When Jenny met Jase
Open Universities Australia’s annual Hackathon is special for many reasons. There’s the innovation. The collaboration. The collective commitment. But what about the student we involve each year?
This is the story of how Open Universities Australia student Jenny joined our 2024 Hack—during which she met Jase, the student advisor who set her on the path to success.
First up, we sat down with Jenny to hear her part of the story.
Thanks for speaking with us Jenny. Can you tell us a little about the ‘why’ for your study?
I’m 32 years old and a mother to a 5-year-old boy with cerebral palsy. We moved from Mauritius to Australia to give him the medical treatment he needs. In Mauritius, the support for his condition was limited, but here in Melbourne, he’s receiving the care he deserves. My son is my biggest inspiration. His joy and resilience motivate me every day to be the best mother I can be.
Since his birth, I’ve been a stay-at home mom. But this year, with him starting full-time kindergarten, I decided it was time for me to focus on my career and future.
Before becoming a parent, I worked in the audio-visual industry in Mauritius, running my own company, providing event management services. I also worked as a TV host and voice-over artist. I was also deeply involved in my community, offering free educational tutoring to students of all ages. My work focused on helping people improve their literacy and numeracy skills, which was extremely rewarding. I wanted to continue contributing to education, so when I moved to Australia, I hoped to use my bilingual skills to teach.
[That’s when] I decided to study through Open Universities Australia.
How did you get involved with the Open Universities Australia Hack?
I received an email from Open Universities Australia inviting me to participate. At first, I wasn’t sure if I was qualified, as I had never heard of a ‘Hackathon’ before and didn’t think I had the technical skills they were looking for. But my curiosity got the better of me, and after doing some research, I realised it was an opportunity to learn and grow.
I decided to apply, thinking it would be a great experience to gain insights from others and push myself outside my comfort zone.
Once I sent my interest, I forgot about it. Then, a few days later, I received a call from Jason L. to confirm my participation. I was both excited and nervous, but I saw it as a chance to improve my skills, so I accepted without hesitation.
The day before the Hackathon, I was full of nerves and doubts, but when I arrived at Open Universities Australia, everything changed. The staff greeted me warmly, and right away, I felt comfortable. They introduced me to the wider team and made me feel like I am part of the Open Universities Australia family. That moment boosted my confidence and reassured me that I was there for a reason.
As the day went on, I met James Pulling, Head of Organisational Agility & Effectiveness, who guided me through the Hackathon process and introduced me to Anthony Elliott, Chief Operating Officer, and Stuart Elmslie, Chief Executive Officer. The teams I worked with were amazing. I felt an instant connection with everyone, and as I shared my thoughts on some of the challenges I faced in my studies, I found myself unexpectedly helping the team with their research.
The more I spoke, the more confident I felt, hearing them respond with feedback like “That’s a great idea!” or “I hadn’t thought of that!” It was an amazing feeling to realise that I was contributing in ways I never imagined.
You got to meet with the student advisor who originally helped you enrol, Jase. How was this exchange?
Meeting Jase in person was such a special moment. He’s been a huge help throughout my journey with Open Universities Australia, as he has put at ease from the first phone calls. Since then he told me that I can always reach out to him whenever I needed guidance. I still remember the first time I called Open Universities Australia for help with my studies and ended up speaking to him. Since then, I even saved the Open Universities Australia contact number as ‘Jason OUA’ on my phone!
I was so excited to put a face to the name. For both of us. It was the first time that he met one of the students he spoke to on the phone, and same for me. He was just as kind and approachable in person as he had been on the phone. He took the time to go over my study profile and help clarify some steps, which I really appreciated. I can’t thank him enough for his support. He’s truly made a positive impact on my journey.
What was the best part of being invited to Open Universities Australia HQ and being a part of our Hack Event?
The best part of being invited and part of the Hackathon was for me to realise how much I had been underestimating myself. I never imagined I would be selected for such an incredible opportunity, and the experience proved to me that I’m capable of so much more than I thought.
I felt so welcomed by everyone at OUA and immediately felt like I was part of the Open Universities Australia family. I’ve never felt more confident in my abilities, and I left the event with a renewed belief in myself. Being part of this Hackathon was truly lifechanging, and I’m grateful to have had this opportunity.
Next up, Jase opened up to share how he felt seeing Jenny in-person on the day.
Jase, do you remember your initial call with Jenny prior to her enrolment?
I do remember our first conversation. It was evident that Jenny was at a crossroad, she carried a mix of emotions—there was a palpable excitement about the prospect of studying to become a qualified Secondary Teacher, coupled with a layer of uncertainty about managing her current commitments.
Throughout our dialogue, I sensed a strong resolve—Jenny was not just contemplating a change; she was actively seeking ways to make it a reality. Her determination was inspiring, and it was a privilege to guide her through the entire process and provide the encouragement she needed to take that leap of faith into her new academic endeavour.
How did it feel to meet Jenny during our Hack?
I was taken aback how amazing it felt to meet Jenny in person. Full of gratitude. For me it was unexpected and unscripted. We crossed paths earlier in our office prior to the Hack event. Putting a face to the voice; I was smiling ear to ear. I was blushing. It was surreal!
It was the first time I’ve had the pleasure to meet one of my students in person. I’ve always found joy in the process of guiding students through their studies. With Jenny, meeting her highlighted the realness and tangibility of what we do–the full-scale ‘butterfly effect’ of the positive impact we can have on people across the country. It was a thrill to see how a plan stemming from conversation six months earlier had led to a study goal coming to fruition.
Jenny is an amazing individual. She isn’t afraid of challenging herself and proactively makes things work. She lives our organisation’s values of Continuously Improve.
When we met in person, it was incredible how quickly our original conversation came back to my memory.
If you could show 'past Jenny' where she is today, and what she achieved through Open Universities Australia, what would you say to her, Jase?
You did it!
If you're inspired by reading about our Hack event and you'd like to learn more about working at Open Universities Australia, visit Work With Us.
