Find Your Voice

23 Feb

A Masterclass on Public Speaking and Presentation

In this workshop, participants will learn about the value of a good presentation, tips on conveying their ideas effectively, and practice becoming confident in presenting in front of an audience which includes:
Why is presentation skills key in your career
What can be achieved through presentation and public speaking
What are the key components of an effective presentation
How to overcome the fear of public speaking as an international student
What are the preparations required ahead of a presentation
How you should structure your presentation
When does persuasion play a role, and what are the key skills required
What are some key techniques you can develop and practice to master a presentation

This February, we are amplifying future females’ voices. In this Find Your Voice workshop, participants will learn from public speaking experts why effective presentation is valuable in your professional career. Throughout the session, you will learn the skills to convey your ideas effectively, understand your audience, master a presentation and practice to gain confidence. At Future Female, we design workshops that target the needs of international students, to boost their career readiness and promote the messages you want to share.

Special Notes:

Afternoon team time: 2:30pm to 3:30pm (AEDT).

Please make sure you have complied with the current restrictions for Melbourne to ensure your entry to the workshop:

Everyone must be fully vaccinated by Government mandate to attend the venue
Must show evidence of your vaccination certificate or be able to show a medical exemption issued by an authorised medical practitioner
Face masks are mandatory indoors unless eating or drinking
QR code check-in on entry

A photo walkthrough of the event

Presenter

**Shaz Sivanesan**
*Scientist, Public Affairs Officer*

Shaz is an experienced PhD researcher with a history of working in various roles in the higher education industry. She is passionate about medical and scientific education with strong research credentials with multiple publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Shaz is an excellent communicator, delivering numerous scientific presentations at national and international levels as well as being a teaching associate and Freelancing as a facilitator.
Co-founder of Scientists without Labels, an initiative that aims to break down stereotypes and amplify the voices of the underrepresented voices in STEM. Aspires to make meaningful contributions to global public health, science communication, education and employability.

PANELISTS

**Varsha Devi Balakrishnan (She/Her)**
*Education Analyst, The Lygon Group*

Varsha is a vocal advocate for international students in Australia and has previously held roles with the Council for International Students Australia (CISA), Study Melbourne and Monash University.
“Any positive change is better than no change”. Living by that motto, Varsha serves as both a vocal advocate and a changemaker in a diversity of social causes. From championing the rights of international students across Australia, to supporting asylum seekers and people seeking refugees and counseling at-risk youth at headspace, Varsha is heavily invested in building up various communities. With service at the heart of each cause, she believes that even the smallest changes count towards progress. Varsha taps into her personal, educational, and professional experiences to highlight the societal gaps that demand greater awareness.
Coming from Singapore, a cultural and racial melting pot, Varsha’s passion and drive are framed by her own identity as a female that is part of a minority race. She hopes to continue tapping on her personal, educational and professional experiences to highlight the societal gaps that demand greater awareness and action.
With the strong belief of education and research as a gateway to reducing social inequality, Varsha’s educational background is one that is multidisciplinary. From doing a double major in international relations and communications studies, to her honors thesis analyzing terrorist recruitment via social media, a Master of International Development focusing on Gender, Peace and Security and a Master of Counselling. Varsha understands how having a multidisciplinary approach provides a breath of perspective and ideas to enact social change.
Varsha is a firm believer in the domino effect of positive change.

**Dr Ruwangi Fernando (she/her)**
*Founder of STEM Sisters*

Sri Lankan-born PhD student, Ruwangi studies at Victoria University’s Centre for Applied Informatics in the Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities, is a sessional lecturer in VU’s the College of Business and a research ambassador peer-to-peer support to other VU researchers.
Ruwangi earned a full scholarship from Data 61 CSRO and was also named a finalist in the 2019 Victorian International Education Awards under the research category. 2019 Visualise your Thesis contest, an international competition of graduate researchers from 16 universities in four countries.
Ruwangi believes in giving back and set up STEM Sisters in 2017 to attract, support and celebrate female international students and migrants (women of colour) in science, engineering, technology and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Ruwangi is also Study Melbourne Ambassador for 2019 and has also appeared as a panellist for a range of events promoting women and diversity in STEM, including a ‘Learning on the Edge’ event, International Women’s Day celebrations at Victoria University, and presented at the Study Melbourne-supported Future Female Conference.
She completed a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colombo and her master’s degree in information technology from Wolverhampton.

Future Forte

Future Forte is a supportive community founded by and for international students and alumni in Australia. We deliver and provide events, programs, social groups, story-telling, and community advocacy. As a collective for women and gender diverse people, we aim to uplift each other and nurture our sense of belonging in Victoria.

Find Your Voice