Spring Orientation 2020- Engineering/Engineering Science Transcript

Yeah. Thanks. Thanks very much for joining us for the Engineering and Engineering Science
Orientation. So before. Before I begin, I would like to do an Acknowledgement of Country with
respect for Aboriginal cultural protocol and out of recognition that its campuses occupy their
traditional lands, Western Sydney University acknowledges the Darug, Eora, Dharawal (also referred
to as Tharawal) and Wiradjuri peoples and thanks them for their support of its work in their lands in
Greater Western Sydney and beyond. Thank you. So, I will now hand over to Our Associate Dean
learning and teaching, Associate Professor Surendra Shrestha to introduce the academic staff, and
also to welcome everyone.

Thank you Fidelis. Good morning, everybody. So I can see we have a number of students really
welcome to our investment session.

By the way, before we start, just to let you know that this zoom session is being recorded, so I hope
that you all okay with the recording. If you don't want to be recorded. Please, you can turn your
video off. Okay. So yeah, thank you for that. And thanks for Fidelis. Yeah. Welcome to the School of
Engineering Orientation session or for Spring semester 2020, so we are really pleased to see you
joining us and getting on the way for your career path to hopefully, we want to make sure that
everything we do here is going to be helping you achieve your goal. So at any time during the
semester throughout your study here, please feel free to contact the staff in the university in the
school for any assistance you need.

So I just want to introduce a few key people today, but you will be seeing a lot more as you join us
next semester when the semester begins.

The first of all, you just heard from Associate Professor Fidelis Machinery, he is the Director
Academic program for Civil and Construction Engineering key programs; so if you have any question
related to those key programs, if you're enrolled in those key programs, please, you know, feel free
to contact Professor Machinery. You can find these details on the staff directory. And as we go
through, he will be able to see, you know, and what Fidelis will be talking about the curriculum.

We have Dr Jamal Rizk, who is our Director of Academic Program for Electrical engineering key
programs. If you're into that key program, then please make sure that you go and see Dr Rizk. You
know when you join the university, when you come to come on campus because you'll be able to get
you to know, an incredible pool of information and any assistance you need when you if you have
any question for those for electrical engineering students.

Then we have Associate Professor Ming Zhao, who is also it here today, and he is the Director
Academic Program for Mechanical and Robotic and Mechatronic Engineering key programs. So
again, please go and say hello to Ming, Professor Zhao and if you have any question related to that,
then you can approach him with the questions on mechanical robotic and mechatronic key
programs.

We also are also pleased to introduce Dr Helen Wu, who is our Academic Course Advisor for first
year Engineering. So some of you may not know which particular key program you are in and please
contact Dr Wu and see will be coming and talking be approaching on the regular basis to see how
things are going, what support is required and she will be in touch with you throughout you know
your journey, at least in the first year, you will notice that she will be coming and SCEM you.
We also have Associate Professor Olivia Marisa Olivia, you are I can’t see you on the video but,
Maritza who is an Associate Dean Engagement, she will make a presentation later on and talk about
Engineers Australia. As well as the women in engineering and you will be able to see the expertise to
brings you in and again she is available to you of course. So I said, all of us are available throughout
the semester across anytime you have any queries, please come and see us and we'll be able to help
you, once again, welcome to the School of Engineering and we hope you will have a fantastic
learning experience and overall experience at the Western Sydney University School of Engineering.

Oh now, I'll pass it back to Fidelis to go over yeah, thanks for that Fidelis.

Thanks very much. So I think I will, I will start with the with their course structure. So I think most of
you are already aware of the of the process that we have here at Western Sydney. So we have the
Bachelor of Engineering Honours, which is a four-year program if you are doing full time and we also
have a Bachelor of Engineering Advance Honours program, which is also four years if you are doing
studying full time. And then we also have the Bachelor of Engineering Science program, which is a
three-year program if you are doing full time. So I think maybe the question is, what might be the
differences between these programs. So for those of you who are doing the Bachelor of Engineering
Honours and also the Bachelor of Engineering Advance Honours, you end up becoming professional
engineers. And if you do the Bachelor of Engineering Science and you can become an engineering
technologist, so maybe one step below the professional engineer.

I think one of the advantages here at Western Sydney is that if you were, for example, to start doing
the Bachelor of Engineering Science and you are doing really well in your first year. You can also
choose to change to or transferred to the Bachelor of Engineering Honours for example, and if you
have a very high GPA. Then you should also be able to transfer it to the Bachelor of Engineering
Advanced. So if your GPA is I think it's above 5.5 at the end of your first year, you can also choose to
join the Bachelor of Engineering Advanced Honours course. The difference between the Bachelor of
Engineering and the Bachelor of Engineering Advanced as you can see here is that for the Bachelor
of Engineering Advanced which is normally for our high achieving students, it also has a focus on
research. So some of you who might want to do a master's after you finish your undergraduate
degree or if you wanted to do a PhD in this would be a good platform for you to get your research
skills.

So those are the courses which I showed you before. They are just single degrees. And we also have
double degree or concurrent degree programs. So the Bachelor of Engineering Advanced Honours,
and the Bachelor of Applied Leadership and Critical Thinking. So that's one of our double degree.
And we also have a double degree with Engineering Honours and the Bachelor of Business and we
also have a double degree with Engineering Honours and the but the Bachelor of Data Science so, if
you do these courses, then you would need to complete the course in in five years. There's also an
opportunity to fast track if you do some of the unit in summer. So we also have a summer session at
the end of every year. And if you are able to do some of the units within these degrees in summer.
You might also be able to finish, maybe slightly earlier, maybe in for and a half year, for example.

