Learning Development Centre

Sandra is a Student Success Lead and Teaching Instructor with a philosophy that inclusive, positive learning outcomes for all students are attainable. She liaises with faculty and students to develop individualised success lessons and learning plans. Raised in New Zealand, she moved to Australia to pursue a double major in Librarianship and History, with sub-majors in English and Media Studies. Sandra received her Bachelor of Education and Master of Education at The University of Melbourne. She also has Post Graduate Certificates in Gifted Education (Monash University) and Literacy and Reading (The University of Melbourne). She taught Secondary level English and History in Australia for 28 years. Between 2014-2020, she taught the International Baccalaureate at The United Nations International School (Vietnam). She has coordinated programmes in Accelerated Learning, Inter-School Debating, Student Mentoring, Pastoral Care and Model United Nations. She designs her curricula using Case Study and Active Learning methodologies and is adept in blended classroom teaching using multimedia social technologies in all aspects of formative and summative learning.

One area that Sandra has specifically developed is face to face and small group discussions where students actively and intentionally listen to each other. This fosters life-long relationships and builds a strong sense of community where students feel heard and supported.

As a trained Cognitive Coach, she is adept at discussing learning issues with students to help them enrich their academic skills and develop their resilience and self-confidence.

Currently, Sandra is developing a range of teaching and learning skills that students can access and transfer into the workplace, thus making them academically and socially prepared for the 21^st-century workplace.

She currently volunteers her time supporting university students in Vietnam’s Blue Dragon Mentoring Programs. Sandra is an avid podcast listener and reader, especially in higher education.

Jon is currently the Programme Leader for Student Welfare and serves on the Student Recovery Panel and Programme. He held his first degree from Dalhousie University in Canada and has an MBA degree at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland (UK), a PGCE at York St. John University (UK) and was formerly a PhD student at both Leeds University Business School (UK) and the University of York (UK). Before higher education, Jon was the CEO of two consultancies and successfully restored over 23 different businesses to profitability.

His main concern in higher education is improving student outcomes by helping students with coursework, job applications and graduate school.

Thuy holds a Bachelor of Psychology from the University of Social Science and Humanity (USSH) in 2003 and a Bachelor of Politics from the National Academy of Politics in 2015. She also has a master’s degree in Psychology, graduating from USSH in 2006.

For the last 20 years of work experience, Thuy has worked for a range of national and international organisations, and projects in education and sustainable development, such as the East Meets West Foundation and the National Academy of Politics. She also initiated a Kidpower International centre in Vietnam and Women’s Health and Youth international and was a member of global youth networks such as the Network of Asia Pacific Youth and Youth Working Group of World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action.

From 2003 to 2005, Thuy was the senior counsellor/counselling adviser for the first online counselling project for Vietnamese youth focused on sexuality, reproductive health, and psychological matters and has supported hundreds of Vietnamese youths to overcome their mental health issues. After 10 years working for international NGOs, before BUV, she had 7 years working as a lecturer in Management Psychology and Leadership Science.