 2nd October in the Undercroft - make your voice heard and help make the PGSA the best club on campus!
The Supreme Club Award Ceremony is being held on the 2nd October in the Undercroft - make your voice heard and help make the PGSA the best club on campus!
The PGSA prides itself on enhancing the postgraduate experience at UC through social interaction. We achieve this by providing a range of events throughout the year to facilitate member outreach and involvement. Social interaction plays a vital role in building communities. We believe that by attracting members through the highly visible and well marketed larger events (50-100 participants) we provide the first point of contact in a series of networking opportunities.
Our large events include the New Member Welcome, Research Speed Dating, Quiz Night and End of Year Postgraduate Ball. We also run a range of regular smaller events such as movie nights, weekly Friday drinks and trips away. Smaller events grow member involvement and facilitate closer interaction, friendships and collaborations between our members.
We had a wide range of social events for 2011-12 including the following: End of Year Charity Ball, Social Cricket & BBQ, Welcome Event and Drinks for the new PGSA members, Research Speed Dating, Cave Stream walk & Castle Hill picnic, Quiz Night, Weekend Away at Kaikoura, Movie nights, Rakaia Gorge walk and weekly Friday drinks at the Volstead and Shilling Club. More is to come as we are preparing for our biggest ever ‘Midnight-in-Paris’ themed Postgraduate+Alumni Ball on 5th October! We are also being involved with the UCSA in organizing the 2012 Postgraduate Showcase Conference!
In addition, throughout the 2011 and the first half of 2012, PGSA facilitated the catering for Surviving Your Thesis Seminars run by the Postgraduate Office for all UC thesis students. We have thus provided opportunities for postgrads to hang out and discuss the hurdles and victories of their thesis journey after the seminars.
We have a vibrant Facebook group with frequent posts and lively discussions. The posts feature a range of discussions, study tips, member advertisements, research feedback and social posts. Our FB page allows members to share knowledge and experience, provides an advertising space for recruiting research participants help with research projects, alerts to useful thesis-related web resources and quirky and useful software tools for academic writing and referencing. With our facilitation PGSA FB group has become an excellent discussion space proving instrumental in gathering feedback for UC Library Committee, Research Committee and Postgraduate Committee. We also gathered opinions for submission to NZ Education Review regarding postgraduate Student Allowance cuts.
We have a vibrant Facebook group with frequent posts and lively discussions. The posts feature a range of discussions, study tips, member advertisements, research feedback and social posts. Our FB page allows members to share knowledge and experience, provides an advertising space for recruiting research participants help with research projects, alerts to useful thesis-related web resources and quirky and useful software tools for academic writing and referencing. With our facilitation PGSA FB group has become an excellent discussion space proving instrumental in gathering feedback for UC Library Committee, Research Committee and Postgraduate Committee. We also gathered opinions for submission to NZ Education Review regarding postgraduate Student Allowance cuts.
The PGSA has been the first social circle for many international postgraduate students, who may arrive at Canterbury not knowing anyone at all. We introduce PGSA at the monthly PhD Orientation sessions so that the new students learn about us as soon as they arrive at UC. Many international PG students have made friends at the University and in Christchurch through their involvement with the PGSA.
Overall, PGSA is a highly successful niche club that caters for postgraduate students at UC by providing networking opportunities, growing the PG community and making sure that postgrads here have a great time!
Overall, PGSA is a highly successful niche club that caters for postgraduate students at UC by providing networking opportunities, growing the PG community and making sure that postgrads here have a great time!
Best Social Club
PGSA is the only UCSA-affiliated club on campus that is run for postgrads by postgrads. When it comes to serving our members and the wider postgraduate student community, PGSA takes a holistic approach. We provide social+academic+advocacy+support=overall superb service.
We’ve had a comprehensive range of fantastic social events for 2011-2012 featuring: End of Year Charity Ball, Social Cricket & BBQ, Welcome Event and Drinks for the new PGSA members, Research Speed Dating, Quiz Night, Cave Stream walk & Castle Hill picnic, Adventure Day at Adrenaline forest, Weekend Away at Kaikoura, Movie nights, walk to Rakaia Gorge and weekly Friday drinks at the Volstead and now the Shilling Club.
