Congratulations, Dick, on becoming a tutor at U3AM. We know you as the tutor of Computers, Word, Excel and PowerPoint with Confidence but would you be able to tell us a bit more about yourself and your professional background?

I hold a Bachelor degree in Computer Science and a Master degree in Finance. I was an IT professional in Hong Kong for 26 years. My last job was as IT Manager of a central bank in which I had served for 22 years.

I retired from my last job four years ago and started my life’s next journey in Melbourne. I’m studying a short course in ‘Early Childhood Education and Care’. I am a table tennis enthusiast and am a member of a local table tennis club in Wantirna.

What motivated you to become a tutor?

My migrant English tutor encouraged me to practise my English oral skills by becoming a tutor. As a new immigrant to Melbourne, this is another way for me to connect with and contribute to the community.

Could you describe your course to help our members decide whether they are at a suitable level to join?

Members are at a suitable level to join if they satisfy the following criteria. They should:

• have a personal computer with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint installed
• be able to operate a computer mouse device (right & left mouse click, drag and drop)
• be able to operate a computer keyboard and perform basic textual entries (cut & paste text, select/de-select text)
• be able to use a personal computer to perform email communication, internet browsing and searching.

The focus of your course is on Microsoft applications. By the end of your course, what will participants be able to do with what they have learned? Please give some specific examples.

Participants will be able to:

• apply some useful features that they had not used before. For example, using tables, lists, music, video, images and icons to enrich their work
• create recipes, travel journals and formal letters using MS Word
• input their household income and expense entries and perform analysis using MS Excel
• present desired topics using MS PowerPoint.

Dick’s class runs for a term from 09:00 to 10:20 am every Monday, and is repeated each term. Enrolments are now open for Term 4.

Shirley Fung
President and New Course Coordinator