• Local students
• International students

Laurence Barnes

Diploma of Information Technology (General)

‘The diploma provided opportunities that helped me find my passion and develop contacts within the industry. The program involves a number of different areas that I want to explore and a few new ones that will help me grow as a web site designer and business owner.’

Tony Cassis

Bachelor of Health Science (Chiropractic)

‘I’ve always wanted to make a difference in people’s lives.’

‘The program doesn’t just teach you how to adjust people’s backs, it gives you an understanding of ethics and psychology, which are important aspects of being a chiropractor. I’ve seen and experienced how debilitating living in constant pain is, so being able to ease someone’s pain, without the use of drugs or surgery, is very gratifying.’

Dr Wee Hong Chin

School of Civil, Environmental and Chemical Engineering

Cleaning up greywater with PhD research

Dr Wee Hong Chin was passionate about issues of sustainability and environment. “To me it’s really important to be able to make the best possible use of greywater in Australia and to be involved in research that will help with this issue is really exciting,” he said.

Dr Chin compared three homogeneous Advanced Oxidation Processes (Fenton, photo-Fenton and Ultraviolet C radiation/hydrogen peroxide) and found that AOPs have real potential in the treatment of greywater for recycling and further use.

Dr Chin found that the ultraviolet C radiation/hydrogen peroxide process was capable of treating all greywaters tested to meet regulatory requirements and was the most effective for removal of chemical oxygen demand.

“Currently, the processes are more suitable to larger scale recycling projects such as for apartment blocks, hospitals and schools. In these larger facilities skilled operators are required to ensure that the supply of effluent is suitable for reuse.”

Dr Hossein Daryaei

School of Applied Science

Fresh cheese takes PhD graduate all the whey

Dr Daryaei’s investigations into the high pressure processing (HPP) technology could help open new export opportunities for manufacturers of fresh cheeses, which make up more than 20 per cent of Australia’s annual cheese production.

“These findings have much technological significance and will help cheese manufacturers to expand distribution around the country and take advantage of opportunities for exporting their products to new markets.”

“I had the opportunity to work with an experienced supervisory team, including Dr Frank Sherkat from the School of Applied Science, Dr John Coventry and Dr Cornelis Versteeg from the Innovative Foods Centre of Food Science Australia,” he said.

“My findings were published in peer-reviewed journals and I also had the chance to present them at national and international conferences.”

“It is a great feeling now to finally graduate and see all my hard work coming to fruition.”

Melissa Guiney

Certificate III in Printing and Graphic Arts (Graphic Prepress)

Melissa’s decision to undertake an apprenticeship with RMIT was a key to her gold at the National World Skills finals.

“When I got involved in the World Skills competition, I felt I had a combination of practical and theoretical knowledge to do well. I was shocked to win, but really happy. ‘I went straight from school to work experience, so after a while, I decided I wanted to get a formal qualification in the industry. I went straight to RMIT knowing they had a great reputation in the print graphics.

Completing a trade is a great way to get ahead, so I would definitely recommend it to others. You’re getting paid to learn instead of the other way around. ”

Lee Kofman

School of Global Studies, Social Science and Planning

Do non-facial scars affect women’s lives?

Lee Kofman acquired multiple scars on her body when she was a child. Looking back on her life, she could trace many of her experiences and choices during adolescence and adulthood back to those scars.

“Scarring can give you a profound sense of difference from others but your feelings are not set in stone – at various times of my life I saw myself either as disgusting or as someone unique because of my scars.”

About 100 million people in the developed world acquire scars each year and preliminary research suggests people with physical disfigurements experience higher rates of anxiety and depression, lower self-esteem and sometimes a profound sense of loss.

“This study aims to support the provision of appropriate services for women with non-facial scarring.”

The research is supervised by Associate Professor Jennifer Martin and Professor Pavla Miller in the School of Global Studies, Social Science and Planning.

Heidi Lange

Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace)

‘The knowledge and industry experience I gained by studying aerospace engineering at RMIT has opened up career opportunities around the globe.’

Marcel Madalin

Bachelor of Business (Economics and Finance) – Applied

‘My degree is an effective balance between theory and practice, with numerous opportunities to tailor it to suit my own personal growth needs. My involvement in the Milan study tour further broadened my knowledge base and enriched my studies through a great cross-cultural experience.’

