Students gain leadership experience
Vice-Chancellor Professor Ed Byrne with participants in the Ancora Imparo Student Leadership Program.
The 2011 Vice-Chancellor's Ancora Imparo Student Leadership Program has kicked off with a three-day welcome event in Geelong.
The sessions in Geelong included talks from Former Federal Health Minister and stem-cell research campaigner Dr Kay Patterson; Associate Professor Mark Baker from the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation; Mr Julian Burnside QC and Professor Brett Inder from the Department of Econometrics and Business Statistics.
More than 40 students have been selected to participate in this year's program.
In welcoming the students, Monash Vice-Chancellor Professor Ed Byrne said the intellect and enthusiasm of the University's students was an important force for positive change.
"The Ancora Imparo Student Leadership Program is designed to prepare passionate and idealistic students for future leadership roles by acquainting them with the visionary and inspirational principles that guide our current leaders and have guided leaders in the past," he said.
"I trust that the program will help this year's students develop their leadership potential and live up to the challenge of Sir John Monash, to 'equip yourself for life, not solely for your own benefit, but for the benefit of the whole community'."
Students are selected in their first year, from a field of applicants, and complete the program in their second year. As well as the welcome event, the program includes monthly evening seminars at the Caulfield and Clayton campuses.
The program was initiated by former Monash Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins in 2005 and has so far provided more than 200 students with a powerful passport to the future.