A lesson in leadership

Volume 7 Number 8 August 15 - September 11 2011

We all value leadership in our society, but how do you go about learning to be a leader? David Scott looks into a new program offering for female postgraduate students at the University.

Twenty-five postgraduate students, from countries as far afield as Mozambique and Bhutan, undertaking studies in everything from agribusiness to education, have had the opportunity in semester one to be involved in a pilot leadership program with the purpose of sharing, listening, networking and developing leadership skills alongside their peers.

“The Australia Awards, and in particular AusAID, promote equity and the participation of women in their programs, encouraging women from rural backgrounds and ethnic minorities, those with disabilities or disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, to apply for scholarships,” says Judith Heron, General Manager of International Services.

“We have over three hundred students at the University under the AusAID program, and at least fifty per cent are female. Knowing this and seeing the huge growth in the number of scholarships being offered to Africa, I was keen to see how the University of Melbourne could help these women while they were in Australia.”

Each of the students had the chance to gain insights into the different styles of leadership from speakers such as Mmaskepe Motalepula Sejoe, the Manager of Victoria Police’s Human Rights Unit, Alice Pung, well known lawyer and writer, and the University’s own Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Global Engagement Professor Sue Elliott.

Masters of Public Health student Norma Bulamu from Uganda says that the program has been motivational as well as helpful. “I’ve learnt that irrespective of my background, I can make a difference. Sometimes my efforts may seem insignificant, but small is big if it is consistent.

“The program has offered me an opportunity to meet leaders in society who have shared their experiences and their own life stories, and this motivates me to be the best that I can be, regardless of any obstacles.”

Ann Akiteng, another Masters of Public Health student from Uganda, concurred. “One has to be determined, principled and rational in their pursuit of their goals. If you have a focus, you shall achieve your aim no matter the circumstances,” she says.

For Angella Acham, the third of the Ugandan Public Health students in the program, the program has proved to be aspirational. “I am very ambitious, and I desire to be an influential person as I believe I can make changes in my country in many areas.

“It’s a matter of time, opportunity, and getting the right mentor, and this program was a great chance to better shape me on that path.”

Norma Bulamu says that the program has helped crystallise her idea about what leadership is; modelling what is right both at work and in the local community. “It means influencing those around me to do and be what is right, to achieve the best they can. It means living and leaving a legacy that others would be proud to walk in.

“I would like to grow into a leader of my generation, and I hope to achieve this through learning from, and being mentored by, others who have walked this path before me.”