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Spotlight on Maria Stavrinakis

27 August 2014

This week the spotlight is on Maria Stavrinakis, Registry Services Director at the UCL Australia campus in Adelaide.

Maria Stavrinakis

What is your role and what does it involve?

My role is Student and Registry Services Director at the UCL campus in Adelaide. I am responsible for all the student and registry-related functions. In addition, I am responsible for compliance and quality assurance for both the UK and Australia. 

How long have you been at UCL and what was your previous role?

I commenced at UCL in September 2009, four months before it accepted its first cohort of students. Previously, I was employed at an Australian university, working in various roles over my 21 years including in a faculty, the international office and as an executive officer to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International).

What working achievement or initiative are you most proud of?

I am very proud of my role at UCL Australia. We have been successful in establishing the first off-shore campus, offering programmes as an integrated department of the Faculty of Engineering Sciences.

We have also been recently successful in securing a further seven years of operation in Australia by TEQSA (QAA). Without the team spirit and hard work, this compulsory aspect of our operation would not have been secured.

Tell us about a project you are working on now which is top of your to-do list?

UCL Australia recently purchased the Radius CRM. This CRM will manage our contacts, events, applications and eventually will be synced with the Hobsons CRM used by the International Office in London.

This will create stronger engagement and more effective processes not just internally in the department, but extended to our colleagues in London. Considering that we have purchased this new CRM before it becomes available in the UK, we are extremely excited.

What is your favourite album, film and novel?

Music: Tough decision as like I everything from Gustav Mahler (no 3); The Cure; Deep Forest; Loreena McKenitt; Amalia Rodrigues and everything in between.

Film: Three Colours Blue, White and Red series by Krzysztof Kieslowski

Novel: Paolo Coehlo's The Valkyries

Who would be your dream dinner guests?

- John Malkovich

- Krzysztof Kieslowski

- Aung San Suu Kyi

What advice would you give your younger self?

Never ever doubt your abilities. Anything is possible.

What would it surprise people to know about you?

Amateur theatre - I love being on stage.

What is your favourite place?

Anywhere that I can feed my soul: the beach, the mountains, even a place of worship.