Engineering global leaders

An enthusiastic volunteer

Dr Peter Rogers is determined to encourage other early Monash students, who are on the cusp of retirement, to get involved with the University once again.

The Monash University volunteer, alumnus and donor says: “I was in the first intake of students to Monash in 1961 and I can still remember the opening ceremony!

"A lot of us have done well and are in a position to get involved by opening doors which can lead to relationship building for the University, vacation opportunities and mentoring for students, and of course, donations or pledges.”

“For me there was a long period when I didn’t have a direct involvement with Monash but I always felt affection for it.”

Peter started volunteering with the University after meeting a former Monash Vice-Chancellor and Chair of the Engineering Foundation.

“Through an alumni event I met Peter Darvall and he asked me to get involved. It was the right time for me. By this stage in my life and career I had the capacity and the interest.”

Now Chair of the Engineering Foundation, Peter is full of enthusiasm for the Faculty of Engineering Leadership Program.

Since 2007 the program has enabled high achieving students to learn about themselves and about how to become leaders in the wider world. The program is now Peter’s top fundraising priority.

“Monash has given, and continues to give, its students a very unique international and cross disciplinary experience,” he says.

“Monash Engineering programs are designed to prepare the engineering leaders of the future".

Peters draws great satisfaction from volunteering because he says it completes a circle: “Volunteering is about fitting the pieces together – using my experience and my international contacts and bringing connections to the University and in turn, bringing good graduates and students to the corporate sector. We need each other.”

A generous supporter

Gratitude for the opportunities afforded him as a young student from the country has led Clive Weeks to support Monash University.

In January this year, when Clive retired, he gave generously to the Faculty of Engineering’s Leadership Program.

A member of the Engineering Foundation, Clive has also agreed to give an annual amount to fund a country student’s participation in the program each year.

“The leadership program has the ability to differentiate Monash Engineering from other courses. It brings skills to engineering students that they would not necessarily otherwise obtain – skills such as an understanding of leadership, marketing, negotiation skills and the softer people skills.

"It’s very competitive out there and anything that gives students an edge will stand them in good stead. I really believe in the leadership program,” says Clive.

“It seems there has been a decrease in engineers that become CEOs and senior managers. The leadership program is one way we can help bring engineers to the forefront again.”

A former Chairman, CEO and Director of engineering firm GHD Pty Ltd, Clive says: “As I approached retirement I felt I wanted to help Monash because Monash had helped me a lot in terms of my education.

"I came to Monash from the country (Elmore, Northern Victoria) with an engineering diploma and completed an engineering degree in 1969 and then a Masters of Engineering in 1972.

"I was on a Commonwealth Scholarship which were offered to good, not necessarily brilliant students. The opportunities I had then were part of my motivation for giving now.”

Eighteen months after finishing his studies, Clive joined GHD Pty Ltd and remained with the company for 37 years.

“I was fortunate to have a strong career with them,” says Clive. During this time he “reconnected with Monash Engineering when my second son, Marcus, studied civil engineering and by giving a few guest lectures.”

He was awarded Civil Engineering Alumnus of the Year in 2004.

Two years later he joined the Engineering Foundation and has been a member during the establishment of the leadership program.

His focus is now on fundraising with other members. “Everyone can help in some way. We all have something to give.”