Official Opening of the New Postgraduate Lounge at Clayton

The new postgrad lounge at Clayton is a great place to meet fellow postgraduates – especially when there is an official opening party in progress.

The new postgrad lounge at Clayton is also a great place to get some quiet study done, but perhaps not when there is an official opening party in progress.

The GSB students could but only smile ruefully at the irony. They’d elected to travel to the new postgrad lounge at Clayton in search of some quiet study face, totally unaware that the official opening party, complete with live music, was due to start at 4pm.

Sometimes it’s a case of ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’, and a number of the students agreed that some ‘time out’ (particularly one involving free food and drinks) was a worthwhile diversion. Others, perhaps with more pressing deadlines, were given space in the MPA office, which empty of staff, was truly ‘quiet’.

Back at the lounge, the party was in full swing, the mood set by a great jazz duo from the School of Music. There was plenty of delicious finger food being circulated around the crowd and there were a variety of beverages available to wash it all down with.

The formal part of the celebration saw speeches by the MPA President, GSB student Ms Tsedon Dorji, and the VP Administration, Mr Peter Marshall. Ms Dorji made a point of thanking the architect, Adel Mousa, for the wonderful job he did in creating such a bright space for postgrads. For his part, Mr Marshall spoke of the lobbying skills and sheer tenacity of the MPA, noting they were a difficult group to say ‘no’ to. He went on to promise a refurbishment of the kitchenette later on in the year, at which point. MPA staffers started taking notes!

For the traditional cutting of the ribbon, Mr Marshall and Professor Max King (PVC Research & Research Training) cheerfully aided Ms Dorji by holding the ribbon while she performed the duty of cutting the ribbon and declaring the facility “officially open”.

The new lounge is a 24 hour first-class facility equipped with wireless connection, three small meeting rooms, workbench, a large lounge area and a kitchenette with kettle and microwave.

Postgraduates across all Monash campuses can register for access at http://www.its.monash.edu.au/students/labs/swipe/

You can see more pictures of the event at http://mpa.monash.edu.au/Gallery-lounge-opening/index.htm

MPA Compass Online and Podcast

The June/July issue of Compass Online has now been launched with articles on a range of topics pertinent to postgrads. Ourpodcast this issue will be of particular interest to research students and we also have a great new competition!

Visit Compass Online at