Support for South Africa campus student volunteers
Professor Tyrone Pretorius Pro Vice-Chancellor and President, South Africa campus and Dr Alan Finkel, Chancellor
Student volunteers at Monash South Africa now have a new area in which to organise their activities with the official opening of the Alan Finkel Volunteer Space at a ceremony held on campus last month.
Pro Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Tyrone Pretorius, thanked Dr Alan Finkel on behalf of staff, students and the surrounding community.
Professor Pretorius said community engagement at Monash South Africa began organically as a student initiative several years ago and since then has evolved to become very well supported.
"Due to the enthusiasm and volunteer spirit of the students, Monash South Africa felt it necessary to provide support and structure, to ensure continuity within the constantly changing student body, and appointed a Community Engagement Officer, Mr Craig Rowe, to coordinate the activities of the students. Up until now the student volunteers have been operating out of Mr Rowe's office," Professor Pretorius said.
"We are most grateful to the Chancellor who, through his Foundation, asked whether there was a project he could support. After being so impressed with the Saturday School (where learners from disadvantaged schools in the area are provided with extra tuition) as well as other student volunteer projects and activities on campus."
"It will also assist with one of our key objectives: As an education institution we need to ensure that our volunteer activities fit into and influence our education, teaching and research while benefitting our community."
Dr Finkel said that an important aspect of South Africa is the nation building efforts being undertaken.
"The spirit of reconciliation is part of nation building as is the capacity of ordinary people to make a difference. Monash South Africa is educating the leaders of the future. Future leaders also need to be sensitised to understand the plight of others and need to do things to assist other people," Dr Finkel said.