Monash University Postgraduate Association

Category: Archived

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MUPA Giveaways: Celebrating 17 Years of MUPA at Monash University Malaysia!

Written by Emily Yap Sin Yee. Edited by Sharifah Rose Ee.

This year marks a significant milestone for Monash University Postgraduate Association (MUPA) as we celebrate our 17th year at Monash University Malaysia. Some of you might have noticed the special significance of the number ‘7’ in our celebrations this year.

    • 7 MUPA Events & Initiatives
      From workshops to social events, to date, we have organized 7 key activities to engage and support our postgraduate community.

    • 7 Types of Monash MUPA Merchandise
      We introduced a diverse range of 7 merchandise, each crafted to represent the spirit and unity of our community.

    • 7 Consolation Prizes of the MUPA Website Banner Competition
      We believe in recognizing effort, and 7 participants received consolation prizes for their commendable entries.

    • 7 Lucky Voters
      Congratulations to the 7 of the 61 voters who cast their votes on the creative designs which now grace our website!

    • 17 Winners in Total
      Including the 3 winners of the banner competition, we celebrated a total of 17 winners, perfectly aligning with our 17th anniversary.

Adding to the magic, we reached 777 followers on Instagram on 7/7/2024!

Expressing our gratitude to your continued support, we initiated this special giveaway. Unlike typical freebies, we wanted to foster a supportive atmosphere where the MUPA family could uplift each other. To qualify for this giveaway, participants had to be followers of our Instagram account, like our post and leave a positive comment or words of encouragement to the MUPA family.

As of 17/7/2024, the giveaway post garnered 36 likes and 26 comments from 25 individuals (one person commented twice). It’s heartwarming to see such engagement and the spread of positivity within our community.

We hope that initiatives like these, along with events such as the MUPA banner competition, allow those abroad to participate and still feel a part of the MUPA community. Your support and involvement make our community stronger, and we look forward to creating more memorable moments together.

 

Thank you for being part of the
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The MUM Inaugural Graduate Research Week

Written by Nur Muzzammil Bt Aziz.

The Graduate Research Week Committee is thrilled to recap of our first-ever four-day event, held from July 1st to 4th. The week kicked off with a captivating keynote address on “Catalysing Change? Research Impact at Monash Malaysia” followed by a plenary discussion with our alumni on “Beyond the Thesis: Navigating the Intersection of Research and Impact.” We were honoured to welcome our alumni for the discussion with their valuable insights and experiences, contributing to the success of our inaugural event :

–Dr. Daniel Mahadzir (Director of Research and Development at Adeante Corporation and Research Fellow at the National University of Singapore)

–Dr. Faizal Hamid (Founder and CEO of Plantgenics Sdn Bhd and Head of Department at Bioeconomy Corporation)

The event showcased the outstanding research progress of students across seven schools, with a focus on topics of research commercialization, Intellectual Property, and research impact.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all those who contributed to making this event a reality. This includes the schools, Graduate Research Directors, workshop instructors, Research Platforms, Monash University Postgraduate Association (MUPA), The Library and Learning Commons, Invest Selangor Berhad and Graduate Student Directors who played a vital role in finding facilitators for the Graduate Research Week workshops.

A special thank you goes to:

-Workshop facilitators and instructors from schools and Research Infrastructure, including those involved in the pre-workshop sessions.

–ECN members who served as judges for oral and poster presentations and reviewed abstracts.

Your invaluable support made the inaugural Graduate Research Week a resounding success. We are now passing the baton to MUMGRO to continue the effort of optimizing student potential.

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MUPA PG Sharing Session #2: Night and Social Fun

Written by MUPA 2024 Vice-President. Edited by Jeannette Goon.

The MUPA PG Sharing Session 2, held on June 19, 2024 was a cheerful event that successfully brought together current and new postgraduate students, fostering a sense of camaraderie and meaningful interaction.

A highlight of the session was the innovative Emoji Introduction. Participants introduced themselves using a string of emojis representing their interests, hobbies, or personality traits, prompting others to interpret the emojis and learn about each person in a fun and engaging way. This dynamic activity effectively broke down barriers and facilitated connections among attendees.