We’ve had a comprehensive range of fantastic social events for 2011-2012 featuring: End of Year Charity Ball, Social Cricket & BBQ, Welcome Event and Drinks for the new PGSA members, Research Speed Dating, Quiz Night, Cave Stream walk & Castle Hill picnic, Adventure Day at Adrenaline forest, Weekend Away at Kaikoura, Movie nights, walk to Rakaia Gorge and weekly Friday drinks at the Volstead and now the Shilling Club.
Social+academic:
Research Speed Dating was a great success, enabling students to meet PostGrads from other disciplines, learn about their research and socialize in a positive environment. The three winners used the prize money towards conference attendance.
Research Speed Dating was a great success, enabling students to meet PostGrads from other disciplines, learn about their research and socialize in a positive environment. The three winners used the prize money towards conference attendance.
Academic:
PGSA provided support for Postgraduate Office during the Surviving Your Thesis seminars in 2011-12 (Semester 1).
In affiliation with the UCSA, involved in organizing the Postgraduate Showcase 2012 - a UC conference for postgrads.
PGSA provided support for Postgraduate Office during the Surviving Your Thesis seminars in 2011-12 (Semester 1).
In affiliation with the UCSA, involved in organizing the Postgraduate Showcase 2012 - a UC conference for postgrads.
Advocacy:
Over the past year the PGSA advocacy team had met with the UC Research, Postgraduate and Library Committees regarding enrollments, scholarships, learning resource cuts and library closure. We provided welcome feedback on behalf of the postgrad students. The PGSA’s feedback has helped streamline the enrolment process and improve the transparency of the scholarship application process.
PGSA facilitated an assembly of UC postgrad reps in 2011/12. Agenda items included College of Arts Cuts, feedback from Research Committee, pay rates for postgrads working as course instructors and many more. We also provided the UCSA Advocacy and Liaison coordinator, Liana Foster, with an updated list of PG reps.
Over the past year the PGSA advocacy team had met with the UC Research, Postgraduate and Library Committees regarding enrollments, scholarships, learning resource cuts and library closure. We provided welcome feedback on behalf of the postgrad students. The PGSA’s feedback has helped streamline the enrolment process and improve the transparency of the scholarship application process.
PGSA facilitated an assembly of UC postgrad reps in 2011/12. Agenda items included College of Arts Cuts, feedback from Research Committee, pay rates for postgrads working as course instructors and many more. We also provided the UCSA Advocacy and Liaison coordinator, Liana Foster, with an updated list of PG reps.
Support and connect:
Connect via website (www.canterburypgsa.org.nz), weekly newsletter and facebook group (link). Our facebook page (411 members) is a highly successful and interactive space. It boasts almost daily postings featuring a range of discussions, study tips, member advertisements, research feedback, social posts, etc. With our facilitation, PGSA FB group has become an excellent discussion space proving instrumental in gathering feedback for UC Library, Research and Postgraduate committees where PGSA reps advocate. We also gathered opinions for submission to NZ Education Review regarding Government’s postgraduate Student Allowance cuts.
Connect via website (www.canterburypgsa.org.nz), weekly newsletter and facebook group (link). Our facebook page (411 members) is a highly successful and interactive space. It boasts almost daily postings featuring a range of discussions, study tips, member advertisements, research feedback, social posts, etc. With our facilitation, PGSA FB group has become an excellent discussion space proving instrumental in gathering feedback for UC Library, Research and Postgraduate committees where PGSA reps advocate. We also gathered opinions for submission to NZ Education Review regarding Government’s postgraduate Student Allowance cuts.
Lifting the postgraduate profile at UC:
Involved in the Working Group for the establishment of the NZ first Student Innovation Center here at UC4!
Former PGSA exec member S-J O’Connor gave you a peek into the postgrad life with The Invisible Man series in CANTA (link).
Involved in the Working Group for the establishment of the NZ first Student Innovation Center here at UC4!
Former PGSA exec member S-J O’Connor gave you a peek into the postgrad life with The Invisible Man series in CANTA (link).
