Fed up over Monash Uni campus crawl

Posted to Monash Weekly (19/3/2012) on 23/3/2012 at 2:44 PM

Edited by Newspaper 16/6/2012 at 10:59 AM
Commenting on "Fed up over Monash Uni campus crawl"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/article.aspx?id=2491899

That Monash University students are opting to stay at home and listen to their lectures online because it takes too long to get to the university by public transport is a sign that computer technology will continue to cut the need for public transport. There will be less need for new buses and cars and university campus size will shrink.

As lectures can be recorded and delivered repeatedly, there will be fewer lecturers and less jobs at university for future graduates. The future gurus predicted in the 60s that we would have more leisure time — to play on iPad and do nothing constructive.

Fed up over Monash Uni campus crawl

Posted to Monash Weekly (19/3/2012) on 23/3/2012 at 2:44 PM (Not published by Newspaper)
Commenting on "Fed up over Monash Uni campus crawl"
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/article.aspx?id=2491899

Monash University students are opting to stay at home and listen to their lectures online because it takes too long to get to the university by public transport.

Let' see, public transport services will drop in patronage, no new vehicles required, university campus size will shrink, lectures can be recorded and delivered repeatedly rendering lecturers redundant, no employment in university for future graduates, etc.

The futurist gurus predicted in the 60's have finally realised that with advancement in computer technology we would have more leisure time - playing on iPad, doing nothing constructive.

It's like online shopping, the down side is loss of employment. Unfortunately service industry will prosper if other industries can bring home the bacon.

Real Estate Forecast

Posted to Letters to the Editor, Monash Weekly on 14/12/2010
Title: Real Estate Forecast

Economy is not as robust as what ABS reckoned, and the real unemployment rate is much higher than reported. Many people face financial trouble in meeting mortgage payment, and more mortgagee auctions will take place;

1. Closing the loophole of allowing the foreign investors to invest in secondhand properties without FIRB approval results in the collapse in sale price in many suburbs due to lack of competition;
2. Change of government policies in international education results in drastic drop in international students coming to Australia, thus kills off student accommodation rental demand. Many properties used for such purpose will be forced to sell;
3. Change of policies also results in closure of international colleges, which normally lease commercial buildings used as classrooms. Many of such buildings will be vacant;
4. 2010 Christmas retail sales will be below previous years', threatening the survival of some small businesses. Unemployment will shoot up beyond many economists' forecast in Jan and Feb 2011. Businesses for sale will be increased;
5. The median price across the board in Melbourne will decline to around $550,000 by June 2011;
6. In general, there will more listings than sales from December onwards;
7. 2011 is not a year for the real estate rookies - only the experienced survive.
8. ASX index will be below 5000 points for another few more months, likely up till March.

Chinese International Students

Posted to Letters to the Editor, Monash Weekly on 4/12/2010
Title: Chinese International Students

The Chinese Government should request the colleges and universities to let them look at the submissions of the Chinese students' assessment tasks.

Students (or students of other levels) don't have the English language competency of a Year 6 Australian student. Not only the Australian colleges and universities should be under scrutiny, but also authorities in China that certify the qualification and competency of the students coming to study.

I have never 'kowtau' to colleges, private or government funded, that pressure me to pass any student who does not deserve it, especially those who only attain 10% class attendance. I believe in honesty, integrity and trustworthiness!

Decline in International Students

Posted to Letters to the Editor, Monash Weekly on 4/12/2010
Title: Decline in International Students

The change of government policies during mid-2010, and tightening the granting of PR to international students resulted in drastic drop of international students coming to Australia, so much so that the international education and student accommodation industries may face extinction.

The international education generated over $18b "export" income, and created unprecedented demand of sessional teachers, commercial building for classrooms, student accommodation, public transport usage, ethnic groceries, etc.

The spin-off of having these international students is that they provide lowly paid workforce doing all the menial tasks, and long unpalatable hours of work. While this may sound unethical, it does help many businesses to cut cost and increase productivity.

It seems many policy makers had neither consulted the industry players nor paid any attention to possible negative impact which might realise.

If the unfortunate predictions were to come true, we can see, first, a definite rise in unemployment - from teaching profession to many service providers. Second, many CBD's will experience population drop, and decline in vibrance. Third, the student accommodation market will be annihilated. Fourth, the number of passengers using public transport system will also decrease.

Arson attack at Sussex Heights

Posted to Waverley Leader (13/11/2010) on 14/11/2010 at 12:09am
Commenting on "Arson attack at Sussex Heights"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/arson-attack-at-sussex-heights/

What a waste of money and firefighters' time and effort! Although it has never been mentioned in previous and this reports what psychological impact these fires have on the students, I suggest that the teachers should pay attention to the behavioural change in some students and significant change in their performance.

Has the school put in any preventative measures since the last fire on 24/10/2010? When the "arson" reported in this paper, I commented that "Prevention is better than cure. It's about time that all schools conduct fire-safe (not fire safety) audit to minimise / stop potential fire bug attacks.

Student protests at Clayton Monash University campus

Posted to Waverley Leader (28/9/2010) on 6/10/2010 at 5:16pm
Commenting on “Student protests at Clayton Monash University campus”
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/student-protests-at-clayton-monash-university-campus/

Instead of wasting his precious time (life) demonstrating, why not ask the Uni. how a "model student" should behave, and then do according to the Uni's standard to gain entrance to the Malaysian campus. Behaving stubbornly, Steven wants the system to change for him, and yet he is not prepared to change himself. Self-centredness won't win the race!

It is easy to change the system if you know how the system works.

VCE students get their marks

Posted to Waverley Leader 14/12/2009 at 7:08 PM
Commenting on "VCE students get their marks"
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/vce-students-get-their-marks/

Who was the smart cookie that decided 99.95% was the perfect score? No wonder Australia has literacy and numeracy problems!

Literacy problem - not understanding the meaning of perfect; numeracy problem - 100% means the whole without missing bits!

Students living in poverty

Posted to Waverley Leader on 5/3/2009 at 5:24 AM
Commenting on “Students living in poverty”
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au//news/story/students-living-in-poverty/

University or higher education is a privilege and not a right. Anyone who can make it should have planned carefully before enrolling and taking on the challenge.

We cannot choose whatever societal system just to please our needs. We cannot expect everyone in the society to pick up the bills to educate us, or to clothe, feed or shelter us. Neither should we expect the society to raise our children! If this is what we expect or demand from the society, then we must go for a socialistic or communistic society, not a democratic and capitalistic one.

Far too often, when graduates start to earn money, some may earn lots and lots of it, they will ill change their mind about supporting students living below the poverty line.

There is no rule to say at what age a student shall be attending university. The student should take responsibility of his/her destiny If one cannot make it by 19 years old then join the education train later, but works towards it with his/her strength and might. He/she may have to work 2 jobs or 3, 60 hours or 90, to save the necessary monies for university fees and expenses.

I had been a university student for many times, but never expected handout. I worked hard for it!