Statement from CAPA

Statement on the Passing of Griffith University Postgraduate Student, Sophie Collombet

April 7, 2014

It was with great sadness that the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations learned of the passing of Griffith University postgraduate student, Sophie Collombet, on March 28.

Sophie was an active member of Griffith University Postgraduate Student Association, and all of us at CAPA join with our friends at GUPSA in mourning this shared loss.

GUPSA has organised a memorial service and candle light vigil on Thursday, April 10th which students and friends are invited to attend (further details are included below).

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations will in the coming days be convening a working group to discuss concerns around safety for postgraduate students which will be comprised of the CAPA President, Women’s Officer, International Students’ Officer, and Northern Regional Secretary. This group will liaise with campus representatives in Queensland and across the country as postgraduates come to terms with this terrible loss.

Sophie’s passing is the latest in a series of incidents to have affected international students studying in Brisbane over the last year. The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations takes these incidences very seriously and is eager to work with postgraduate students both in Brisbane and nation-wide to respond to issues around safety and the student experience in Australia.

The President, Executive and Officers of the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations send our condolences to Sophie’s friends and family, to the Griffith University Postgraduate Student Association, and to the Griffith University community at this terrible time.

Contact:
Ms Meghan B. Hopper
President – Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations president@capa.edu.au / 0421 807 303