Another key feature of the event was the MUPA quiz, which spurred active participation and set a vibrant tone for the session. As the discussions progressed, both participants and MUPA members found themselves engaged in lively and enriching exchanges, significantly enhancing the overall experience. The event also included a variety of board games, adding to the enjoyment and interaction.

The feedback session was particularly valuable, providing insights into the students’ preferences and desires for future activities. There was a clear call for MUPA to prioritise initiatives such as retreats, movie nights, and physical activities. These suggestions reflect the diverse needs of postgraduate students and their desire for both entertainment and mental growth opportunities.

A new MUPA member, Batrisyia Azalan, had a good time at the event and said, “It was nice to meet other people from other schools. Will definitely attend another one in the future.” 

The event concluded on a high note with a shared meal, further fostering a sense of community and belonging among all attendees.

Thanks to Iman Juvale and Memory Mtambo from the School of Medicine, and Batrisyia Azalan from the School of Arts & Social Sciences for their support in taking photos during this event.

Video edited by Sharifah Rose Ee.
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🛒Pre-Order Monash / MUPA Merchandise Now 🛍️

Dear MUPA Fam, 

In need of some retail therapy? 😉Wait no more. We are thrilled to announce new MUPA merchandise from the wish list you gave us earlier this year.

🛒Browse through our Merchandise site for more details. Ready to order, fill in this form. Some of these merch are limited edition and we will stop taking orders when we run out of stock. So don’t wait till Christmas, pre-order yours now 🛍️.

Note: If you’re a newly enrolled postgraduate attending our upcoming July Orientation or if you have yet to collect your goodie bag during the February Orientation, please note that you will receive the MUPA lanyard for free during the July Orientation.

Contact mupa.publicity@monash.edu for any enquiries. Happy shopping! 

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Congratulations! – MUPA Website Banner Design Competition

From all your votes, we would like to announce the result of the MUPA Website Banner Design Competition…

Winner: Design 2 by Ervin Tiu Shan Khai (School of Engineering)

1st Runner-up: Design 5 by Aurelie Mok (School of Science)

2nd Runner-up: Design 1 by Tan Wen Jian (School of Engineering)

Consolation Prizes:

  • Mary Ling (School of Science)
  • Liew Yee (School of Medicine)
  • Heerman Kumar (School of Science)
  • Tazeek Bin Abdur Rakib (School of IT)
  • Zulkarnain Kashem (School of Business)
  • Wan Aina Wan Yahaya (School of Business)
  • Dakshina Fernando (School of Engineering)

7 Lucky Voters:

  • Aurelie (School of Science)
  • Rupany (School of Science)
  • Nicola Lai (School of Medicine)
  • Claudeen Lau (School of Science)
  • Hamza Zubair (School of Engineering)
  • Aathira Sujathan Nair (School of Pharmacy)
  • Anindya Widita (School of Arts & Social Sciences)

Our heartiest congratulations to all the winners of the MUPA Website Banner Design Competition! 🥳 All winners will be contacted via email before the end of the month regarding their voucher details.

Thank you to all creative designers and voters for your participation and contribution to this event. Stay tuned to the MUPA Website as we feature these awesome designs! 

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Diving Deep: Exploring Molecular Docking and Homology Modelling in Computational Drug Design

Written by Amrita Muralikrishnan. Edited by Sharifah Rose Ee.

15 postgraduates from various schools attended the “Diving Deep: Exploring Molecular Docking and Homology Modelling in Computational Drug Design” virtual seminar on 6 June 2024. Organised by MUPA School of Pharmacy representative, this highly informative virtual seminar was conducted by Dr Prabitha P, a lecturer from JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru (India). Dr Prabitha has an impressive background with numerous publications and contributions to the field of pharmaceutical chemistry with more than 11 years of teaching experience. 

This virtual seminar provided participants with an enriching platform to explore and understand two critical techniques in the fields of bioinformatics and molecular biology. Geared towards improving their bioinformatics-based skill-set, participants were also guided step-by-step on the use of AutoDock – a widely used free software, essential to most researchers. 

Participants were highly engaged throughout the virtual seminar and took advantage of the opportunity to interact with the speaker during the Q&A session. Dr. Prabitha provided thorough and insightful answers, enriching the learning experience for all attendees.

The event successfully highlighted the critical role of computational techniques in modern biological research and drug discovery. Participants are encouraged to stay connected and continue the conversation on the cutting-edge topics of molecular docking and homology modelling.