For your enrolments and I guess some of you have already enrolled or most of you have already
enrolled. So, if you are doing full time, we are expecting you to enrol into four units. And for this
semester so for maths you can enrol in either mathematics for engineers preliminary or you can also
be enrolled into the mathematics for engineers 1. But your enrolment in maths would depend on
the on the readiness test. So if you do the readiness test and you pass, then you should be able to
enrol in mathematics for engineers later on during the session. There's going to be a presentation by
Dr Donald Chairman and he's going to talk to you more about the readiness test. And he's also going
to talk to you about maths support which you can get from MESH, which is our mathematics
education support hub. So that's your enrolment in math, so you can also enrol in this semester in
electrical fundamentals and Dr Jamal is here. He's going to be your unit coordinator for electrical
fundamentals. But if you are doing civil construction or mechanical engineering key programs, then
you can also choose not to do electrical fundamentals but choose an elective and that elective can
be a level one elective so then the other unit which you have to enrol in this semester is
fundamentals of mechanics. And we also have engineering materials but for enrolment into
engineering materials, it will depend on where they are doing. So if you are doing electrical Robotic
and Mechatronic engineering key programs, you can also choose not to do engineering materials
and do an elective so the enrolment into this unit may be also depend on where you're coming from.
If you're coming directly from high school, then you should be able to enrol into this unit directly.
But if you have done it a TAFE diploma or if you're coming from another university and you are
transferring then you need to meet your academic advisor and get recognition of prior learning,
which is also referred to as advanced standing here at Western Sydney, so please make sure that if
you have a TAFE diploma or you are coming from another university, talk to your academic advisor
and make sure that you get your advanced standing. And so then if you know the units that you're
going to get, they will also advise you of which unit you can enrol into. So the unit which you might
end up doing if you have a diploma or another qualification my might end up being slightly different
to the units which are shown here.

So I think tutorials or tutorial registration has already started. And so, for you, for those of you who
have already enrolled into the tutorials you can change your timetable, if required. And if you go to
the starting at Western tab you should be able to get information there for changing your tutorial
timetable, if required. On the 13th of July I think all the students who haven't enrolled will be
automatically placed into different tutorials? But if you have already enrolled, then you should be
okay. And on the third of August, then tutorial registration is going to be to be closed. But if you
have any issues enrolling in tutorials, please contact your unit coordinator and they should be able
to assist you with your enrolments in the tutorial or in the practicals.

So, we also have some expectations clearly, yes.

Can I just interrupt for a minute here? Yeah, yeah.

I mean, all of you, I think all the students who are participating today, all of you are well versed in
using zoom right so you can raise hands, If you have any questions, please feel free to do so. And we
just asked if you want to put something on chat, please do that as well. Now, Professor Machinery
has been talking to you about all these different things that's available to you. So, I we are assuming
that you already know what a tutorial is and we're assuming you already know what the lecture is
typically when you come to university, you will be doing different you know for a particular subject
we call unit. So in your HSC know that is, called a course, so we call that a unit here for every unit
you will do some lectures, then it will also have some tutorial sessions. The last some practical
sessions. So that's what Professor Mashiri has been talking about. And if you have any of those
concerned don't understand. Please contact your academic advisor details are there provided and
that's what the first and my city will be talking about. So please don't feel left out, make sure that
there are there are opportunities available for you to ask those questions. Okay. And Georgia you
had just posted a link on starting at Western the one Professor Mashiri was talking about. Oh,
thanks. So Fidelis back to you.

Thanks very much Surendra, that and that's very good points. So, we also have some expectations
for you when you when you enrol into the course.
 So, one of the expectations is that you should be, because most of you are going to be doing labs as
part of your, of your studies. So, we expect you to be to complete an induction for before you attend
your labs. I will show a few more slides on this. And for your studies. So, the expectation is that you
spend 10 hours for each of the of the units or the subjects that you are going to be doing. So, for
example, if you have a three-hour lecture, for example, and you have a two-hour lab session. And
you also have a one-hour tutorial so then that will make a total of six hours. So, in addition to those
contacts hours you're also expected to spend another four hours doing your revision and also maybe
catching up with some of the assignments that you have. So normally we have information from
students will try to adopt this approach that they find that their studies become easier because they
are spending the right amount of time, in their studies. As part of qualifying for your engineering
degree you're supposed to do 12 hours full time of Industrial experience. So, this is actually an
engineer's Australia requirement. And when you do that workplace experience, you're also required
to make sure that you are being supervised by a professional engineer and the industrial experience.
You can also do it in maybe one company or you can do parts of your 12 weeks in different
companies that is also acceptable.

So now that you have joined Western Sydney, if you want to communicate with the academic staff,
make sure that you are using your WSU email account. So because one of the reasons for this is that
if you are using your Gmail, for example, that might be considered to be spam, and then you might
not be able to communicate with this staff because you your email won't reach them. And we also
expect you to log into your email accounts regularly maybe every day to be able to make sure that
you don't miss any important emails from the academic staff so earlier, when I talked about the WHS
so each of you before you go to the labs, you're required to complete your induction for the labs,
and you can do that by logging into VUWS, if you log into VUWS, you should be able to see it. That
tab is the electrical, mechanical work health and safety induction tab or the civil construction work
and safety induction tab and you can complete your induction there, I think, as I said before, if you
have any problems, please contact your unit coordinator and they should be able to help you.

As well with day two with the induction or anything which is required for your inductions before you
do the labs we think most of you already have your university email accounts and for those of you
who are in engineering, you're also required to have what's referred to as a SCEM account. So this
SCEM account also allows you to access the speciality labs, so for engineering software. So, and that
software in the SCEM labs. And you should be able to see your SCEM computer accounts, they
already automatically setup and you should be able to use your SCEM computer accounts to also log
in remotely to the lab. So, make sure that you check that you have both your Western University
email account. So the Western University email account. Start with you ID number, but your SCEM
account maybe might have a part of you have your name or initials and you're surname on it. So,
make sure that you are aware of those two email accounts that you can use during your studies here
at Western Sydney University.

So, I think one of the portals, which is quite important for you is my Western student portal. So if
you go to my Western student portal you can see that you should be able to access most of the
important links that you need for your your studies. So, your email and your VUWS pages, as we said
before, so VUWS allow you to access all the content that you need for your studies. You can also
access my student records, so at the end of the semester or your results will be accessible through
my student records. You can also look at your time tables, you can have access to the library and you
also have access to the E Forms. So our E forms link allows you to apply for special consideration. For
example, if you have a misadventure or if you become sick during the, during the session and you
are unable to do some of your assessments so you can also apply for special consideration and you
also have access to MY IT. So, if you have any issues with access to it you can also log in and you can
request assistance from the IT team so they should be able to help you as well through this link?

