2024 ISANA SANiTy Branch PD

Upcoming Events:

We welcome all ISANA Members and their colleagues to join us at our professional development sessions.

Networking & AGM

  • Date: Friday, 15 November 2024
  • Time: 3.30pm welcome drinks and nibbles, 4pm AGM, 4.15 resume networking drinks and nibbles
  • Venue: Oui Chef (run by Alliance College), 125 Pirie St, Adelaide
  • RSVP(no cost): isana@isana.org.au 

Embracing diversity: A refresh – postponed to 2025

  • Date: Thursday, 19 September 2024
  • Time: 3.15 – 5 pm, then join us at the Uni Bar from 5 pm for networking
  • University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Barr Smith South 2060 (via Hub Central).
  • Presenter: Expert guest speaker(s) will be announced in July
  • Cost: Cost: ISANA Members $30 | Non Member – Organisational PD $40 | Non Members $50

While there are certain trends in our students’ geographic and cultural origins, there are many aspects that continue to change very rapidly in terms of diversity. Where are we at with your celebration of students with disabilities, LGBTQA+ students, those with very small representations on campus, and many other groups? Let’s talk about how we can embrace them, support them and help them thrive.

Past Events:

Generative artificial intelligence: Jumping on the bandwagon

  • Date: Thursday, 27 June 2024
  • Time: 3.15pm – 4.30pm (ACST) | 3.45 – 5pm (AEST)
  • Presenters: Anusha Dissanayake & Alessandro Sereni
  • Online: via Zoom
  • Cost: ISANA Members $30 | Non Members $50

Artificial Intelligence has been part of university life for a long time now, and the rise of Chat GPT presents us with great tools to make our work more efficient and dynamic. However, many of us may be unaware/frightened of all the opportunities embracing it could afford us.

In this online session, we will delve into using new technologies to work more efficiently to engage our students (Kahoot doesn’t cut it anymore!). Academic and professional university staff will share their research and practical tips, followed by Q&A from attendees.

Anusha Dissanayake is an IT expert and educator at the Canterbury Institute of Management (CIM) and the South Australian Institute of Business and Technology (SAIBT). She holds a Master of Information Technology from Charles Sturt University and is currently pursuing a PhD at Torrens University. Her research interest is in the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the higher education sector, investigating the impact of AI-powered tools on the teaching-learning process.  Anusha is passionate about the potential of artificial intelligence to transform the higher education sector.

Alessandro Sereni works as an International Engagement Officer at the University of Adelaide. With an academic background in international relations and development, as well as professional experiences in the government, education, and non-governmental sectors across three continents, he continuously seeks to expand his interdisciplinary knowledge and skills toolbox. Owing to his generalist approach to learning, he has explored AI applications for professional staff in the higher education sector, particularly how it can enhance the international student experience.

Tales from the intake

  • Date: Wednesday, 10 April 2024
  • Time: 3.15 – 5 pm, then join us at the Uni Bar from 5 pm for networking
  • Venue: University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Horace Lamb 422 (via Hub Central)
  • Cost: no cost for ISANA Members or Non Members

Set as a highly interactive session, this will be a platform for participants to share insights from Semester 1 Orientation programs and learn from peers.

Let’s discuss what worked, what didn’t, highlights and hiccups, innovative student engagement activities, statistics, most common enquiries. The idea is to make sense of the current trends and identify how we can use this knowledge to best support students.