Deakin win gold in student accommodation

DEAKIN Residential Services has been recognised as one of the best in Australia, receiving a Gold Accreditation for its student accommodation.

The accreditation, awarded by the Asia Pacific Student Accommodation Association, spans across all campuses, including Waurn Ponds and Geelong Waterfront.

As a newly established award, it outlines the new benchmark for student accommodation in the Asia-Pacific region and strengthens Deakin’s position as a provider.

Deakin Residential Services chief executive officer Marion Grey said the residential community was key to the vibrancy of Deakin campuses.

“Deakin’s residential community is a vital part of maintaining our on-campus diversity and is the perfect springboard as students look for more independence.

“This accreditation process has provided us with invaluable insights and data, ensuring we continue to deliver services where the wellbeing and satisfaction of our students is our true worth.”

The accreditation measures student accommodation experiences around the facilities, support services and student wellbeing.

Master of Cyber Security student and Residential Leader Derby Teo has lived on campus in Waurn Ponds for two years, and said she enjoyed the social and community aspects on offer.

“It’s very centred around community, we’ve got a lot of events that are social, with free food, which is great, it’s a great setting for people to meet and chat and eat at the same time.”

The Waurn Ponds Campus offers residents a range of options, with shared living and studio apartments available.

Ms Teo said the shared facilities on campus help residents make new friends, providing them with theatre rooms, pool table areas, music rooms, free events and activities and much more.

“You can try lots of different things, and it’s so integrated and campus life really cares about you, you can tell the people in charge really care and it’s not just a place you go to sleep and leave.

“It’s the place where you can find people that can be your friends forever, even your partners for life and because there’s so many people, if you don’t merge with this group, there’s another one.”

Ms Teo encourages anyone thinking about living on residence at Deakin to take the step and get involved with the events.