Business
Business
ECU MBA student launches website to help rural patients
An ECU Master of Business Administration (MBA) student has developed a website linking patients and carers from rural areas with people offering free accommodation close to treatment centres.
Casey Aburrow created the site Rooms2Recovery.com to address the significant time and expense that those in rural areas face when accessing medical treatment far from home for severe illnesses such as cancer.
Inspiration for the website came from the poplar CouchSurfing site, a hospitality exchange network used by backpackers touring the world, or savvy travellers looking for a taste of local life. Members of the site place and share listings for available accommodation globally. When developing Rooms2Recover, Casey considered how the CouchSurfing concept could be built upon to benefit people in rural communities who are suffering from severe illnesses and the associated costs.
Casey hopes that her website will provide an alternative to renting an apartment or staying in a hotel. Membership is already growing and Casey aims to increase this over the next few months.
ECU alumnus receives Australian Leadership Award
ECU Master of International Business and MBA graduate Mr Brad McManus received an Australian Leadership Award at the 2011 Future Summit in Melbourne.
The Australian Leadership Awards provide the opportunity for outstanding new generation leaders to be recognised for their achievements and to contribute to a vision for Australia's future. The Awards are presented at the Future Summit each year.
The Future Summit series is an initiative of ADC Forum, Australia's pre-eminent not-for-profit leadership organisation, and is the nation's premier platform for the discussion of strategic trends and directions. Over two days, Australia's business, government, academic and community leaders meet to develop actionable options for a sustainable, desirable and prosperous future for Australia.
Mr McManus is an experienced company director, senior executive and management consultant with an 18-year track record of success in Australia, Brazil and South East Asia. His work involves strategically positioning organisations, building their capacity and improving performance in a sustainable way.
The Perth Graduate School of Business
Located on our Mount Lawley Campus, the Perth Graduate School of Business offers a range of postgraduate business and law courses in a flexible and supportive learning environment designed to meet the needs of students already in the workforce.
The state-of-the-art facilities are home to postgraduate Business courses, both research and coursework.
A wide range of disciplines will be offered including accounting, finance, management, marketing, human resources, law & justice, electronic commerce, sport management, enterprise integration, leadership and urban & regional planning.
Our Planning Lecturer helps students obtain work placements
Through senior lecturer Dr Edward Andre's support and industry links, Graduate Diploma of Planning student, Matt Robinson and Bachelor of Planning student, Daniel Bouwer, have been fortunate in gaining workplace experience to complement their studies.
Matt has recently completed work experience over the summer holidays with the City of Wanneroo and Daniel will complete a 4-week placement with the WA Young Planners in the East Pilbara region during the 2011 semester break.
The WA Young Planners work placement is a new initiative designed to interest young planners in working in regional areas. Dr Andre said, "It's important to encourage our students to assist with creating socially cohesive, liveable and sustainable communities. It helps them take theory out of the classroom and apply it in the real-world. It also provides an opportunity to explore the different aspects of the planning industry and identify their area of interest."
Countless career opportunities
Business courses aren't just for corporate high-flyers. A business degree can lead to careers in not-for-profit or public sectors and industries as diverse as mining, tourism, school management, fashion or agriculture.
No matter what they do, most organisations need an accountant, a manager or a marketing professional. Plus many business graduates put their skills to use as specialist consultants or in operating their own small business.
Ensuring needs are met
All Urban & Regional Planning courses have been designed in consultation with representatives from the planning profession, government, industry and the community.
"ECU has taken a good solid approach to planning. The holistic integrated approach of the course structure means students are well prepared for a dynamic and proactive planning career"
- Director General of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, Eric Lumsden
"The knowledge I gained through my studies at ECU is priceless."
I chose ECU because I wanted to study at a University that encourages innovation, open mindedness and social entrepreneurship. The knowledge I gained through my studies as ECU is priceless. I've applied what I have learned in a number of senior executive roles here in Australia and internationally. My learning experience with ECU has contributed directly to my success including being recognised in the WA Business News 40under40 Hall of Fame and receiving the prestigious 2011 Future Summit Australian Leadership Award.
Brad McManus
MBA and Master of International Business graduate
Postgraduate sustainability seminar a hit
The Perth Graduate School of Business (PGSB) launched the Leadership Seminar Series in March 2012 to great success, with the first event drawing a crowd of Postgraduate Business and Law students, staff and industry.
The theme for the first event was sustainability, with special guest speaker Dr Ian Martinus. Dr Martinus has a Doctorate of Business Administration in Information Systems from ECU, and has had an extensive international career. He addressed attendees on the challenges and opportunities faced by organisational leaders in regards to sustainability. He provided examples of the balance and tension between ‘development’ and ‘sustainability’, sharing many of his international experiences from his work in Iraq, Afghanistan, the United States of America and Australia.
Program Director of MBA and Graduate Studies, Associate Professor Maryam Omari, found the event to be a valuable occasion for Postgraduate students. Not only did it offer an excellent opportunity to learn about leadership and the responsibility leaders have for sustainable business practice, but the chance to network with other Postgraduate students.
New urbanism under the spotlight
Field trips, practical projects and case studies are an integral part of our Urban & Regional Planning disciplines.
Western Australia is used as a living laboratory together with an overview of international planning practice. Students assess examples of new urbanism in communities such as Joondalup and Subiaco.
In the spotlight: lecturer Tara Smith
Human Resource Management lecturer Tara Smith, is one of six ECU staff members to win a 2011 Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Tara shares her teaching journey. "After nearly 10 years I remain passionate. I really believe in the benefits of good HRM practices and helping others to discover its importance is what makes my job so special".
Tara comments, "To achieve this, I work hard at building relationships with my students, not just during their time at ECU but also as they begin to develop careers as HRM professionals."