School Welcome 2023
Professor Lisa Keay, Head of School of Optometry and Vision Science welcomed new students enrolled in the Bachelor of Vision Science and Master of Clinical Optometry program during O-Week on the 8 February 2023 at the Physics Theatre.
Later that day new students were given the opportunity to explore the School and UNSW’s facilities led by the SOVS Peer Mentoring group. The School Welcome event concluded with a BBQ which was run by the Optometry and Vision Science Students Society and Young Optometrists. Holding the annual BBQ at the conclusion of the School welcome, encourages new students to mingle with their new cohort, senior students, and staff members in a relaxed environment.
Events for Future Students
Vision Science & Optometry Experience Day Workshop
On Tuesday, 18 April 2023, Associate Professor Michele Madigan and two PhD students volunteered for the Year 10 and 11 Experience Day Workshop. The workshop titled What can ‘Eye’ Do? created meaningful connections to the University, specific subject areas, and the community for students nearing their final years of high school. The workshop was delivered as hands on which included practical activities. There were 52 students registered for the event.
Open Day
The annual UNSW Open Day was held on the 2nd of September 2023. The School of Optometry & Vision Science participated in a range of activities and held a stall The School conducted an Optometry Clinic tour, Optometry pre-clinic lab – live eye demonstration and delivered lectures. We had 620+ future students attend the Optometry & Vision Science Lectures and 100+ attended the live eye demonstration. The School of Optometry & Vision Science are proud to have received an incredible response from potential future students at Open Day
Optometry Giving Sight Society
This year, Giving Sight Society held five events to contribute to the cause of raising awareness of Worldwide preventable blindness Their events garnered great interest from students and staff at UNSW, ranging from organizing Barbecue giveaways to ramen, hot chocolate and bake sales during the cold winter season. They also held multiple raffles with prizes kindly donated by Body Buddies and Oscar Wylee. Through all these events they created many wholesome and rewarding memories with their members along with those they interacted with. They are proud to say that all the fundraised money will proceed to helping many people access eye care around the world.
Student Wellbeing and Action Group activities
The aim of the Student Wellbeing and Action Group (S.W.A.G.) is to promote key focus areas including the mental health and wellbeing of students, building communities and successful transitions.
The SOVS S.W.A.G team held a Picnic Day on the 9th of June with range of activities from playing frisbee, meditation, colour and tea with me, board games and
drinks and nibbles.
On the 22 September 2023 the SOVS S.W.A.G team held their Sports Day activity at Village Green which aimed at getting students and staff together for some social interactions and sports.
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) program for Bachelor of Vision Science
During 2023, Bachelor of Vision Science students in their second and third years of studies had the option to apply for opportunities to gain work experience in the vision science and ophthalmic industry. UNSW School of Optometry & Vision Science had a great response from students.
This year we were delighted to offer 11 places to our third years with various organisations including Zeiss, EssilorLuxottica, The Fred Hollows Foundation, Brien Holden Foundation and the Macular Disease Foundation Australia.
We look forward to engaging more industry partners so we can offer more places to our second- and third-year students. If you are an UNSW alumnus and work for an organisation that you think would be interested in having UNSW Vision Science students undertake placements with your organisation, please reach out to Dr Vinod Maseedupally: vinodm@unsw.edu.au
Below are the photos taken by the Bachelor of Vision Science students on their work placements at Zeiss.
Ms Michelle Wanandy, Teaching Support Officer
Dr Vinod Maseedupally, Undergraduate Coordinator