Providing Global Opportunities
4 December 2004
A University of the Sunshine Coast student was recently offered
a scholarship to enrol in a research degree at the University of
Wyoming. The scholarship, funded by the University of Wyoming, has
provided our student with an opportunity she did not expect when
she enrolled with us.
The student, who studies environmental science in our Faculty of
Science, went to the University of Wyoming as an exchange student
this semester. She is there because of the University's commitment
to international education, exemplified in its Global Opportunities
(GO) Program.
GO is designed to increase the number of University students
studying at one or other of our partner universities. GO has three
elements: building a network of good quality international
partners; publicising the advantages of international education to
our students and potential students; and providing financial
support.
For the past several years the University has been working hard
to build an international network of partner universities. The aim
has been to create opportunities for our students to spend time
studying in a good quality university overseas, and to create
opportunities for our staff to engage in international research
collaborations.
The University's efforts dovetail with Commonwealth Government
priorities. One key priority is increasing substantially the number
of Australian undergraduates who study overseas for one semester of
their degree.
Students who have this experience will acquire knowledge and
understandings that will contribute to Australia's economic
development, particularly to the growth of crucial knowledge-based
industries. Students will bring back knowledge and understandings
that will enhance their employment options in a national economy
that is becoming increasingly global and in the global economy
itself.
The Commonwealth has, consequently, established a scheme called
'OS-HELP'. This is a student loan scheme that enables students to
borrow $5000 to support a semester studying overseas. OS-HELP
assists in overcoming financial impediments that prevent students
taking advantage of Global Opportunities.
The University assists as well. Travel Grants of up to $2000 are
available to students participating in GO. These Travel Grants are
indicative of the importance the University places on international
education as a key ingredient in producing graduates who are
capable and competitive.
There is also a range of scholarships available for particular
countries. These include scholarships provided by Japanese
Government, the Queensland Government (for study in South Carolina
and Hessen, Germany), the Commonwealth's University Mobility in
Asia Pacific (for study in Korea, Japan, Chile, and Peru), and the
Cheung Kong Scholarships (for study in China and Thailand).
This year University of the Sunshine Coast students have studied
at partner universities in Canada, Chile, Finland, Germany, Italy,
Japan, Korea, UK and USA. In first semester next year Costa Rica
and Sweden will be added to the list. There are other opportunities
as well. The University now has over 50 partner institutions in 19
countries and is working actively to increase the number of
countries in which its students can study.
The University will include a GO Fair in its 2005 Orientation
week. There will be a number of displays featuring information
about the GO program and about our partner institutions. There will
be opportunities to talk to students from other countries and to
University of the Sunshine Coast students who have already
experienced the GO program.
The Fair is one way of spreading the word about the Global
Opportunities the University is creating for its students. It will
help students understand the considerable educational, professional
and personal benefits they can secure through an international
education.
Professor Robert Elliot is Acting Vice-Chancellor of
University of the Sunshine Coast in the absence of the
Vice-Chancellor