DAY ONE – Wednesday 2nd December

(Postgraduate forums and workshops)

TIME

ITEM

9:00

Registrations open

9:30

Welcome to country, introductions and program overview

10:00

Postgraduates and Higher Education 2009

11:00

Morning Tea

11:30

The Research Education Experience in 2009
(Presentation and Workshop):

What is the research education experience in 2009?
What does quality in research education look like?
How could it be improved?

Representatives from the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) will outline Federal Initiatives in improving support for research students, and prospects for future improvements.
(Followed by workshop and Q&A).

1:00

Lunch

2:00

What are Students Getting in a Coursework Postgrad Degree?
(Presentation and Workshop):

What are postgrads getting these days in a coursework degree?
How are they different from vocational or undergraduate programs?
Is quality being recognised and rewarded?
Are expectations being met?
Do we need minimum standards when it comes to degree programs?

Representatives from the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) will introduce this session, outlining how degree pathways are described in Australian Qualifications Framework, with a focus on degree programs between bachelor level and PhD.
(Followed by workshop and Q&A).

3:30

Afternoon Tea

 4:00 - 4:45

Engaging students on transport concessions equality: lessons from the 2009 campaings in Melbourne and Sydney.
Paul Coats and Rashmi Kumar

This session will address engaging with postgraduates on specific issues, drawing on sucessful strategies in the ongoing campaign for equality on transport concessions.

5:00

International Postgraduate Issues in 2009
Sally Dongping Huang, Anwar Shah and Katya Pechenkina
(Presentation and Panel Discussion)

This session will outline the major developments for international students in 2009, and CAPA's engagement on behalf of international postgraduates.  Topics covered will include:
  - The Inquiry into International Student Welfare and other reviews
  - Developments around the representation of international students
  - Other activities

6:00

Day close

7:00 for 7:30

CAPA ACM Dinner: 30 Years of CAPA

DAY TWO – Thursday 3rd December

(2009 CAPA Annual Council Meeting)

TIME

ITEM

9:15

Annual meeting of the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations

10:55

Nominations open

11:00

Morning Tea

11:30

Annual meeting of the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations

1:00

Lunch & Regional Meetings

2:00

Postgraduate Representation and Advocacy in the New Student Services Environment
(Presentation and Workshop)

(Includes part II of How to be an Effective Postgrad Rep)

3:30

Afternoon Tea

4:00

What is the Equity Agenda for Postgraduates in 2009?

Panel discussion, with representatives and guest speakers on disability, gender, queer and indigenous issues.

5:00

Parallel sessions:

CAPA Queer forum

CAPA Indigenous forum

CAPA Women’s Forum

CAPA International Students Forum

CAPA Disability Forum

6:00

Day close

DAY THREE – Friday 4^th December

(2009 CAPA Annual Council Meeting)

TIME

ITEM

9:15

Annual meeting of the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (governance matters)

11:00

Morning Tea

11:29

Nominations Close

11:30

Annual meeting of the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (governance matters and elections)

1:00

Lunch

2:00

Annual meeting of the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (presentations and governance matters)

3:30

Afternoon Tea

4:00

Afternoon presentation

Annual meeting of the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations

(conference roundup).

6:00 

Close of meeting

6:01

Light refreshments provided at the Prince Alfred Hotel, Grattan St.