Postgraduate e-newsletter
Welcome
Welcome to the first edition of the Sydney Business School Postgraduate e-newsletter for 2011.
This is also our first edition as the newly named University of Sydney Business School. This name change (from the Faculty of Economics and Business) occurred in January this year and reflects our renewed focus as a dedicated business school.
In this edition we draw your attention to the closing date on 27 June for applications for the Master of Commerce scholarships for students commencing this program in Semester Two 2011.
We also highlight our reputation for excellence in quality research. Our School places immense importance on fostering an environment that values rigorous research and ultimately delivers cultural, social, economic and political benefits to the community. Research is the foundation of everything we do, and the platform from which future learning and development can grow and flourish.
I hope you enjoy reading this edition and find these articles as inspiring as I did.
Warmest regards,
Associate Professor John Shields
News
Alumni Profile
Event Profile
News
Master of Commerce Scholarship Applications now open for Semester 2, 2011
The University of Sydney Business School is pleased to offer two scholarships for students commencing the Master of Commerce postgraduate coursework program in Semester Two 2011.
The Master of Commerce program has been revised for students commencing in 2011. It draws on the strengths of the Business School to assist students to develop the advanced skills and knowledge required for a high-level position in industry, commerce or government.
The scholarships are available to full-time or part-time domestic students and to full-time international students, and cover tuition fees for up to 12 units of study.
They will be awarded on merit to the two most outstanding applicants in the areas of academic achievement, motivation to achieve and business orientation.
Closing date: Monday 27 June 2011
For more information visit the Postgraduate Coursework Scholarships page.
Master of Management: Because you're worth it!
Master of Management students gave their marketing skills a facelift recently at the one-day Brandstorm Challenge 2011 hosted by world leading cosmetics company L'Oréal.
Students were given the creative challenge to revolutionise the male experience of hair salons by developing an idea for a new men-only salon and an associated range of products under L'Oréal's Professionnel Homme label.
They were given an overview of the company and its global working structures and product lines, before breaking into small groups to apply their marketing knowledge to the challenge. Student Henrietta Dreyer said, "The practical experience that the Master of Management offers really makes all the theory we learn relevant. The skills seminar meant we were working on a real-life project, which was not only challenging but a great opportunity to get feedback from other students and bounce ideas off each other."
After presenting their ideas to L'Oréal employees, the students were given feedback about how to approach marketing projects in the most creative, effective and productive way. Two groups were pronounced winners and presented with gifts of champagne. Each participant also received a gift bag of L'Oréal Professionnel products.
Following the official proceedings, the students also had a chance to network with L'Oréal's marketing professionals in an informal setting.
Henrietta said, "The Brandstorm Challenge is worth attending for everyone. It really helped create an overall understanding of how such a large company is structured, and it isn't often you get a chance to interact with industry professionals in this high level way."
For more information visit the Master of Management website.
Alumni Profile
Goodbye to the glass ceiling
Kate O'Reilly (MPAdmin '07) made a dramatic career change with the aim of helping women break down the barriers they face in business. We find out what progress she is making. By Chris Rodley.
After spending years frustrated with the small number of women working in Australia's finance sector, Kate O'Reilly decided to do something about it. So in 2009, she left her post as a director at Deloitte to start up her own consultancy, Optimiss. Its mission: to offer advice and recruitment services to banks and financial services firms looking to increase the number of women in management. We caught up with Kate to find out how her enterprise is going, 18 months in.
What strategies are you using to help promote women in finance?
One key issue we are addressing with businesses are the cultural factors that determine whether women want to stay at a firm. What women see when they look upwards in terms of role models is particularly important, and that is influenced by what the senior management says and does. If there are no role models, women see no career opportunities and they go elsewhere. While companies are often good at assisting working mothers through flexible working practices and support services, cultural problems are much harder to address.
The recruitment side of my firm focuses on providing top female talent for senior roles in the industry. Banks have complained they would love to have more women in senior management but can't find them: the big recruitment firms are just not providing female candidates to clients or assisting the female candidates to further their careers. This is just one of my points of difference.