I think we already talked about VUWS. So, this is where you can access all the information for your
units. So if you are doing full time study you have four units which will be available through VUWS so
you can log into VUWS through the link which is on the Western Sydney University homepage. And if
you if you log in, you should be able to see links to the subjects or to the units that that you are
enrolled in. And if you if you access the tab for one of your units, you should also have access to the
to the learning guides and also the unit outlines.

So our unit outlines and planning guides, they are the documents which allow you to be able to
know the content that you are required to do in that unit. It also allows you to know the
assessments that you have in that unit. And it also gives you the teaching and learning activities. So,
if you look, if you go to the learning guides and you go at the to the end of this document, you can
see it week by week at least have activities.

A very important part of your, of your learning awareness. So if you have, that learning and teaching
activity list, you should be able to map the activities for four different units that you are going to be
enrolled in. If you're doing if you're doing full time and if you are able to map and see when all your
assessments are due. I do think it will also allow you to better plan for your units as well. So, I think
we, we recommend you log into VUWS and maybe print out the learning and teaching activities at
the end of each of your learning guides for the different units and maybe put it on your wall and
make sure that you're aware of all your assessments as time goes on during the semester.

I think this is just showing us the some of the key dates or for the spring session. I think most of you
have already enrolled into your tutorial. So that's, that's fine. Please note that you, also have the
ability to do some precision workshops, such as academic literacy, for example. So, if you log into
this link, you should be able to do some workshops related to academic literacy, the session itself
starts on the 28th of July.

On the on the 31st of August, we have what's referred to as the census date. So this is the last date
you might be able to drop one of your units. If you find that you are unable to cope, or if the other
extenuating circumstances which might prevent you to do full time study. So be aware of, this date
as well. We, are also going to have an intercession break during the semester and towards or at the
end of the semester. We also have a study week so STUVAC between the 26th of October, and the
fifth of November, and then we have two weeks of exams before results are released and before the
session ends.

For your career, I think we have five different key programs in here at Western Sydney University. So
depending on what new course they are quite a number of different areas where you might find
yourself working. So for those of you who do civil engineering, for example, you might end up doing
work which relates to water, roads and buildings and this could be site engineering, or it could be
design. And for those of you who are doing robotics and maybe mechanical engineering. You might
also end up in mechanical design and maybe robotics and make a show next related area areas and
some of you who are doing electrical engineering, you might end up in telecommunications, and so
on and so forth. So, there's quite a number of different areas we might end up I think as you
progress through your career. So, you find that maybe most of the engineers also start to become
managers, project management becomes quite important. So these are some of the areas that you
might end up in. I think as we move along, or as you progress through your course you will also find
that understanding systems analysis and also systems design, which is also very important when you
start working. So this will also be part of your course and also it becomes a big part of your working
life. So understanding systems and also designing systems and those systems could be in civil
engineering or in mechanical engineering or in electrical engineering as well. So I think some of my
colleagues, so Dr Jamal is here and Associate Professor Michelle is here, so they can also tell you,
maybe a little bit more about the type of work you might be able to do, and there so Helen and
Olivia are here and Professor Surendra so if you have any questions.

So I think one of the advantages here at Western Sydney, is that we have quite a lot of different
support systems and all these supposed systems are actually free for you to access, and I will talk
maybe a little bit about some of them. So I already talked about the workshops on academically
literacy but we also have support. For you to be able to plan and study smart and we also have
maybe a study coach workshop for you, which you should be able to do so look for this workshops
and make sure that you access that support.

Dr Donald Shaman is going to be talking about the mathematics education support hub. So, I'll leave
that to him. We also have consulting services. So if you have any personal issues or if you are facing
any challenges in life, that s in the uni and outside of the unit. So feel free to visit the counselling
services so that they can help you, so they are always there to help. We also have a PASS program,
so Peer Assisted Study Sessions. One of the advantages of the PASS program is that in first year you
although you have your lectures, you have your tutorials and you also have your practical. So, if you
are having any difficulties to understand some of the content, we have Peer Assisted study sessions
which are led by some of the students who might be in second third or fourth year who have done
really well in the subject that you're studying. So, these students or your peers will be able to also
help you with future studies during your course. We also have careers advice. I think we already
talked about studying at Western and also look at transition success so that enables you to maybe to
have a better mindset as you move from high school, or you move from TAFE to see maybe the best
way you can manage your studies at the at the University.

So some of the most important people who are actually not here today are your academic COURSE
advisors. So we have academic advisors in addition to Dr Helen, who is here. So you also have
academic cause advisors for specific key programs. So for civil engineering and construction
engineering at Parramatta is Dr Dr Won Hee Kang, he is going to be there to help you as well at
Penrith Dr Pan, who is also going to be able to help you with your studies and maybe advanced
standing for civil and construction and at Parramatta we have Dr Qi Cheng. Also going to be helping
in electrical engineering in Penrith, Assoc. Prof. Gaetano Gargiulo is also there to help you with you
with course advice and in mechanical engineering we have Dr Dr Hui Xie. In Parramatta we have Dr
Ee Loon Tan here in Penrith, so if you have any, any questions which relate to, to add fund standing
or your course progression. Please free, to contact your academic advisor for the different key
programs. I think I will think I'll stop here and I think handover back to our Associate Dean for
learning and teaching Assoc. Prof Surendra Shrestha

I know that is a lot of information for you to digest this and you can see there's a pretty fast moving
and the presentation yourself from Fidelis. And we do understand that but like Fidelis, said the
important thing for you to remember is that there is a lot of support available to you. And we're all
here to support you and help you in achieving your dream, your goal, so please make sure that you
talk to all the academic course advisors. You talk to the unit coordinators unit coordinator is the
people who are responsible for the particular subject, you will be, you will be attending each
semester. So typically, let him four subjects in a semester we call it for unit. Don't hide if you need
any help the help is there and make sure that he approached these people and please come to me if
you have any question as well. I'm just supposed to go to the directory for if somebody has question
on where it is because the information Fidelis just gave you, you can see there's a lot of information
and I've just posted where you can have the email addresses the phone numbers of all the staffs,
you know, just going looking directory can go to the school and you can find what everybody's doing.
Helen is an important part of this is the first year academic was advisor here point of contact, please
make sure that you do. Go and seek help from Helen again there are others will be able to help you.
The key point is there are many, many avenues of help. But you have to come and approach us if
you're having any difficulty because we will make sure that you will have a journey that's going to be
rewarding in every way.