PGSA provides the leadership track for our members who choose to get involved with the exec. Our members embrace responsibility, excel in leadership and reap the benefits of achievement via attending conferences (Aspiring Leaders’ Forum, Wellington 2012) and founding companies. Neha Chandrasekaran and Tejraj Janmale, who left the executive committee to form Alga BioPro™, are a supreme example of leadership potential sharpened by their PGSA experience (link).
PGSA is a valuable asset with its focus on fostering the PG community and dedication to raising the UC profile.
PGSA is a valuable asset with its focus on fostering the PG community and dedication to raising the UC profile.
Best Event - Research Speed Dating
Our Research Speed Dating event (March 2012) brought together Honours, Masters and PhD students in a highly entertaining way. We had slightly just under a 100 students involved in talking about what research they were either doing or planning to do. Each student had 1.5 minutes to talk about themselves to their partner before their partner took over and spent 1.5 minutes talking about their research plans. At the end of the 3 minutes the partners were rotated. This fast rotation meant that by the end of the night the majority of students had met each other. Having two breaks in between the ‘dating’ segments meant that people were able to meet each other in a less forced environment as well.
PGSA (with the generous funding from TAIT Electronics) provided $1000 NZD in prize money for the top 3 voted presenters (Ramesh Kaipa, Mark Letham and Hamish Silverwood). The students were able to put this funding towards academic conference attendance.
This is what the 3rd prize winner, Mark Letham had to say about the event:
"A friend originally invited me along to PGSA Research Speed Dating and I'm glad I said yes, it turned out to be a great evening, with a bonus of getting 3rd prize! By repeating a ~2 minute blurb about my research project and listening to others' from all over uni, I learned to explain my research in a clearer and punchier way and found that I enjoyed learning about everybody's different research interests. It was great how PGSA pulled this off, the Undercroft was a great spot to hold the event, and providing food and drink options really topped it off. Thanks to the PGSA Exec and I look forward to the next one!"
Another attendee was “very pleased with the way research speed dating was organized … This is one of the very few events where you get to meet the other postgraduates across the University and interact with them in a jovial way. I was more than happy to exchange ideas, information and some lighter moments during the research speed dating. I felt that the research speed dating had the right proportion of fun and academics”.
PGSA catered for the event with minor help from the UCSA (the stage and sound system set up). We organized the venue (Undercroft) to look the part with tables and chairs lining the area, secured the best food selection from Nikki Catering, provided a selection of NZ wines and beer (making sure to obtain the liquor license and request assistance of a licensed bar manager!). The overall budget for the event was $3500, including the $1000 prize money.
PGSA (with the generous funding from TAIT Electronics) provided $1000 NZD in prize money for the top 3 voted presenters (Ramesh Kaipa, Mark Letham and Hamish Silverwood). The students were able to put this funding towards academic conference attendance.
This is what the 3rd prize winner, Mark Letham had to say about the event:
"A friend originally invited me along to PGSA Research Speed Dating and I'm glad I said yes, it turned out to be a great evening, with a bonus of getting 3rd prize! By repeating a ~2 minute blurb about my research project and listening to others' from all over uni, I learned to explain my research in a clearer and punchier way and found that I enjoyed learning about everybody's different research interests. It was great how PGSA pulled this off, the Undercroft was a great spot to hold the event, and providing food and drink options really topped it off. Thanks to the PGSA Exec and I look forward to the next one!"
Another attendee was “very pleased with the way research speed dating was organized … This is one of the very few events where you get to meet the other postgraduates across the University and interact with them in a jovial way. I was more than happy to exchange ideas, information and some lighter moments during the research speed dating. I felt that the research speed dating had the right proportion of fun and academics”.
PGSA catered for the event with minor help from the UCSA (the stage and sound system set up). We organized the venue (Undercroft) to look the part with tables and chairs lining the area, secured the best food selection from Nikki Catering, provided a selection of NZ wines and beer (making sure to obtain the liquor license and request assistance of a licensed bar manager!). The overall budget for the event was $3500, including the $1000 prize money.
