Student Elections 2014: University Academic Board
Higher Degree Research – Candidate Statements and photos
These will appear in the electronic voting system in a random order determined by the
Returning Officer
MEHRAN BOLOURIAN KASHI
The main objective of universities is educating students and fostering
science. We as researchers undertake the “fostering science” part and
since the decision making regarding this takes place in the Academic
Board, I would like to represent and be the voice of researchers in this
committee.
Our body plays an integral role in UNSW academic position and ranking.
So we have to be heard and our opinions should be taken into account.
Being a research student, I am in direct contact with researchers. So I
know the difficulties and the expectations of my peers. If there is
anything that I don’t know, I will be all ears. Let me be the voice in the
academic board. Let’s make the most out of the min 7 hours we spend
every weekday on research and let’s make it a win-win for us and the
University.
STEPHEN BOURNE
Stephen's primary research interests are in the area of statutory child
protection. Stephen holds master's degrees in business and law, and has
worked as a litigation lawyer and the principal of a legal practice. He is
also keenly interested in forensic mental health, and was a courtappointed representative for individuals with mental disorders.
Stephen has considerable management experience in the public and
commercial sectors, and is actively engaged in initiatives to promote
public sector research, and to enhance business efficiency through the
use of modern technologies and behavioural insights. Stephen believes
passionately in the importance of higher degree research, and will take
every opportunity to advance the interests of higher degree researchers.
No photo
DARIUS DANESH
I am a Registered Master Project Director and a Chartered Professional
Engineer with more than fifteen years of experience in a variety of
engineering and management roles both internationally and within
Australia.
Having served on a number of professional committees including the
Engineering Faculty Board and the Standing Committee of the UNSW,
I'm aware of the importance of the work this board undertakes.
Currently, I am the Vice Chairman of the Engineering Committee within
the Engineers Australia, through which I continue to provide formal
mentoring and coaching to other professionals.
Should I be elected to the UNSW Academic Board, I will continue to
advocate for high quality standards in research and promote the
interests of students and their concerns not only to the Academic Board,
but more broadly within UNSW.
ZIGGY HARRISON-TIKISCI
It is important to have strong student input on academic policy, teaching
and research. I am standing for election to the Academic Board to give
this input and help shape our university's future directions. I
passionately support fair and effective education focused on providing
the best outcomes for local and international UNSW students.
I sit as the HDR Physiology representative on the Medical Sciences
Research Support Committee to lend a student voice to research
directions within the school. I am an executive committee member of
the inaugural EMBL Australia PhD Symposium, established to provide a
platform for undergraduate and HDR students to present their work to
the research community. I am also the Student President of UNSW
Soccer as I strongly believe in student participation in university life.
I enjoy being involved in our university's development and wish to
continue this as an HDR student representative on the Academic Board.
MEGAN LAWRENCE
For the duration of my undergraduate degree (ground breaking in itself,
as it was the first Bachelor degree offered my TAFE NSW), I sat as the
nominated student representative within the TAFE Higher Education
Teaching and Learning Committee.
It was a wonderful opportunity to mediate between my peers and the
upper echelons of the higher education system within TAFE- who in turn
are the decision makers on behalf of the student body.
I would savour undertaking a very similar role, as a joint student
representative on the Academic Board, during my postgraduate research
studies here at UNSW.
I feel my experience and dedication within my previous role would assist
me in benefitting you, my fellow students.
LEE MARTIN
Having spent six years at UNSW, I feel a deep connection with this
university, and a strong desire to take a more active role in building a
greater institution and community by nominating to be a HDR
representative on the Academic Board. I believe my diverse academic
and work experience would provide strong advantages in helping shape
and advance the Board’s goals for UNSW. First, my cross-faculty
experience studying, teaching and researching at UNSW and other
institutions enables me to bring a broad academic perspective and
insights. Second, my extensive work experience, involving coordinating
multiple agencies and advising on policies with a range of stakeholder
implications, will enable me to participate actively in the Board’s
functions. Finally and more importantly, I am proud of being a UNSWer,
and I have great passion to spare no effort in contributing to UNSW,
making it an even more dynamic and excellent institution.
ARASH SHAGHAGHI
As an international student if I become a member of the principal
academic body of the University: I will try my very best so that the
elected president of the academic board has special consideration of the
requirements for international students who are pursuing higher degree
research.
I will try to use my experience of studying at top universities in the world
including University College London (UCL), UK to provide advises to Vice-‐Chancellor and Council in a manner that the university further aligns
himself with top international standards in teaching and research. I will
also try my very best to convince the Academic Board about the
importance of scholarship for international students and extend the
opportunities, where possible.
Last but not least, as a member of the Engineering faculty I will try my
best to make relevant recommendations to Council.
JOSHUA SWIFT
I am currently in the second year of my PhD at UNSW, in association with
industry, which aims to design a screening test to enable the early
detection of cancers. I have served on the Faculty Board and the
Standing Committee for the Faculty of Science since 2011, and am
currently a member of the BABSOC (BABS student society) executive,
where I am organising a research and collaboration symposium. I have
previously served on various review panels for the University and the
Academic Board. I currently serve as a mentor for SEADU, as well as a
demonstrator/tutor for various courses offered by BABS. I have an
expansive professional network across a broad range of fields, from
which the University can benefit greatly. I enjoy finding simple, elegant
solutions to complex, multifaceted problems. If elected, I look forward to
continuing the great name of UNSW, moving the University onwards and
upwards.
NINA TEROGANOVA
My experience in research programs at UNSW (Hons and PhD) has
highlighted a number of academic areas which can be made
better to make the transition to postgraduate study easier and
more enjoyable for students. For instance there is a big emphasis
on networking and collaborating in research, although many
postgrads are unsure of how to approach other researchers at
events and conferences. As a PhD student who is primarily located
off campus, I have also found it difficult to network with
individuals outside of my laboratory group. The university can
assist with this important issue by holding seminars to help young
researchers learn the necessary tools required for networking. It
would also be useful for postgrads to come together to discuss
and recognise each other’s research progress and publications. I
am passionate about student life and I hope to be given the
opportunity to bring such proposals to fruition.