I think Fidelis and I have been talking all along. I know we have to have been quite a few messages
back and forth in the chat box and you know we have been responding to some of those at this
point, before I hand this over to Don any student has any question or anything you want to ask,
please ask something, unmute yourself or raise your hand if you want us to call your name,
otherwise just unmute yourself. And this is a time for you to ask question please.

Any questions from anybody.

Mohammad Al Khafaji: Hi, how are you

Yes, Mnan. Please go ahead.

Mohammad Al Khafaji: I was just wondering about the lectures and they recorded

Fidelis: A Muhammad. We have different types of lectures. Right. I think it's good. Can I ask a
question? Why do you ask that question?

Mohammad Al Khafaji: I'll show, um, because like sometimes, you know, you might be not able to
get into specific lecture like for an appointment or something, it means so like if you have this
lecture and recorded. You might be able to review later on the largest reviews.

Fidelis: It's good to know. I don't know why you want the recorded lecture. Right. So, I'll give you the
answer. All my just said, because most of the, I mean the lectures are typically will be recorded as
long as they are conducted in the lecture theatres, because there are some lectures which may not
be conducting lecture theatres to do. They may not be recorded. But in general, the answer is yes.
The recorded lectures will record it, but they are not substitute of going and attending the classes is
not use recordings as substitute because that is one of the traps the students fall into. I'm sure that
you know all of my colleagues who are here, they will attest to what I just said. So not use recorded
said because you go and attend the lectures lecture go into lecture rooms are next semester. For
example, you may have to be online, like we're doing now in June right anyway but tutorials we are.
You know, we expect the students were attending all the tutorials lectures, while they're not
compulsory we encourage students to attend the lectures, because it's certainly not going to go in
and listen to the material that also is an avenue for you to interact with the students that's getting
the whole gamut of experience, the university experience. Make sure that you do not, you know, get
side-tracked from getting that experience. Alright, unless, somebody else wants to add anything on
that one. Don, you have experience on this. You want to add something.

Shayshab PAUL: Hi this is Shayshab, I would like to talk about allocation yesterday when I wanted to
look at myself in seven slots. There were five entry level and to were full. So, what could I do. I
mean, I could not understand how to allocate myself in those two spots. I will pass that to Fidelis
Fidelis: Shayshab, so you said they had some places which are available, but you can't enrol into
them.

Shayshab PAUL: Hmm, there were on allocation Plus, I was using it for registering tutorials and when
doing that, I could only select five slots amongst seven and two were unavailable to access

Fidelis: Yeah, so is it because the ones which are not suitable for you.

Helen Wu: Is it because the class if full?

Shayshab PAUL: Yeah

Helen Wu: Yeh, for some classes there any limited numbers of students.

Shayshab PAUL: There were showing like it was full, I cannot see like any duration for classes.

Donald Shearman: Mathematics tutorials and open at this stage until after the readiness test. If it, if
it was a maths unit that you're trying to enrol in.

Shayshab PAUL: Oh, I'm not sure about that. But when I was accessing it. I could only those five. I
mean, there were five allocated already.

Helen Wu: And I asked you which unit which subject?

Shayshab PAUL: Mechanical Engineering

Helen Wu: That's a fundamental mechanics.

Shayshab PAUL: Sorry

Surendra: Can I step in here, guys? Just, just for a second. Right. Looks like some of the questions are
really specific to some issues. So that may be something we can take outside of this discussion and
share. So, you got all those email addresses and if you go to universities web page, you can you can
have a look and go through that there could be multiple reasons. One is possibly like Don said maybe
the tutorial not was not open the second one, like Helen said that you know the classes full other
one could be that tutorial that particular system has not been opened. It could be multitude of
reasons; can we take that outside of this?

Shayshab PAUL: Us and we can go, Yeah, sure. Yes, here.

Surendra: Any other general questions anybody has before I know we are running about five
minutes behind on four minutes behind. So, any question. Any other questions.

Surendra: All right. If you don't have any question. I think I'd like to pass on to Dr. Donald Sherman,
he's going to talk about one of the really, really important aspect of the mathematics done up to,
you know,

Donald Shearman: Thanks, Surendra

Donald Shearman: Okay, so I'm here with two hats on today. One is the mathematics aspects. Well,
both of mathematics. One is the mathematics teaching and the other one is mathematics support.
So I'm going to talk to you about methods for engineers, which is a compulsory series of units in your
engineering degree mathematics, of course, is the language of engineering and it's something which
you need to understand well to be able to succeed in in all of your engineering studies. Now in
engineering maths for engineers here at the university has two entry points. One is the math for
engineer's preliminary unit, which is the standard entry point and then mathematics for engineers.
One is available for students who have advanced mathematics skills and by advanced. I mean,
students who've studied successfully generally Extension one or two maths. Taking the preliminary
unit, a lot of students think that this will extend their, study. It doesn't the preliminary unit if you
take the preliminary unit. Then you take one less elective unit later in your course. So it's, it's not a,
not a, not an addition to the to the study. And maths for engineer's preliminary is a unit which
revises a lot of algebra trigonometry theory of functions and then moves into introductory calculus
to prepare you for math for engineers one. So, I'm not sure which screen you're seeing is that the
second slide that's just come up somebody. Yes. Okay. Thank you. I've got a couple of screens here
and I'm not sure which ones showing so there are, if you believe that you have the advanced skills
for mathematics, which means that you have done at a minimum, the two-unit advanced maths
course with a grade five or better, or if you've done extension maths. Then you can take a readiness
test in order to move directly to bypass preliminary and moving to mastering engineers one.
Students who do this successfully then get an extra elective later and they unit a later and their
course. But as I said, it's, it's not something that you should be attempting if you don't already have
those skills, particularly in the in the situation that we're studying with courses online at the
moment, which makes them a little more difficult. That readiness test will be held this afternoon at
2pm and you should have received information about that already. Now, as I said, for the Bachelor
of Engineering science or the Bachelor of Engineering honours all students will be enrolled into
preliminary at the moment. If you've been accepted to the Bachelor of Engineering advanced
honours. Or if you're doing a double degree Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Business or there's
now a couple of other options as well. You will have been enrolled into math for engineers one. In
those cases, if you don't have strong math skills, you might be you'd be well advised to attempt the
readiness test and see if perhaps you should take the take the preliminary unit instead. Because
taking that math for engineers one when you're not ready for it will lead you to having to repeat the
unit generally. Because we have students who aren't prepared for do have to file at, you know, fairly
regularly. So the readiness test is a test of your background skills in mathematics. It's not a lot of
advanced calculus, it's, a lot of are questions on algebra on functions trigonometry. A variety of
other aspects of maths, as well as some calculus questions. It doesn't require us to study and in fact
we encourage you not to stared at study because we want to test your background knowledge. It
comprises 50 multiple choice questions which you have 50 minutes to complete. And as I said earlier
that the tests will be held today at 2pm you'll need to join the Zoom room that's on the screen now
that you would have received an email about. You'll also need to have access to the “Are you ready”
for 200237 math sites on VUWS. So if you're an enrolled student. If you're enrolled for engineering,
you should have that access already.

