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It is hard to believe that I am writing the alumni wrap up for 2024 in February!������

I am now in my second five-year term as the Head of the �����Ʊ School of Optometry & Vision Science and continue to be incredibly proud of our ongoing outstanding achievements.

We are fortunate to have a nurturing and collegial environment at the School and I am truly honoured to lead such a talented and dedicated team. I extend my gratitude to my staff for their unwavering commitment, hard work, and support throughout 2024 in providing our students with an outstanding student experience.

We have listened and worked with students and Faculty in trying new innovative ways of delivering course material and we have had fruitful discussion during meetings with the student representative each term.�� The feedback scores from our students have been at the top of the Faculty and ranked highly within the university.�� This is testament to the high calibre of teaching in our School.

We added short courses to our portfolio in 2023 and are pleased to be continuing to make contributions to lifelong learning. It is our mission to support evidence-based practice and provide practicing optometrists with extended opportunities for professional development which can support them to practice at the ceiling of their scope of practice in Australia and the region.����

We are offering short courses in (10 March – 13 April 2025) (28 April – 1 June 2025) and (2 June – 27 July). These highly rated short courses are 100% online and run by award winning convenors here at the School.

During 2024 we were successful in receiving $1.76M in grant funding to support our research. We proudly authored 243 journal articles and eight book chapters.�� Over 150 of the journal articles were published in 1st quartile journals.�� We have again been recognised with our ranking as one of the top contact lens research institutions in the world.�� In this field we have been successful with multiple international and national awards, notably Scientia Professor Fiona Stapleton was honoured with the prestigious Ruben Medal from the International Society for Contact Lens Research for her outstanding contributions to contact lens-related research and Emeritus Professor Eric Papas was honoured with the H. Barry Collin Medal for Research from Optometry Australia for his exceptional achievements and significant contributions in cornea and contact lens research.����

As an initiative of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee, we have made available a Financial Literacy Masterclass to support students navigate the challenge of managing their finances while studying full time. This was prompted by responses to a financial hardship survey in 2023 which found high rates of financial stress, particularly among rural origin students.���� During 2024 we gathered input from students and designed workshops, in partnership with the �����Ʊ School of Banking and Finance and industry partners, to give the students a 101 on finances and budgeting.�� Students who attended came away with some useful information and we are making this available as an ongoing optional workshop for our first-year students in 2025.��

I extend my congratulations to our Equity Diversity and Inclusion Committee for their meticulously planned initiatives throughout the year. One standout initiative that has been a hit among both staff and postgraduate students is the introduction of the “lunch and learn” sessions.�� These sessions have provided a wonderful platform for students and staff to showcase their home countries, enriching us with diverse cultures.�� And, of course, the highlight has been the opportunity to savour delicious cuisines from around the world.��

Their ‘Share the Dignity’ campaign also saw them collect 19 bags for women who are experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or doing it tough.

For their efforts, the �����Ʊ School of Optometry & Vision Science Equity Diversity and Inclusion Committee received the 2024 Faculty of Medicine & Health Diversity Award.

Our flagship Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Clinical Optometry continues to be a highly sought after program for school leavers.�� In addition to the usual entry pathways, our �����Ʊ Sydney Gateway Program��offers an early admission pathway for students in Years 10, 11 and 12 who either attend a Gateway school or reside in low-socioeconomic areas as determined by SEIFA criteria.�� We offer priority for students from rural areas and continue to meet targets for enrolments through this pathway and goals for inclusive education at �����Ʊ.�� The students who join us through this pathway are exceptional, and we observe a high retention rate within the Optometry and Vision Science program.����

We have had several visitors to �����Ʊ School of Optometry & Vision Science during 2024 including:

Assistant Professor Dimitra Makrynioti from the School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences of the University of Patras, Greece who visited with Associate Professor Maria Markoulli to collaborate on research in dry eye, contact lenses and myopia control.��

Associate Professor Martha Fabiola Rodriguez from Universidad de La Salle Bogotá who visited with Dr Ingrid Jiminez-Barbosa, Associate Professor Sieu Khuu and colleagues to discuss the impact of organic solvents, and pesticides on visual and ocular health, as well as the effects of heavy metals on vision.

Associate Professor Sindhu Sivankutty from SSIMS Bengaluru, India who visited Scientia Professor Fiona Stapleton to understand how corneal nerves are impacted by dry eye.

Dr Cristina Valencia from IOBA Valladolid who visited with Associate Professor Maria Markoulli on the ocular surface.

We also had students and supervisors visit from the Asia University Taiwan visit Professor Juno Kim on a research practicum.��

At the end of 2023 we had the final student go through the Judy Glover Memorial Scholarship. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Glover Family. Since 2012, 12 of our final year students have benefited from this scholarship.��

Judy’s legacy as an esteemed optometrist and a cherished member of the Northwest community of Western Australia continues to inspire us all. The Judy Glover Memorial Scholarship, established in her honour, has allowed our students to experience firsthand the work Judy was so passionate about and to gain a better understanding of Indigenous eye health issues in the region.����

Through the support of the Glover Family our students have been able to contribute meaningfully to the field of optometry and Judy’s legacy will be honoured through their work and achievements.

Towards the end of 2025 we are planning a reunion in conjunction with the opening of the ��where we will be opening new clinic space in the �����Ʊ polyclinic to provide the community with the best in multi-disciplinary team-based care and our students with valuable inter-professional learning.��

Finally, I would like to extend my thanks to our wonderful placement hosts across metropolitan, rural, regional, and interstate areas. Your invaluable assistance in training the future generation of optometrists, vision scientists and orientation and mobility specialists is greatly appreciated.��

I also thank our 95+ visiting academics who have supported our staff and students this year through their valuable contributions to our programs. We look forward to our continued collaboration throughout 2025 and beyond.

To our alumnus, may 2025 be filled with success, joy and prosperity. We hope this year brings you numerous opportunities to achieve your personal and professional goals.

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With best wishes,

Professor Lisa Keay

Head of School �����Ʊ School of Optometry & Vision Science