Student Curriculum Partners

Fay Ballouk

Bachelor of Arts in Interpreting and Translation

I am Fay Ballouk and I am studying a Bachelor of Arts in Interpreting and Translation. I am a fluent Arabic speaker and would like to put that into good use to assist the people in the Western Sydney region. I have an extensive history in working at the University in different departments. I also recently received a research scholarship and would like to combine all the skills and attributes that I have gained at the University both academically and professionally to contribute to the future of Work forums and add value to the program.

Ashley Beathe

Bachelor of Arts pathway to Masters of Secondary Teaching

My name is Ashley Beathe and I am a second year mature age student studying a Bachelor of Arts pathway to Masters of Secondary Teaching. I am a career changer and have decided to return to study to follow my passion for education. It is the passion for education that sparked my interest in the Future of Work forums, not only is the nature of the future of work an important and relevant topic, it is also a topic that is important for both the University and students to be actively involved in to produce ideas on how the University can best create a curriculum to benefit it’s future students. I am excited to be able to learn about the future changes that will affect us all and also to help provide a student voice in this process of learning and change.

Chinnu Jose

Bachelor of Law/Bachelor of Business

My name is Chinnu Jose. I am a first year Bachelor of Law/Bachelor of Business student, studying at Western Sydney University’s new Parramatta City campus. Like most other university students, I am doing my degree with the hopes and dreams of being able to change the world, and as a future lawyer, be able to fight for the rights of all human beings. As a student curriculum partner, I aim to not only bring my own ideas, but also the ideas of my peers on how the student curriculum could be changed. I feel privileged and honoured to be part of such an initiative that will set Western Sydney University apart.

Marisse Manthos

Bachelor of Arts (Pathway to Secondary Teaching)

My name is Marisse Manthos and I am currently studying a Bachelor of Arts (Pathway to Secondary Teaching) with a dream of inspiring young people in the classroom as a Secondary English Teacher. I have almost completed my first year of study and have loved university so far. Over the past two years, I have been involved in a Learning Support Faculty at a K-12 school in Sydney’s South West. This faculty focuses on addressing learning needs of impaired students. Each time I’m there, I discover more about my passion to improve our Education system which is why I am extremely interested in this project! Equipping not only students, but students who have learning difficulties, with the resources, knowledge and confidence they need to step out into our big wide world of ‘employment’ is what I intend to do not only after completion of my degree, but all the way through!

The Future of Work is a topic that I am passionate about since, as a future educator, I hope to inspire young students to pursue their own hopes, dreams and passions. Choosing to study Education was also underpinned by my love for diversity. Australia is ‘home’ to different personalities, faces and attitudes and embracing these differences is where I believe change can be made. My hope is to learn more about who we are as students and how we can work together to create change beyond ourselves. Contributing to this program will allow me to pursue my passion in promoting change. I also love social media (I can just imagine you scrolling through social media right now!) and believe it is a fantastic platform where we can share ideas and make a difference!

Paul Mascellani

Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)

I am a career change student in my first year of study. I am moving out of a 25+ year IT Career into Psychology with work ahead and some luck needed. I was raised and have lived in the South Western Suburbs for most of my life. I have always been proud to say where I came from and challenged negative perceptions of our area when needed. To see the expansion of Western Sydney University in such a short time has been something I have admired. The Future of Work and the 21st Century Curriculum Project are both intensely interesting and when I share what I am doing with friends they genuinely seem to want to know more and ask to be kept updated. I am excited to see where this work takes us. Apart from being a student, I am also a partner, stepfather, grandfather, son, brother friend, employee and colleague.  Marks and Grey matter allowing I hope to become a registered Psychologist. If I have not had enough by then I will look at Sports or Organisational Psychology. At this time I am taking a one step at a time approach so the first goal is complete the Undergraduate degree at the right level to allow me to continue. Other interests are yoga, wing chun kung fu, reading (science fiction, fantasy, autobiographies, historical fiction), and gardening with a special love of the veggie patch. Finally, I am the proud owner of Jax (the labradoodle), Duke (a mastiff/boxer cross) and JuJu (the cat).

Kathy Nguyen

Bachelor of Natural Science (majoring in Environment and Health)

My name is Kathy Nguyen. I am a second year student doing a Bachelor of Natural Science (majoring in Environment and Health). My wish is to take this degree further than working for local government, and eventually becoming involved with the global community through charity and policy work with the United Nations or World Health Organisation.  I am passionate about travelling and spreading knowledge to the most disadvantaged people of the world. I believe in the empowerment of people and giving them the spark to initiate change in their community, which will change the world one step at a time. Coming from a developing country, I understand the importance of change for the future and the lives depending on this change. I also understand the importance of higher learning and how it needs to change in this continually evolving world.  A wish of mine is to continue the charity projects I have created and helped over the years, and to become a voice for children in disadvantaged areas.

I would like to give my opinion on the changing nature of work, and to improve higher education for myself as well as those around the world. I would like to learn the ways people can influence partners and the community to take action to improve the future.  I hope that my contribution to the forums will make a lasting change on the workings of the university and will give my fellow peers a voice, and that the knowledge I gain from the forums gives me new skills and knowledge to take this to the real world.

Hassan Raza

Bachelor of Business and Arts (majoring in Marketing and Philosophy)

My name is Hassan Raza and I am currently enrolled in my third year studying Bachelor of Business and Arts (majoring in Marketing and Philosophy). In my spare time, I enjoy watching TV shows, reading and exercising. When I heard about Future of Work project, I felt that not only would it be a great opportunity for me to understand the ins and outs of how education operates, but also to contribute to it. Since moving to Australia in 2010, I have been an admirer of the potential of the education system in this country. I believe that my past experience coming from Pakistan gives me the distinct perspective of the consequences of a linear and strict education system. I would like to contribute and share my experiences to build a future that is based on the quality and value of education rather than mere consumption. From this program, I am excited to learn a wide range of skills and experiences that will allow me to step outside of my comfort zone and broaden my perspective which I can use in my day to day life.