Jaysal Prasad: Yes, I'm just wondering if we do the math prelim one, do we still have to do the maths
1 afterwards.

Donald Shearman: Yes, you do. Everyone still has to do math one and then math to as well. So there
are basically there are three math units. If you have advanced math skills. You can bypass the first
one.

Donald Shearman: But it's only for students with advanced skills and as I say, I wouldn't encourage
you to take this test. If you don't have at least a level grade five in in advanced math. The two, you
know, advanced math or a good pass.

Karim Allam: So you would recommend just not even doing the test.

Donald Shearman: Would recommend not doing the test just doing the preliminary unit. If you've
done general maths or you haven't done maths in senior high school. There's absolutely no point
doing the test, you'll need to do the preliminary unit to get the calculus skills that you need for math
one

Surendra: Like Don said, see that typically students believe that if I go and do a higher level of
mathematics. You know, I'm better off, and I'll be able to progress faster and everything that's not
the case, time wise you don't take any extra time than what you otherwise would be doing if you do
the preliminary. If you don't do preliminary and if you're not ready for maths one, your goanna
you're actually only disadvantage in yourself in more than one way. So please make sure that you do
you know if you believe that that the tests are required do it otherwise maths preliminaries one is
the baseline done? Am I correct

Donald Shearman: Yeah, that's absolutely correct Surendra. As I say, unless you have a very
advanced math skill, very good calculus skills direct entry to maths one is, is not going to help you
because in the long runyou'll end up repeating the math units because you haven't understood the
material. And as I said, mathematics is the core of just about every other unit that you do in this
degree. So it's important that you have those skills very well embedded. The last thing about that.
You can use a calculator for the test today, otherwise it's closed book. I think that's about all I need
to say about it. Any other questions about the mathematics program or about today's test?

Surendra: Don there's a question somebody put in saying that I can’t attended the test because it
needs to work today.

Donald Shearman: Well, there will be one opportunity in the first week of lectures. But if you take up
that opportunity. You'll, you'll miss the first maths one if you if you are going to go ahead to math
one you'll miss the first maths one lecture and have to catch it up.

Karim Allam: If you enrolled in the in that test for today and you're not ready for it. Can you just
leave it and not doing it all?

Donald Shearman: You cannot do it at all. Yes, certainly. As I said, it's not something that we
encourage you to study for because we're just testing your mathematics background.

Surendra: Yeah. Can I say that again, Donald, this is an aptitude tests. Okay, so you should not need
to prepare for it. You know, either you have the skills that you don't have the skill. So, am I correct?

Donald Shearman: Yeah, that's exactly right.

Surendra: Just an aptitude test. So you don't need to prepare for this.

Donald Shearman: Katrina, when accessing the test, you join the zoom session and then the not the
math for engineers one unit. But this are you ready for math engineers one a has the testing that
that unit should appear in your VUWS sites.

Donald Shearman: Okay, if there are no more questions on that. I believe that everybody's been
emailed that zoom link. I'll also put it in the VUWS site. So if you don't have the link to the zoom
room, but you can get to the VUWS site you can, you'll be able to join the zoom session from VUWS
as well.

Donald Shearman: Now my second half is as the maths. Sorry, I'm just restarting another slideshow.

Donald Shearman: Like to share that one.

Donald Shearman: Is my other my other hat is as part of the MESH team, which is the mathematics
education support hub. So for any students who are using mathematics during the semester or
during your time at university, not just for Matthew notes, but for any unit that includes maths,
which means pretty much every Engineering Units MESH is here to provide you with Justin time help
you. In other words, help when you're having problems with your mathematics. So mesh is short for
math education support hub and as I say, that's our job is to support all undergraduate students with
their mathematic studies in whatever unit you happen to need help with for the moment, all of our
help is provided online generally through reVUWS sites and we can help you with mathematics with
statistics or with any basic numeracy problems that you may have. So if you need help to understand
specific unit specific maths things that might come up in mechanical or electrical engineering or your
math units. We run specific workshops for preparation for class tests and exams for the mass units.
And we can also provide you with some resources and help if there are some expected assume
knowledge in mathematics for the units that you're taking that you maybe need to brush up on, this
is the MESH team where well normally we're spread across three campuses, but during this online
session, you'll likely to see any of us. At the various activities that we run, as I said, we're online.
We're friendly group, but we certainly try to be we're all experienced mass educators and all of this
is provided for you by the university for free.

