Rod Turner

PhD (2007)

Life long learning reaps rewards: May, 2007

Rod Turner

Rod Turner’s academic career has spanned 45 years and he has been enrolled in one course or another for 22 years at Monash University. Recently he has been rewarded for a life time of study with his ultimate prize of a PhD in Information Technology.

Rod can boast about several post graduate achievements but none are as precious to him as this latest accomplishment. The title of his PhD thesis was “Developing a two stage regression model describing the IS graduate” and he anticipates his graduation ceremony to be a very sweet moment.

Rod has seen many changes and developments over his time at Monash University. He started his BSc(Hons) degree at Monash in 1962, majoring in physics and graduating in 1966. In 1962 there were about 750 students at Clayton. By 1966 there were around 3000 students. His graduation ceremony took place in the new dining hall on the first floor of the new union building. He returned to study a Diploma of Education which was awarded in 1977. He then started a MEdStudies degree in 1978, graduating in 1986. He commenced PhD studies at Monash in 2001 and will graduate in October at the age of 64, in the Robert Blackwood Hall.

Rod plans to ‘retire’ now and will undertake a course in teaching English as a foreign language, relocate to China and learn more Chinese language skills. Perhaps he’ll also do a photography course on the side.

Rod has demonstrated many qualities over the years, qualities such as endurance, perseverance and tenacity. All the while he believed in the Monash University motto Ancora Imparo - and he has truly demonstrated that he’s still learning.