PR-09-2023
18 MARCH 2023, MELBOURNE – The Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne, in coordination with the Filipino-Australian Student Council of Victoria (FASTCO) held a Post-Arrival Orientation Seminar (PAOS) for Filipino students in Victoria lon 18 March 2023. Around 60 participants from various universities and disciplines (including vocational students) attended the second run of PAOS, the first of which was in March 2022.
In her opening remarks, Philippine Consul General to Melbourne Maria Lourdes M. Salcedo greeted the participants, who were requested to wear something purple, “a happy National Women’s Month.” She advised them to be mindful of their safety and wellness and to “soak in as much as you can, inside and outside of school.”
Consul General Maria Lourdes M. Salcedo welcomes participants to the Seminar.
The PAOS is intended to provide newly-arrived Filipino students with important information on adjusting to life in Australia in order to make their experience enriching and rewarding. Speakers were drawn from a variety of expertise: Mr. Kay Marssena of Study Melbourne provided an overview of what the City of Melbourne provides to students; Mr. Jason Telles, a Filipino PhD student and member of FASTCO, discussed student life and survival tips; Ms. Melba Marginson, Chairperson of The Silent Witness Network gave an important presentation on safety at home and community; Dr. Alfred Presbitero of Deakin University alerted the participants to important skills needed by business in Victoria; FASTCO President and Migrant Resource Center Ambassador Remart Dumlao gave a snapshot of the Australian work environment; and Atty. Alfe Roder shared important information on work rights and how to spot fraud and scams.
Dr. Raul Sachez Urribarri and Mr. Rei Fortes of La Trobe University promoted the Philippines-Australia Forum (PAF) and highlighted their achievements in light of the grant provided to them by the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Philippine Studies Program, which was realized through the support and advocacy of Senator Loren Legarda.
The PAOS closed with Consul Jan Sherwin Wenceslao briefing the participants on the services provided by the Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne and a networking session among the students.
The Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne provides the PAOS given the growing stature and number of Filipino students in Victoria. As of December 2022, Filipinos are the tenth largest group of international students in Victoria numbered at 5,164 students.
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