Donald Shearman: But as I think Surendra or somebody mentioned earlier, you need to come and
talk to us if you need the support we can follow up every student. So if you're having problems come
and see us and the ways that you can see us. We have, we have a website which lists all of the
activities that we undertake. And that's as you can see at the bottom of the screen there Western
Sydney, forward slash MESH and if you then click on the events workshops and programs list you will
be brought up to a screen that looks a little like this, each of these sections. If you click on them,
expand to give you more details about the various resources and workshops that we have one of our
major units. Well, normally, face to face, but this semester will be via zoom. So rather than a library
location, the MESH team. Providing math and stats support will be zoom rooms. Each day, usually
from about 10am till 4pm and that information and the links to the zoom sessions will be on that
events page. Those are free dropping session. So you can come to any session drop in and ask your
question, bring along the problem that you're having difficulty with. The only thing that's that we
can't help you with, there are assessment problems, but we can help you with the underlying
concepts mathematical concepts. We also run MESH workshops. Again, Lisa. Normally, face to face,
but this semester will be run via zoom. These are run for specific math units for maths engineer’s
preliminary. There are two workshops before each class test as well as a workshop before the final
exam and that also holds a math one and math to again information for those you'll find on the
website and they'll be put by your unit coordinators through the individual VUWS sites.

Surendra: Again, Don, if I may interrupt. This is similar to what Fidelis it's not really. I mean it is along
the same you know principle of pass that Fidelis was mentioning early on. Okay, this is this is
specifically targeted for mathematics, but similar to pass this is the same principle.

Donald Shearman: The one difference. I guess between us and PASS is that PASS is facilitated by
students and students who can help you to provide study groups. The MESH team are experienced
mass educators. So, we're across all of the math programs and can help you with understanding
some of the math concepts, if there's something that you didn't quite get in the lecture or the
tutorial. We do run a bridging program at the start of the year and the materials for that are also
available in a VUWS site called math start bridging program. Or math start bridging workshops which
should also appear in your list of VUWS sites. So if you need to reVUWS algebra trigonometry
calculus. There's a lot of resources there that you can use for self-study online. We also have another
VUWS site, which you should have access to called improve your maths, which has a lot of general
math resources. Inside improve your maths is a discussion forum called. I don't get it. Now this is a
bit like library, the math and stats help, but it's available 24 seven, you can post a question there.

Donald Shearman: If you have attempted a problem and you're getting stuck post the problem and
how much you have managed to work through and then let us know and we can get back to you.
One of the math team will get back to you within one business day to help you progress with those
problems. And finally, I guess the question of does this work well. This is particularly looking at our
workshops, this graph looks at students who attend workshops and don't attend workshops. So on
the left hand side of this graph you'll see the average marks for students taking any math unit any
first year math unit in the university, depending on their math background. So the red line there is
for students who haven't done maths as an HSA unit. And you can see that if that if those students
don't attempt a dunk come to any of our workshops, the average mark is a little over 55 it's actually
lower than that for the Engineering Units. But you can see that students who attend workshops
show quite a marked improvement. So students with no math background, if they make use of all of
our workshops actually end up performing as well or better than students who've done the two-unit
advanced math course in general. So attending MESH getting involved with the workshops is
something that can certainly help you by getting engaged, you can help yourself to improve your
results. So I'm happy to take any questions if there's any of those now.

Surendra: Thanks, Don for that, really, you know, very helpful presentation, I'm sure the students
will benefit from that the key message again. Seek help seek assistance, make sure that you ask
questions, the more the questions, the merrier. Again, I'm aware that we are running a little bit
behind. So, if you have allowed one or two questions if you have any otherwise, I'll pass this on to
leave here. Any questions anybody has any questions, again, you know, Don has given those
message details the contact details. Any questions. All right. Okay. I just say

Donald Shearman: I just got one here from Katrina, who hasn't received an email about the
readiness test that probably means you're not fully enrolled in the unit yet. As I said, the test will be
available once in week one. So, if you don't have that taste in VUWS of you as of yet. You'll need to
take it in week one. Unfortunately, we can't run a paper-based test today because we're online.

Surendra: All right, thanks for that Don. Okay, without any ado, can I pass it on to Assoc. Prof. Olivia
Mirza, she is our Associate Dean Engagement or with, you know, tons of knowledge and experience
and she's going to talk about a couple of very dear to her heart and our heart so Olivia.

Olivia Mirza: Okay, thank you. Surendra for letting me to present as for my site. I'm going to present
to you and we have a professional if you're in an engineering. So we have a professional audio
Engineers Australia and we are lucky enough in our Western Sydney University we have a very active
group called Western Sydney regional group; we have heard of Engineers Australia. I'm going to tell
you what we do and how you can be part of it. If you, if you are interested. Then also, I'm going to
talk about our one of our group call women of wisdom and that that we have in our school that is to
help the first-year female students gets out who I am like to mentor you to have a career advisor. If
you have problem. We can help you in any way we can. So, so before I continue, I would like to
acknowledge as well. The traditional owners of the land the Darug, Eora, Dharawal (also referred to
as Tharawal) and Wiradjuri peoples and thanks them for their support of its work in their lands in
Greater Western Sydney and beyond. Now before I move on to the activity. I want to show you a
little bit of video of what is engineered Australia.

