60 seconds with… Asha Chand

Asha Chand teaches in the School of Humanities and Communication Arts (opens in a new window). She began her career as a journalist for Fiji Sun, and was also the Chief of Staff for Fiji's national daily newspaper The Fiji Times, which was then owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Ltd. Asha's industry experience and research inform her teaching. Her research focuses on global comparisons of how traditional and modern media intersect, and the role new media plays in facilitating migration and marriage to maintain cultural identities in modern and traditional societies.

In 2006, Asha was the recipient of a national Australian Carrick Award for Excellence in Teaching. Here, Asha takes 60 seconds to share a little about herself and her work at the University. 

How long have you worked at UWS and what's the best thing about working here?

Ten years this year. The diversity of students and staff and the natural beauty of the campuses I teach on are some of the best things about working at UWS. The best thing has to be interacting with the UWS community, especially the students and the teaching, technical support and administration staff who inspire me to do my best in my many and varied roles. 

Which campus are you based on?

Penrith (Werrington South mostly) and Parramatta.

What is your favourite place on one of the UWS campuses and why?

The cafes: I am not a caffeine addict but I love the chatty environment, the colours and the conversations people are having. I sometimes sit back, people-watch and soak in all that I can and leave with a laugh to myself. The environment gives me a kick.  

When you're not at work, what will we find you doing?

Pottering around my home, growing vegetables, sewing, reading or having the time of my life with our family pets Gabbar (Stubborn) and Moti (Pearl) – our rooster and chicken. Both go away to my friends' homes for sleepovers and holidays.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a teacher or a lawyer. A teacher because back then teachers were treated like godsends in my small village, and a lawyer because my dad always proudly announced to fellow villagers that I would make a good lawyer – I used to write letters for the people in my village, especially the farmers who could not read or write and were being unfairly treated by the sugar refineries. I gave up on both these dreams early in high school as they were out of reach for me financially.

What was your first job?

I was a journalist for the Fiji Sun, straight out of secondary school. The paper was shut down at gunpoint during the 1987 military coup in Fiji. I must say that I was generating an income selling vegetables (which I helped my parents to grow) and mangoes (which I picked by climbing the trees in my village) as well as selling goats and chickens (which my family raised) on our farm. I had a good flow of cash in my hands when I was nine years old. 

What has been your greatest success?

Having a beautiful family. My husband, Ami, keeps me grounded in reality and makes me laugh a lot, as do our daughters Adarshni and Aradhna and their husbands Nilesh and Karthik. My son Amish, who is the youngest, is the most fun to be with and demonstrates a certain level of control and mastery over the universe.

If you could go to just one country in the world for a vacation, which country would it be and why?

Fiji and always Fiji ... I never seem to get enough of it, although I sometimes go there two or three times in a year and it is a tiny dot on the world map. I spent my childhood and most of my adult life there.

What are your favourite books, movies and/or albums?

I recently watched a Hindi movie titled Chillar Party, a kind of alternative to the usual Bollywood hits. It is about a young mob of village/street children who can never rest for a minute and come up with all sorts of crazy ideas and activities, keeping the rich and well-to-do in society on their feet and on edge. I cried and laughed at the same time: the drama and actions reflected my childhood to me via the silver screen. 

If you could invite anyone to dinner who would it be and why?

Any of the judges from any of the cooking shows currently being run on Australian TV to show them the essence of simplicity in healthy cooking, eating and wellbeing.

If you'd like to hear more about Asha, she will be featured in Models of Achievement.

(opens in a new window), a 10-part documentary series on the success and professional lives of 20 people, despite their hardships, on TVS this year.