Shape your future with the 2024 Student Leadership Program

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Applications are open for Optometry Australia’s 2024 Student Leadership Program.

All optometry undergraduate students from across Australia and New Zealand are welcome to apply.

About the Student Leadership Program

This year, Optometry Australia has again partnered with the Australian School of Entrepreneurship (ASE) to deliver the Optometrists’ Leadership Hub, a program aimed at empowering optometry students with essential ‘soft skills’ and equipping them to become effective leaders in their field. The Optometrists’ Leadership Hub will be facilitated by Jahin Tanvir, a fellow optometry student, Student Leadership Program Alumni, CEO of the Australian School of Entrepreneurship and all-round superstar.

Running from March to April, the program will offer five industry-relevant online sessions on topics including:

• Networking and mentorship
• Diversity and inclusion
• Ideation and creativity in practice
• Adaptive leadership
• Effective communication

Participants will have access to thought-provoking content that focuses on practical strategies and real-world insights, creating a community of confident, creative, empathetic and aware leaders who can make meaningful impact in the world of optometry.

Program facilitator Jahin said the program will transform optometry students into confident practitioners. ‘This is a program beyond textbooks. Students will have access to on-demand content via ASE’s accessible Space platform, allowing you to develop soft skills at your own pace, live webinars connecting participants with their peers and optometry sector leaders, and an in-person networking event jointly facilitated by Optometry Australia and ASE.’

The in-person event will be hosted in either Melbourne or Sydney, and Optometry Australia will cover flight and accomodation expenses for Australian-based students.

How to apply

Applications close on Wednesday, 31 January 2024. Applicants should write a brief (ideally, no more than one A4 page) response to the below questions:

• What do you think being a leader means?
• What leadership experience have you had?
• Why do you think you would benefit from participating in the Student Leadership Program?

Include at least one referee contact. Please note we do not need support letters.

Email your application to student@optometry.org.au with ‘Application: 2024 Student Leadership Program’ in the subject line. Please quote your membership number.

There are 15 places available. Applicants must be enrolled at an Australian or NZ university.

Australian students must be a member of Optometry Australia – membership is complimentary for Australian optometry students; sign up here.

New Zealand students must be a member of NZAO; sign up here.

The 2024 Student Leadership Program is proudly sponsored by Alcon.

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About the Australian School of Entrepreneurship

The Australian School of Entrepreneurship is an initiative of The ASE Group, a community-led and purpose-driven education business for good. We deliver skills-based entrepreneurship training and life skills education programs in the form of workshops (face-to-face and virtual), online education and events. These programs are designed to inspire creativity, collaboration and critical thinking in young people. Find out more: https://www.ase.edu.au/entrepreneurship