Yep. So this is what Engineers Australia about so I'm a little bit about ourselves, my life as I told you,
we are very, very active for Western Sydney regional group. So I like call ourselves Engineers
Australia Western Sydney region group when we have had of Engineers Australia in Sydney divisions.
So what are the people who are involved. There are people from in are working in the industry there
are multidisciplinary so they would be engineers for structures Evo mechanical engineering electrical
even environment. So there are few environmental engineer there. So what do we do, basically,
what we do is that we organize site visit technical presentation seminar for those who are once
you've completed your degree and then you want to work in the industry. Recently, the government
already pulled out a law that in order to practice become a designer professional engineer unique to
have your chapter professional enhance. So, therefore, this is this workshop is very important
because page workshop which is chapter professional engineering workshop. This is our one of our
group, so. As you can see I will go engineers from the senior level people right these are all the
senior engineer who are working in the industry a lot. For the media to a very young engineer. These
are some of our i will you need to the who are currently working as a graduate, but you are very
active in this in this community. So what if you're interested. We are. We have our company meeting
every second Monday of the month from six to 7pm so Before that we use for meeting in Paris
campus. And then for those who are interested, I want to go to our motto, we actually, we usually
do Zoom meeting true parameter, but most of us making Paris, however you discovered situations
for all of us anything to the zoom as own facility. So for those who are interested, you can contact
me and because now we are going to office so I prefer you to email me. Say you're interested in, and
I can put you put you in part of the committee, and then you can see what we are doing. And so just
let me explain some of the event that we have undertaken to the year So I'm not sure how many of
you know these were not wrestling so easy. So we had to be organized a few site before the
construction during the construction after the construction as you can see there are limited people
that can only go inside the same into the organization actually shoe. So normally this event is first
come first serve. And then Bigger because you are part of the Western Sydney. This is for them and
then you are a student and if you are a member for Energy Australia, all these events are free. So,
and then this is Ross you centre is older, as we all know, Ross essentially just completed a couple
years ago, and we also had the opportunity to visit all these are site visit before after entering the
constructions. And then we in our engineers are our group. We also have a young engineer, a young
student representative. So what we do is that we actually are. Organized even with your engineer
Australia's divisions to look at, like, you know, sometimes we do like how to write a CV, how to do
interviews. And then this particular event is like the transition. They were your fourth year you finish
off here you go to work. They actually explain to you how you transition from for Student Life to
working like and then for those who are in a king. So campus. As you can see, at least the library. The
library. This is a couple years ago. And then we actually had opportunity to go on your site look at
look at the construction movie for the construction site and then go to our surprise, the project
manager is one of our school and the design engineer is also one of our students who study civil
engineering and as I said, how you chatted professional engineer. Every year we actually organized
travel professional engineer workshop twice a year, one in Paris and wanting Parramatta, but
because of the current situation, there's no more. No, no, no. Normal, normal face to face. So we are
going trick to webinar and he's very fruitful. I think like every week we have one way for professional
engineer. And as I said, for you and this is also local. So we also had opportunity to visit work and by
then. So we plan to do every two years, or once that we revisit the where I cover them. The reason is
because it's local and then what we do is I'd normally the people are the people who are in charge,
they actually do a technical presentation to tell you what's the problem are their face and how did
you solve the problem and then followed by assignee so it's very, very interesting. And we also went
to also visit to one of our science building. In a way, I'd rather Maya. So during the construction, we
also go and look at the mechanical side and the structures site point of VUWS on how what they're
doing. And I think everybody know Western Sydney airport is currently happening. So we actually
add the very big forums to discuss about these are Western Sydney airport in very quick. So we have
around 300 people attended include both including her students and other people who are involved
and why you are encouraged attendees how event. For the student who attended that event is
currently actually working. I know with us in here for a moment because they're there. They met the
people at the company who are involved in this event and then they're causing the leader to have an
inclusive and shop for them. And then west connect. Everybody always connect officially which was
kind of one of the West, and I am at least finishing. So yeah, we actually should be also to visit inside
the tunnel to look at how they how they VUWS the West connect and then this is this is the globe
and as you can see, because of the origin issue is also limited resource offers confessor is very like
you know well received and then we have to organize to actually to visit to accompany older people
who are registered for this. Event and we also will also tell you to lie, lie. We also carry out for you
to assign this is Australia defence engineering museum is to look at how us like my, you know, you
have the opportunity. Once you finish this. The engineering cost, you actually can join the Australian
our defence department and then you can actually see what they are, how, how, aging, you're
actually helping Australia. On the Defence Department, they actually go through the doors on an end
to reveal a hospital and religious when he's been destroyed by Vader. During the war, so, so he's
very, very interesting. And everybody who are secret that the parameter you know that the light rail
is currently on constructions. We also are working well with these are This company they are
organizing events like events to talk to talk about, like, what is the progress of the light rail the
parameter and coincidentally, a lot of our students are currently working in this project engineers
from either the metro elected a train the light rail and under construction. So also, they are a lot of
your, your senior who are currently working on this project. Um, well, this one for those who are
interested in either aeroplane and mechanical. We actually visited the Royal Australian Air Force
integration and base. It was very, very good event. It took us half a day or visit go there to look at
look at what they're doing and stuff. I myself. Actually, I had the opportunity to go into the Hercules.
I always wanted to look at what's inside the Hercules. Yeah. So, so it was very, very interesting to see
what, how, what they do inside and then maybe embraces something more local in Paris. So
recently, there is a footbridge which are very like controversy and quite famous as well that this big
bridge has been building parasite. So we actually are organized. I think tree events to look at Look at
these are during the construction, we actually can see what are they doing what tell structure,
they're doing Because these was like there's a lot of people interested in there. We also need to
organize a couple of events to accommodate all the people who are interested to come to this
event. And for those who will be in Parramatta, as you all know Parramatta wonky SQ. You say one
PSU they are Building another building a high rise building parameters way. So we actually have the
nice technical presentation and SIPC we actually, we actually had the opportunity to go up there to
the building and to see the advanced technology that they used to build this building. It was very,
very interesting. We actually plan for another visit easier. However, do for these college. I think we
have to pass on. These are the sacristy during COVID 19 nothing stopping us from doing event. So,
we, actually do an organizer panel discussion event. So, what we do is that we invited like for panel
to discuss. You know, like, because they are initially during this event. During this combination. A lot
of people will answer them with your future likes to them like you doesn't know what the future is
lies ahead. So we actually invited for the speaker and then they actually give us a very positive
feedback saying like, you know, covered it hasn't affected the construction in Australia, they still talk
about to look forward to and you will still have opportunity and we have our choir attendees that we
have at the tricky part attended this event. So is a very good event. And then now I'm going to talk
to you within our women or Western. So this is our part of the part of our staff who are who We
actually formed these this group. Why do we want to form? This could be because we want to help
the first year female students in the, you know, like nice career advice and mentoring, as we know,
when you are as a female way our first year you enter is mostly like 90% okay say men. So something
you feel anything letters or group of us, which are Helen is here. She's, she's also part of women of
wisdom. So we actually, you know, try to have you to make you, you know, to, to make you feel at
home. So this is our original group. Initially it was a very small group and then and then after he
started two years. We actually have our own team members. So what we do different this year is
that we actually invited, a few industry partner, like a few of the industry people who are currently
our alumni and graduate. So to join him. I will because we want to look at what are What are you
know what the industry needs and what are the what do we need so we can collaborate together.
Just for your information for the first year student who are interested in mentoring. We are meant
to organize a mentoring program. And so we are going to reach out to you all. I don't know how
many we are female are in here. We are going to reach out to you to sign up for the mentoring
program and then we give them. We will see who suitable to mentor you we have to ask our alumni
to mentor you and some of the event we organized this I will invite a guest speaker to talk about
their life itself is an engineer and I see the good, the bad and The event of there being engineered as
well and it also have, you know, like to introduce the first-year student at the final year to the
possibilities to them. This is just a social event. And then we also organize a movie that you then. So,
what is it, featuring the heater figure I think everybody know this movie is featuring that how
women engineer contributes to the engineering world? So, so that is what we do. And then we also
organize events such as like we invite the light, you know, five female engineer who are either
different level to live from junior level to a senior level to talk about their life, their what elements
and your family life and how they call it was very, very good. As you can see we have a big
attendance as well. And then one of the events that we are where we are very, very famous. This is
ours. This is organized by women in engineering and Sydney, Australia. What we do is like we do
have a networking event what we believe that we invited like you see this much of the industry
people to come and talk to you. So what we do is very fast. Speed. Speed. Speed dating bi weekly
speed networking. So, every five minutes, you have to change to talk to other people so that at the
end of the of the event you can you sort of know you know like what power company you want to
work with you want to go big companies, small companies inside company. So those company that
people are coming back very, very famous I like famous company who are in tier one, tier two
engineers from tier one, tier two companies or so he's very, very well. Every, every time we have this
event. Those around 100 hundred 50 for then attended this event. And then what are we as a
school of engineering will also like try to as a woman, we also try to encourage women to go to
come to study. Engineering. So, we are actually collaborating with women in engineering, go to for
this event every year we have to event we go around. We actually involved in like we folder. The
High School in new cell phone to encourage her to let them see how what is engineering about. So it
is quite experienced some of you in a high score for our we move your mind who you might have
undertaken this this program. And then recently we read, we also had an icebreaker event where we
invite one of our graduates. She just graduated this year to talk about her life her graduate position
as bad. So we invited a first year student who may join us. So now as I told you from all these, um, it
is very important to join NTT Australia. So my question your question will be, can see me. Can I
afford it. Yes, you can. It's free. So, what you get from point A fall from joining engineer Australia is
you get was a call magazine every month and then you get you get out there on the old event that
we have the engineer Australia has organized like everywhere within yourself though region and I
for you is everything is free, so why not you just join it, and then be part of it. As I told you during
your, your university life. Networking is very important, especially when you're when you're trying to
find an internship at South by having an early networking, you will you will get you out how you your
you find your job. Very easy. For those who are interested in joining k Are you can just go to this on
this link and it straight away pay you for them. So the membership. All you need for filling out a form
we feel arguing your student ID is often and they will give it to you in a couple weeks' time That's the
end of my presentation. If there's any question.

