Just a few of our many VU SIFE members High school students involved in the YAA Business Skills Program

Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) are changing the world by making a difference in their local communities. SIFE students invent new futures for themselves and for others through entrepreneurial educational outreach projects. Join the VU SIFE Club on Facebook

• 2009 - 2010 projects
• Contact SIFE at VU

SIFE encourages students to take what they learn in the classroom and apply it in real working situations. SIFE challenges business and industry to become involved in a partnership to mentor students, and judge their projects at National Championships.

For more information about SIFE visit www.sifeaustralia.org.au

2009 - 2010 Projects

The International - Financial management for students

Of our nearly 12,000 international students, many must work to pay their school fees and living expenses. International students are a vital component of the SIFE VU team, and this program is being developed to help educate them on managing their finances.

There are plans to collaborate with student clubs and our International Student Support (ISS) team to establish and promote workshops for this project. An online survey has been created to help identify suitable objectives for the program. Coupled with student experiences, survey results will be used to guide the development of the program

CSIRO - EnergyMark Project

The EnergyMark project, introduced to VU SIFE in 2009, involved weekly discussion sessions around climate change and environmental sustainability. The objective of this project was to increase awareness of the impact of carbon emissions and encourage behaviour change. Participants shared their new understanding of energy consumption and alternative energy sources through discussion groups, and were also able to reduce their utilities bills. Of the eight sessions held, discussion topics included:

• what is climate change?
• new and existing renewable technologies
• addressing energy and climate change

Carbon Kids

The Carbon Kids program encourages students to actively participate in tackling climate change. They improve their school and community environments by learning to:

• set meaningful emissions reduction targets, such as aiming to become carbon neutral
• track how the school is going against the targets set
• measure greenhouse gas emissions using a carbon calculator
• identify ways to avoid emissions, and reduce emissions that can’t be avoided
• make sustainable transport choices
• address local climate-related issues
• be active and responsible citizens

Contact SIFE at VU

For further information contact the SIFE Club President:
Jenny Le
Email: jenny.le6@live.vu.edu.au