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Home>Australia>Students>Policies & Procedures>Convocation Policy
Convocation Policy
Policy
Convocation is a bi-monthly forum that assembles the members of the Heinz College including students, staff and faculty to discuss and learn about a variety of issues across IT and PPM and other industry ‘hot’ topics. Sessions feature guest speakers, including those who lead organisations, analyse and develop policy as well as those who innovate in non-traditional ways. Convocations introduce students to faculty and provide insight on specific domain areas.
Convocations are inspiring, motivating and open students’ thoughts to new ideas and areas. They provide an opportunity to network and make a connection with people, learn from professionals in the field and expand your horizons. Convocations complement normal study enabling students to learn more about their passion.
It is believed that the Heinz College students are ambitious, driven and aspire to assume senior leadership positions in governments, corporations, NGOs, and related organisations intent on making an impact on the world. While coursework, interactions with other students and faculty, and the experience of living in Australia all contribute to a rich and important learning experience, convocations fill in critical gaps. It is an opportunity for students to not only learn from the experiences of senior leaders but to interact with them directly on a peer-to-peer basis and better understand the challenges and opportunities that confront leaders in the “real world”. Convocation speakers can address personal growth issues which translate into professional effectiveness in the future.
Convocations are an integral part of the Heinz College programs but do not have grades or assignments. Six convocations are scheduled annually and the attendance is monitored. Full-time students must attend at least five out of six convocations in order to pass. Part-time students must attend five convocations over the period of their studies.
The College offers a number of opportunities to students to attend various other events to which guest speakers are invited. These are often scheduled around the availability of visiting dignitaries such as diplomats, CEO’s, employers, etc. Some of those events may be considered as ‘alternative convocations’ and students can attend two ‘alternative convocations’ that will be counted towards one compulsory convocation attendance. If an event is deemed to be an ‘alternative convocation’ it will be mentioned in the email notice and an attendance sheet will be made available at the event.
Note: The Heinz College Australia Convocation policy has been suitably adapted from the Heinz College Pittsburgh practice.
Procedure
1. Convocation Structure:
1.1Frequency: Six convocations per year, commencing February and concluding November. Tentative dates are included in the official and provisional academic calendar. Times and speakers are confirmed closer to the event.
1.2Requirement: Each full-time student of studies will be required to attend at least five convocations during their course of study, regardless of the program they are undertaking. Part-time students will be required to attend at least five convocations over the period of their studies.
1.2.1 Students will be allowed to attend ‘alternative convocations’ to help meet this requirement. However, two alternative convocations will be counted for one actual convocation attendance. Events that could be attended as an ‘alternative convocation’ will be announced.
1.2.2 To allow for more transparency, attendance for convocation will be tracked on Blackboard so that students are able to see where they stand at all times.
1.3Day and Time: Academic calendar will indicate tentative dates for convocations. Lunch times will be targeted to assist part-time student participation. Speakers will be allocated 40 minutes for presentation and 20 minutes for Q&A to ensure sufficient time for student participation. A light lunch will be provided to allow students, faculty, and the speaker to engage in continued discussions about the topic and foster networking.
1.4Venue and Communication: Convocations are normally held on campus for convenience to the Heinz College community. Emails and signs will be used to remind students of convocations time, topic and the speaker. Personal Assistant to the Executive Director of the College will be managing the communication.
2. Accountability for Professionalism and Reputation:
2.1Student Representative Committee or their subcommittee will assist with convocations. The committee will nominate two students to manage each convocation. The first would be responsible for greeting the speaker, introducing the speaker to the audience and facilitating the Q&A. The second student would be responsible for monitoring students’ attendance, timely and professional behavior and attire. The complete attendance sheet will be passed to the Program and Faculty Administrative Officer at the end of each convocation.
2.2It is paramount that students and other attendees show their professionalism during such events by arriving at the venue on time, signing up their attendance, wearing appropriate attire and participating in the discussion.
3. Student Input for Topics and Selection of Speakers:
3.1At the beginning of each year, Student Representative Committee or their subcommittee will assist with planning the convocation topics and potential speakers. Executive Director of the College with support of the Director of Business Operations will facilitate this process and engage staff and faculty when needed. The topics covered should have broad appeal and discuss controversial issues and current affairs to spark student dialogue.
3.2Presentations content is expected to be controversial and interactive, spur dialogue, cover hot issues, the political processes and current events.
3.3Presentations content should not be a presentation on a research study and/or research findings, rely on the College professors or be propaganda or a recruitment event.