Surendra: Thank you. Olivia that you know the message that's coming in, again and again is the
networking opportunity that provides you so you all know that before you graduate you need to be
completing industry experience. And this networking is really an important Avenue, through which
you can actually get that industry experience. So I'll encourage everybody to really think along. What
will you have to suggested, make sure that your networking happens and Olivia is always available
she will usually you send an email at midnight. And so we respond to you by 12:30 so this is always
available to you. I'm not encouraging you to send the email at that time, but thank you Olivia. I think
there is a mindful of the time is only about five minutes before I this hand is your hand this over to
Fidelis to wrap up, I do want to thank to people. I did not think at the beginning is Georgia and
Events they actually are the people who put this program together. So, a big thank you to both of
you for getting this program and I'm putting this program together on from the school as well as all
the stall the incoming students. Before I hand this over to Fidelis any question from any other
students. I can see there are a few chats I've seen on the chat box. Also, this video will be available. I
think Georgia will pass post you post the link to the video where he can actually download this video
from on the chat. Later, I think she might have already done, but she will put that put that oxy just
put that on there now. So you can see and this video of this recording will be available from there.

All right. Any question. Anybody are please. This is your time to ask. We have about four minutes by
hand this over to Fidelis in a minute.

Mohammad Al Khafaji: It is like a specific portal for like engineering students to access resources on?

Surendra: Sorry, Muhammad. Can you repeat the question?

Mohammad Al Khafaji: Again, is there like a specific student portal for general excellence in Western
Sydney University or student portal?

Surendra: I think we do have by Helen; we do have a first-year engineering side through with us
again at East Bay. This available. There's also I think there's a Western life there is one that's
available. This is for all of all the students in Western Sydney. So there are various avenues available
Muhammad and as you come and you know within the first week or two, you, you will find your way
around that would be quite useful for you.

Mohammad Al Khafaji: So it isn't like a club sorry.

Surendra: Yeah, yeah. There are multiple, multiple clubs.

Surendra: So are there any other any other any other questions, so

Helen Wu: Hey, can you please put that link engineer Australia or student the membership.

Surendra: Can I ask. I know that Jamal and Ming are here as well but haven't said anything you want
to add anything, meaning Jamal please.

Jamal Rizk: Was one question from I think what I'm a Jaffa Mohammed some about the learning
guide and the unit outlines the learning guides will be available very soon on each unit and if there is
any question related to video and then guide or the unit outlines, you can ask the election or you can
email the unit coordinate

Mohammad Al Khafaji: All right, thanks for that.

Surendra: Thank you all for attending the orientation session I think normally this is the most exciting
time for us to meet all of you for the, for the first time. Unfortunately, this time, I can see you face to
face, but we hope that's going to happen. Hopefully, very soon. And always feel free to reach out to
us. So to the director of academic programs. You can also reach out to Helen, who is here, who is
the First Year coordinator and also our Associate Dean learning and teaching Professor Surendra. As I
said before, for the different key programs you also have all the academic course advisors who we
listed before. So if you want to talk about any recognition of prior learning to make sure that you
circle nice and do enjoy into the right unit, please feel free to reach out to your academic advisors.
So, we, we look forward to seeing you may be mostly online this this semester and we wish you all
the best for this semester and also for the rest of your academic studies here at Western Sydney.