7 October 2008
|
| Executive Director of Oxfam Australia Andrew Hewett and Monash Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins sign the memorandum of understanding as the partnership's initial student beneficiaries Neda Monshat and Jessica Malin watch on. |
|
| Jessica Malin and Neda Monshat are the first student beneficiaries of the new Monash/Oxfam partnership. |
Monash University and Oxfam have signed a new wide-ranging agreement to strengthen ties between the two internationally-focused organisations.
The memorandum of understanding, signed today, is the first between Oxfam and an Australian university, and will create a number of new collaboration opportunities in everything from staff exchanges to procurement policies, plus voluntary and pro-bono work opportunities for students.
One of the agreement's first initiatives will be to provide up to seven students, including two from Monash South Africa, with a 12-week internship placement working on human rights and HIV/AIDS issues in South Africa.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Adam Shoemaker said the South African program had been developed in record time by Professor Simon Adams, Head of Arts at Monash South Africa, working closely with Colin Colette van Rooijen, the Oxfam Australia Country Representative in Durban.
He said the University was aiming to expand the program with Oxfam in the future into other regions such as South-East Asia and the Pacific.
"Like Oxfam, Monash has always had a strong commitment to social justice, so for the University it is a natural progression to team up with other like minded organisations," Professor Shoemaker said.
"Interns will be involved directly in Oxfam's campaigns, putting the knowledge and theories they have learnt in the lecture theatre into practice."
Professor Shoemaker said the formal partnership with Oxfam was the first major step in a strategy for Monash University to work more closely with other key Australian and international non-government organisations.
"We hope to develop partnerships with about five significant international non-government organisations within the next four to five years," Professor Shoemaker said. "This is part of our plan to make for a richer learning experience for our students."
Mrs Jan de Kretser, wife of Victorian Governor Professor David de Kretser, officially launched the partnership at the University's Caulfield campus, where Monash Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins and Executive Director of Oxfam Australia Andrew Hewett formally signed the agreement.
Mr Hewett said Oxfam was working hard to build relationships with universities like Monash across the country to tap into the wide range of expertise and energy within these institutions.
"Oxfam carries out aid and development work all over the world and partnerships like this help us to do more to help those who need it," Mr Hewett said.
The partnership's first two successful student interns were also announced. Neda Monshat and Jessica Malin are Law students from the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law and will travel to South Africa in early 2009 to undertake internships with Oxfam and its partner organisations. | 
