A third-year pharmacy student from Curtin University has won a national award for providing outstanding educational support to fellow pharmacy students.
Ms Lavina Chagani, 22, from Carlisle, won the Outstanding Senior Leader/Mentor award at the 2012 Australasian Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) Leader Achievement Awards held at the National PASS Forum in Melbourne.
Ms Chagani was up against stiff competition in her short-listed category and won the overall award for demonstrating exceptional qualities as a mentor and facilitator and for enhancing fellow students’ learning and engagement.
The PASS program has been running at Curtin University since 2011 and is a free, voluntary, academic assistance program that uses peer-led group study to help students succeed.
The study sessions are facilitated by PASS leaders, like Ms Chagani, who have already successfully completed specific subjects at university.
Ms Chagani said that she felt extremely privileged and honoured to receive the award.
“I have enjoyed every minute of mentoring fellow pharmacy students,” Ms Chagani said. “The pharmacy subject that I provide support for can be quite challenging. It’s been really rewarding to see students who have participated in the program improve and obtain great academic results.
“Mentoring is provided in a relaxed and casual environment, and this great program also provides an opportunity to connect with other students studying the same course.”
The PASS awards are organised annually by the University of Wollongong and the University of Missouri – Kansas City.
Visit unilife.curtin.edu.au/learning_support/about_unipass_program.htm for more information on Curtin’s PASS program.
