News bites

Ming Wing redevelopment commences

The first sod has been turned to mark the beginning of a $75 million redevelopment of the Menzies Building at Clayton campus.

The iconic building is undergoing a facelift, with stage one of the project to include the installation of new lifts, stairs and services, the removal of the existing escalators and upgrade of the ground floor foyer.

Stage two of the development will include the development of state-of-the-art teaching spaces and contemporary office environments.

Details of the hoarding plan and changes to people and vehicle traffic in the precinct are on the project website.

National recognition for customer service

Monash Sport has been awarded the national Customer Service Institute of Australia's 2009 Not-for Profit Australian Service Excellence Award for its commitment to exceptional customer service.

"We are obviously extremely proud to be acknowledged because delivering outstanding customer service has been a simple aim and a part of our culture from day one," Monash Sport site leader Brett Lavale said.

"Our front line staff are central to delivering this service experienced by more than 1.8 million customers annually and to receive this recognition in front of large national organisations such as Telstra, Virgin Blue and Vodaphone is very humbling."

MBA best in world

The Monash University Master of Business Administration (MBA) was placed first in the world in the category "personal development and educational experience" in The Economist's 2009 MBA rankings.

Overall the course was ranked 59 in the world, fifth in the Asia-Pacific region and third in Australia.

In the recent AFR Boss Magazine ranking the Monash MBA came in at the number two with strong all-rounder status.

Director of the Monash MBA program Associate Professor Peter Reed said both surveys confirmed the Monash MBA as one of the top MBA programs in Australia.

Students support bush fire communities

A group of first year physiotherapy and occupational therapy students from Peninsula campus recently spent three days in Gippsland participating in a bushfire workshop to advance their knowledge and awareness of how communities respond to disaster.

They were given insights from the CFA, Red Cross, DHS, local government and the local community, hearing first-hand about the struggles of community members trying to rebuild their properties and their lives.

On the second day, students volunteered with communities in Labertouche, Callignee and Boolarra, helping clean a large multi-purpose hall at Boolarra Primary School, tidy up fallen trees and branches at properties, and re-build a cattle pen.

Gippsland hosts film festival

Gippsland Primary School students have been learning more about science at the Monash Gippsland campus, visiting the campus to see the CSIRO-sponsored travelling film festival SCINEMA.

SCINEMA is a component of the CSIRO Scientist in Schools project, designed to inform and influence school students about the value and relevance of science to industry, communities and society.

Gippsland PhD student Michael Barbagallo - and the Scientist in School - at Churchill North Primary School said the program aimed to promote science education to younger students.

"To experience their enthusiastic response to our work is very gratifying," he said.