La Trobe University Postgraduate Association Inc. (LUPA)

News Item

LUPA Focus Group Recommendations Adopted by La Trobe University

Published 20-07-2009

LUPA (La Trobe University Postgraduate Association) conducted a focus group interview with Indian students to respond to their concerns regarding the recent attacks on the Indian students and their personal safety in Australia. The purpose of the focus group was to raise awareness of the safety needs of international students, and give the students an opportunity to express their concerns and needs and make recommendations based on their own experiences. The interview was organized and conducted by Dr. Bingxin Wang, LUPA Executive Director, with assistance from Mr. Frank van Groeningen, LUPA Administration Office Manager and Ms. Sally Dongping Huang, LUPA President on Friday 5th June 2009. With the agreement and approval of the interviewed students, a Report (Focus Group Interview Report) was written by Dr. Bingxin Wang and it was sent to the University via Dr. Kerry Ferguson, Pro Vice Chancellor of Equity and Student Services, and Mr. Michael Torney, Director of Student Services on 10th June. LUPA also shared its focus group interview findings with CAPA (the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations). A summery of LUPA’s focus group interview findings were included in the CAPA media release, and posted on their website on 12th June 2009.

LUPA is very gratified by the prompt and positive response of La Trobe University to the findings of LUPA’s research into the issue of international student safety. Dr. Kerry Ferguson read the Report on the eve of her overseas trip and made excellent arrangements to address the issues raised in the Report. She also forwarded it to Mr. Leon Lyell as he was to meet the government officials who were addressing safety issues for international students. Mr. Mike Torney organised a special meeting with Dr. Bingxin Wang to discuss the issues raised in the Report. He passed the concerns and recommendations of the students on to the Library and the Security and Traffic Unit, in addition to organising a safety event on 4th August 2009.

LUPA really appreciates the positive outcomes that have achieved by the joint efforts of the student representative body (such as LUPA) and the University (such as Student Services, the Library and the Security and Traffic Unit). The Library stated in its Memorandum on 6th July 2009: “ ‘The library strongly supports the Indian postgraduate students’ request that: The Library should become a shelter and its opening hours should be extended in particularly during examination time’; ‘From second semester 2009 the Library at Bundoora campus will be open earlier, from 8am Monday to Friday (previously 8:30am)’. ‘The Library will also be open longer every weekend from 11am to 5pm (previously 1pm to 5pm except in the week before exams).’ ” The Security and Traffic Unit stated in its Memorandum on 1st July 2009: “ ‘That the security bus service should be extended to include a pick up at Macleod railway station at night is a wonderful suggestion’; ‘Funding will be sought to increase the service in the 2010 budget process by this office’ ”. These positive outcomes demonstrate the value of student representative body and the concern of the University for the international students.

LUPA would like to take this opportunity to express its appreciation to the Indian students who participated in the interview. Without their active participation and sharing their thoughts and concerns with us, LUPA’s Focus Group Interview Report would not come into being.

By LUPA Team on 15 July 2009.