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[Registration] PG Sharing Session #2: Night and Social Fun – 19 June, 6pm

We are thrilled to invite you to the second MUPA PG Sharing Session of 2024, followed by an exciting Board Game Night at Monash University. This event is aimed at fostering connections, exchanging experiences, and creating a vibrant community within our postgraduate cohort. 


PG Sharing Session #2: Night and Social Fun is a casual and fun gathering with games and social activities. It is also a fantastic opportunity for newer students to connect with current members of the Monash University Postgraduate Association (MUPA), share insights, and offer feedback.

Date: June 19th, 2024

Time: 6pm to 10pm

Venue: to be confirmed

Limited to the first 40 registrants on a first-come, first-served basis. Register now via this link: https://tinyurl.com/PGsharingSession2

Programme

Registration: 06:00 p.m.

Sharing and Discussion Session: 06:05 p.m.

Board Games and Mingle: 07:30 p.m.

Refreshment Bar Open: 07:30 p.m.

Close of Event: 10:00 p.m.

To ensure we can accommodate everyone comfortably, we kindly request you to RSVP at your earliest convenience. Please note that registration is limited, so secure your spot early to avoid disappointment.  

Your participation and engagement are crucial in shaping a positive and inclusive environment within MUPA and Monash University. We look forward to welcoming you and creating memorable experiences together.


Should you have any questions or require further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us at mupa.vicepres@monash.edu

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MUPA Cultural Night 2024

Written by Zulkarnain Kashem. Edited by Sharifah Rose Ee.

MUPA Cultural Night aims to foster a sense of unity and inclusiveness for our international postgraduates from diverse backgrounds. The event, which was held on 10 May 2024, was filled with fun and excitement. Dressed in traditional attires representing their home countries, participants were welcomed with tote bags, specially designed by the International Student Representatives. The evening featured amazing performances by Sadia Azmin Anisha and Sagnik Nag from the School of Medicine, Amrita Muralikrishnan from the School of Pharmacy, and Daud Khan from the School of Engineering. Everyone had a blast playing the “Pass the Pillow” game, and enjoyed a delicious spread of Western buffet dinner. To top it all off, we wrapped up the night with a lively trivia quiz that had everyone laughing and competing in good spirits. Afnan Ahmed from the School of Engineering and Sashini de Silva from the School of Medicine were awarded as best dressed male and female respectively. These sharing and experiencing of various cultural traditions through food, music, dance, and other performances and games, promotes mutual understanding and respect for diversity. We look forward to the next fun and colourful celebration of cultural exchange. 

Thanks to Afnan Ahmad and Hamed Shahmohamadi from the School of Engineering, Ali Alrabeei from the School of IT and Golsa Karambakhsh from the School of Science for their support in taking photos and videos during this event. Video curated by Sharifah Rose Ee.

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Five Cheers for SASS-y Contestants

The fearless five: Paola Reale, Gwendolyn Bellinger, Kaflina Kamalul, Theresa Symons and Charulatha Pitigala

Written by: Sharon A. Bong (SASS Graduate Research Director)

Presenting what must feel like one’s lifework in three minutes is daunting by any measure. Yet, for our fearless five, it was “rewarding”, “a confidence booster” and “a wonderful opportunity”. Survivors of this “significant challenge”, tell their stories: “This competition was rewarding as it forced me to rethink my research as a story, one that can engage and be shared with anyone. It’s helped remind me why my work is important and what it is I am really working for!” says Gwendolyn Bellinger, winner of the SASS-level 3MT competition that was held on 19 April 2024.

For Theresa Symons who was runner-up and winner of the People’s Choice award, participating in the 3MT “validated [her] decision to embark on this PhD journey” as one who had left a regional leadership position to take up the PhD full-time.

The event fostered community-building as Charulatha Pitigala adds that, “It was also a refreshing change to see my peers’ presentations and how each of them individually approached it in their own unique and engaging way”. For Paola Reale, the collegiality was paramount as “SASS people make us always feel at home”. In that regard, we thank the judges – Drs Tan Meng Yoe, Azliyana Azhari and Raksha Pandya-Wood. And Kaflina Kamalul opines that the overall experience not only in performing but also prepping for that performance, taught her “that my thesis represents only a small fraction of the broader worldview”.