A gathering of ANUMSA members

To students celebrating this month, Ramadan Mubarak! Happy Ramadan! 

Ramadan is a sacred month that begins with the sighting of the crescent moon (set to happen this week), and it is a time for blessings, abstinence, community, charity, reflection, family, and prayers for Muslims all over the world.  

For students at The Australian National University (ANU), the ANU Muslim Student Association (ANUMSA) provides a welcoming, safe, and supportive community for Muslims on campus, organizing social events, free daily iftars, and access to adequate prayer rooms across campus.  

We spoke to members of ANUMSA about the support available to Muslim students during Ramadan and advice for non-Muslims who would like to show support to those fasting. 

Read more about Ramadan at ANU 

 

Thursday 23 March, 6-8pm 

Join Dr Jeffrey Sarmiento to launch the Australian-made Maple Glass 3D Printer which uses recycled waste glass to create beautiful 3D printed objects. This state-of-the-art technology is the latest addition to the University's glass workshop and will be used for collaborative research and teaching with Engineering and ANU Makerspace. This is one of many events on this week for Alumni week.

Register now 

Thursday 23 March, 6pm 

The SCIENCE.ART.FILM. series uncovers wacky, weird and wonderful facets of science and art in films - in discussion with artists and ANU scholars from different disciplines. This week the FREE screening is science-fiction film Elysium, followed by a discussion about the movie's themes and relevance to modern society. The discussion panel features Dr Ehsan Nabavi, Dr Tatiana Bur, and Professor Simon Niemeyer, who will bring their diverse expertise in engineering, sociology, classics, and democracy. 

Register now 

Monday 27 March, 5:30-7pm 

This month, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is scheduled to release its Synthesis Report, the final product from its last seven years of reporting. Hear directly from Australians involved in preparing and approving this report about its key findings, and the urgent action required to address the challenges and opportunities of climate change. 

Register now 

Tuesday 28 March, 6pm 

Inventor and engineer Saul Griffith will be in conversation with Emma Aisbett on his latest Quarterly Essay, 'The Wires That Bind. Electrification and community renewal.' Griffith's vision of green energy at a local level offers practical solutions for community renewal and financial empowerment through renewable energy. This electrifying essay challenges us to build a better world and benefits every Australian economically, socially and health-wise.  

Register now

 Panellist call out - ANU Trans Day of Visibility 10 Questions with 10 ANU Students & Staff 

To celebrate Trans Day of Visibility the ANU LGBTIQA+ Ally Network (led by the Respectful Relationship Unit) are inviting you to share your experiences as a Trans / gender diverse ANU student. In a rapid-fire panel format you will be asked to respond to ten questions about your journey, your time at ANU and what it means to be Trans / gender diverse. This panel will be dynamic and engaging, inviting you to openly share your hopes, triumphs, and challenges, as well as highlighting any services and supports you have accessed. EOIs close midnight 26 March. 

 

Student Giveaway 

Meet the Author: Michelle Grattan, Brendan McCaffrie and Chris Wallace 

We have a special giveaway for the Meet the Author event with Michelle Grattan, Brendan McCaffrie and Chris Wallace on Monday 3 April. You can win a copy of their book, The Morrison Government, and be one of the first in line to have it signed at the event. The book examines the policies and leadership of the Morrison Government's tumultuous term in office, from its surprise election win in 2019 to the 2022 poll. Discover how the government navigated through the COVID-19 pandemic and reshaped its operations, and gain insights into the resilience of Australia's national government in the face of a massive challenge.  

Two copies of The Morrison Government are up for grabs for ANU students (any program level) to win. Follow the instructions in the entry form to go into the draw and you could be one of the lucky winners! Competition closes at noon AEDT on Wednesday 29 March 2023. Terms and conditions apply. 

Exam time is just around the corner. Are you prepared? Semester 1 mid-semester examinations begin Monday 27 March.  

Make sure you take full advantage of the support that exists on campus to ensure you are adequately prepared for a successful exam period. 

ANU Academic Skills provides essential support to students looking to improve their academic performance by developing their key skills and communication strategies. Their services cater to students at every stage of their academic journey, from first-year undergraduates to final-year PhD candidates.  

We spoke to Ben Kooyman, a Learning Adviser with the ANU Library Academic Skills team about the services and resources ANU Academic Skills provides to students and staff. 

Read more about ANU Academic Skills  

 

Racism has no place on our campus or in our society. International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination, observed 21 March each year, is an opportunity to reflect on what you can do to help eliminate racism. ANU is an official supporter of the Australian Human Right’s Commission Racism. It Stops with Me initiative, and there are some great resources available on how to contribute to a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.  

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience racism stemming from ongoing settler-colonisation.  

Like a health check up can help us track our health and wellbeing, this Check Up can help you track what you are doing, and what more we could be doing to help eliminate racism against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is not an exhaustive list, but rather a series of prompts to help guide and track our ongoing efforts to eliminate racism. As this check up is a tool for reflection and self-assessment, it also provides links to useful resources. 

Tackling racism is the necessary first step to improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing. Watch the video to hear from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about the impacts of discrimination and their visions for world without racism. 

If you’re interested in learning more, have a read of a recent article from ANU academics on the contribution of discrimination to psychological distress among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. Read the full article here.

Complete the Check Up today

Gareth Evans Oration 

Last week, Lord Chris Patten, the last Governor of Hong Kong, visited the ANU campus to deliver the Gareth Evans Oration for 2023. Lord Patten was stationed in Hong Kong from 1992-1997 and played a key role in returning Hong Kong to China. He kept a diary (that he has published as The Hong Kong Diaries) that offers rare insight into the historical transition of power. Watch Lord Chris Patten deliver the 2023 Gareth Evans Oration.