Is Australia making progress on the issue of gender balance in business?
This year, we have seen enormous change in this area, with new ASX legislation meaning that listed companies must report on their progress on the advancement of women from 1 January. Despite this, a lot of companies are still only paying lip service on this issue and need to be analysing the reality versus the rhetoric.
You attended the Women's Forum for the Economy and Society in France last October. What was the experience like?
I found out about the Women's Forum - a global conference for women focusing on change in business and society - through a client of mine. I was very keen to go and create connections with this international group and approached the Business School to ask if they could support me. I was blown away when they offered financial support for the trip. My experience at the conference was quite overwhelming in terms of the magnitude and diversity of people that I was able to forge connections with. One of the highlights was hearing from Christine Lagarde, the French finance minister, who asked a simple but profound question: "What have you done today to help another woman?"
For further details visit Kate O'Reilly's consultancy.
Events
Urban Transport: A little less conversation, a little more action
For the recently elected NSW government, urban transport remains a priority challenge. Internationally renowned urban transport expert, Professor David Hensher from the Institute of Transport and Logistics (ITLS) at the University of Sydney Business School, suggested a more encompassing way forward for Sydney's public transport crisis at a research forum on Thursday, May 5th.
The forum, which was held at L'aqua, Cockle Bay Wharf, was part of the Business School's Powered By Reseaerch - a series of research forums which have been successfully running since 2009.
Professor Hensher is a key player in promoting reforms in road pricing and recognises the role roads can play in supporting public transport.
Professor Hensher's research investigates whether an increase in funding for public transport is the best way to see a significant improvement made to traffic congestion. He says that over 80% of trips currently made in Sydney are in motor vehicles and questions whether changes will be made unless the Government addresses pricing the use of cars to reflect the cost they're imposing through congestion.
Guests enjoyed a chance to mingle over a hot breakfast before key transport issues were highlighted in Professor Hensher's presentation including: the need for a commitment to networks and systems, the state of public transport, funding sources, special funding instruments and the User Pays system.
Helen Dalley, who is best known as the presenter of Sunday, the Today Show and A Current Affair on the Nine network, and now works for Sky News Australia, facilitated a panel following the presentation. Joining Professor Hensher on the panel was:
- Paul Forward - Principal of Evans & Peck
- Andrew West - Senior Journalist at Sydney Morning Herald
For more information visit the University of Sydney Business School's Powered By Research Breakfast Series
Postgraduate Information Session
More than 150 prospective students, bearing some very thoughtful questions, joined us at the Hilton Hotel, Sydney on Wednesday 20 April 2011, to discover more about the ways in which postgraduate study at the University of Sydney Business School can enhance professional career opportunities in business and management.
Fifty academic and administrative staff from the Business School were on hand to provide one-on-one advice on course content, admission processes, costs, scholarships and career opportunities.
Helen Dalley, who is best known as the presenter of Sunday, the Today Show and A Current Affair on the Nine network, and is now seen on Sky News Australia, facilitated an expert panel discussion, with panellists providing a variety of insights into the value of postgraduate study in general and the focus and relevance of Masters degrees offered by the University of Sydney Business School.
The panel included: University of Sydney alumnae and Managing Director of Optimiss recruitment, Kate O'Reilly, spoke about the career progression possibilities for those undertaking postgraduate degrees; Mr Jonathan Tietke - Recent Graduate, Master of International Business spoke about the opportunities and challenges for balancing postgraduate study and a busy working life; while University of Sydney Business School Associate Dean Postgraduate, Professor John Shields, spoke about the programs on offer and gave specifics on admission requirements and scholarships.
Professor Shields said, "This is a pivotal event in profiling the Business School to prospective domestic students and the feedback from session attendees has been very positive. The level of questioning from participants regarding program choice, structure and content was especially well informed and probing. Interest in the Master of Commerce, the Master of Management and some of our specialised Masters programs was especially high. Attendees also showed strong interest in the opportunities available within our programs to acquire industry and practical experience."
If you missed out on this event, you can attend our Semester Two, Postgraduate Information Evening to be held later in the year. Details will be made available shortly.