PhD student wins 2012 Student Diary cover competition

He said his design represented the multilayered lives and dynamic realities in which students
developed their knowledge and understanding of the world.

"The work details the individual, chaotic mental maps that hold the excitement of our lives as
students in a playful and yet serious way, as we have access to extraordinary knowledge and
we follow our passions in one of the best universities in the world," he said.  
 
Mr Rojas-Corral's work was chosen from 25 entries that came from undergraduate, graduate
and PhD students studying in a variety of disciplines.
 
Mr Rojas-Corral said, "Being a student at Melbourne University has clarified in many ways in
how I see the world and I'm incredibly grateful and proud of having my artwork on the cover
of this year's student diary".

Communications Manager at the Office of the Provost Mr Tom Stringer said they ran the
competition each year because "We believe something made for students and used by
students should be represented by a student voice".
 
"The cover competition provides exactly this opportunity. Through it, we can present a
creative, student-driven view of the University.
 
"Each year through this process, our students get to see a new design by a talented
contemporary, featured on one of the University's most popular publications for students.
We hope this reflects our commitment to put our students at the heart of everything we do,"
Mr Stringer said.  
 
"Opportunities like this provide a chance for students to directly engage with the University
and its community. At an institution the size of Melbourne, it's easy for all of us (students and
staff included) to keep our heads down and focus on our immediate surrounds.

"The diary cover competition encourages entrants to lift their gaze and to see the University
as a whole. Those who see the design are reminded of others producing work in different
parts of the University, and that they belong to a community of scholars, artists and
professionals," Mr Stringer said.
 
The shortlist of 2012 entries along with last year's shortlist can be found at
http://www.provost.unimelb.edu.au/diary