Mario Matchado

Marketing (Applied) – Bachelor of Business

Mario spent a year at L’Oreal on a marketing internship, fully paid.

“Practical work experience at L’Orèal has meant I’ve learnt so many new skills. The year was effectively the third year of my degree. I’ll go back to uni for my final year with some very valuable skills. Not to mention a part-time job at L’Orèal and an offer of full time employment when I graduate.” Mario was also involved in the winning team representing RMIT at the L’Orèal Brandstorm competition. “Everyone encouraged me to take part. I’d say RMIT was 99% of the drive behind my involvement in the competition. We were placed in teams of three, so we had to work together and be able to deliver under pressure. We all had a practical understanding of what was required, and were used to working in teams. Going to Paris to represent Australia was amazing.”

Jamie Mazoudier

MBA (Executive)

MBA (Executive) took Jamie all the way to Vietnam, China and France.

“Completing overseas study tours builds an international aspect into the degree which is invaluable for anyone who wants to work overseas or obtain an edge in today’s multicultural society. The networks formed during these tours are invaluable, and studying at an overseas institution gives you access to academics who are global leaders in their field.

I find RMIT to be a progressive and dynamic university. The subject matter is relatable and courses can be tailored to give me a deeper understanding of what is relevant for me today, and tomorrow.”

Tom Morgan

Bachelor of Architecture

‘Architecture students work and live architecture—they don’t sleep. They create an environment outside of and beyond normal academic structures. I don’t think I’ve ever met a more driven and intelligent group of people.’

Katinka Poole

Bachelor of Design (Fashion)

‘It was a great way to learn and experience the intensity and workload of the industry in an environment that’s supportive and stimulating.’

Steven Rhall

Photography – Bachelor of Arts

Steven follows his dream at RMIT. Starting out at TAFE, he is now ready to move to the degree.

“For as long as I can remember I have been drawn to taking photographs; the enjoyment I get has been addictive. Sharing these images with others also brings great satisfaction. I was pleased to discover the fulfillment and experience that studying photography at RMIT provided. I found the TAFE program was the right move for me personally and professionally. As I had decided to turn my hobby into a career, I liked the smaller commitment of two years and the non-existence of a HECS debt! Having completed the TAFE program, I decided I’d try and consolidate by improving my skills with a degree. The teaching staff in the diploma helped me with my ambition throughout the program by providing support and assistance based on their own experience as professionals. They also helped with advice on moving into the degree.”

Dr Indu Singh

School of Medical Sciences

Research that examined the effectiveness of antioxidants such as chocolate in preventing heart disease has earned Indu Singh a PhD.

Dr Singh studied antioxidants such as cocoa, olive leaf extract and vitamin E and found they could potentially reduce the risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

“Healthy eating is the answer and a diet that includes good amounts of olive oil, nuts and green leafy vegetables – and some high-quality dark chocolate – will help you lower your risk of developing heart disease.”

Dr Singh, a Lecturer in Haematology, said while the many studies she undertook as part of her PhD showed the benefits of antioxidants, more research was needed.

“There is a lot of work yet to be done to identify how antioxidants actually work,” she said.

“After all the challenges involved with completing a PhD, finally graduating gives me a great sense of achievement and real confidence in continuing further in this field,” she said.

Read the thesis through the Australian Digital Theses Program.

Georgiana Stan

Food Technology and Nutrition – Bachelor of Science

Georgiana is developing food products by applying the principles of science she learned at RMIT.

“I’ll often be involved with developing a new product. It could be a chocolate bar, so I’ll develop the ingredients, make decisions about what goes into the bar and then create the recipe. We have a lab set up that’s essentially a kitchen, where we mix up our recipes. It’s quite high tech, so a kind of mini factory with small versions of the machines used to manufacture the product. This means we can create mock ups, cook up syrups and make caramels. We have a machine to pour the chocolate. I’m now developing Cadbury products and loving it. I’m involved from concept all the way through trials and manufacturing support. It’s a challenge, but I was ready. It’s very satisfying to see a product I’ve developed on the supermarket shelf.”

Victoria Wells

Juris Doctor

Victoria creates a legal future.

“The perspective that you gain from doing a law degree is matched by the environment in which it is taught. If you want to do law, whether for practice or to further your other career objectives, you deserve to give yourself an opportunity to learn it in an environment that continually inspires you to excel.”