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Monash Postgraduate Association Inc.

The Monash Postgraduate Association Inc. (MPA) is the representative body for all research and coursework postgraduate students enrolled through Monash University's Victorian campuses.

The MPA serves the interests and welfare of postgraduates by directing its activities and projects towards their specific needs. The association represents postgraduates both collectively and individually, providing a recognised means of communication between the postgraduate body and the academic and administrative bodies of the University. This includes an advocacy role where necessary.

The MPA negotiates on behalf of members to initiate projects and carries out research of ongoing benefit to them, eg the Monash Silver Jubilee Postgraduate Scholarship, the Travel Grants for Postgraduates, the supervision guidelines in the Doctoral Information Handbook, the Women in Research Higher Degrees Project, and the Victorian and national postgraduate coursework projects. The MPA works cooperatively on projects with other bodies interested in postgraduate education, especially CAPA, the national postgraduate representative body.

The association ensures that there is postgraduate representation on all the University's governing bodies and committees relevant to the interests of postgraduates. The needs of particular sections of the postgraduate population are taken into account when planning the association's activities, eg international, part-time, female or coursework postgraduates.

The MPA organises seminars and workshops on topics of relevance to postgraduate education as well as social functions which bring together postgraduates from the many different disciplines within the University.

The association also keeps the postgraduate community informed of current events via the MPA email news, to which postgraduates can subscribe.

The MPA produces `The MPA Guide to Postgraduate Programs' each semester which lists all the postgraduate events, social and academic support seminars held on each Victorian campus. This publication is mailed to all postgraduates on these campuses. A number of other publications are also produced including `The MPA Guide to Postgraduate Facilities and Services' and `Compass Online' a web-based magazine, written by postgraduates for postgraduates.

A committee of up to 15 postgraduates is elected in the first semester of each academic year. The committee meets monthly, except in January. The association has staff members who carry out its business, including one who looks after the specific needs of postgraduate students located off-campus in various laboratories and hospitals.

The committee, in consultation with the executive officer, develops policy and establishes a set of primary projects for each year. These projects are carried out by the staff of the association in general, however committee members who wish to contribute to a particular project have the opportunity to do so; sub-committees are formed when necessary. Individual postgraduates or groups are able to raise issues by contacting the association's office or by approaching committee members.

Office locations

The MPA's central office is located in Room 1-51, first floor, Campus Centre, Clayton campus, and is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. The MPA's Caulfield office is located in room HB33, basement level, building H. The Caulfield office is open all day Tuesday and Wednesday and from 2 pm to 5 pm on Thursdays within semester. Staff are available at both offices during opening times to give confidential assistance with your inquiries. Postgraduates are encouraged to call in to the office to meet the staff and to learn more about their association.

Further information