International Experience is Invaluable
19 November 2005
This University has been placing an increasing emphasis on
providing opportunities for students to study at overseas
universities during their degree programs, and gain credit for
their USC degree. We have links with universities all over the
world and a number of our exchange agreements open up possibilities
for students in a trouble-free way.
It provides a way for students to see different countries and
education systems without leaving the Coast on a long-term basis.
Students return to the Coast with insights into other cultures that
can prove invaluable in their subsequent job-seeking. Those
insights help them personally and can also help the firms that
employ them.
Last week I visited two of our Japanese partner institutions,
one of which was celebrating its founding 100 years ago.
Japan is one of those countries that challenge every visitor
from the West to think about culture, business, art, history,
social order, gender relations, and so much more, because some of
the contrasts with our way of life in Australia are
inescapable.
I spoke to our students in these universities and they were all
enjoying their experiences, and were certainly wrestling with
issues in Japanese culture in ways that they could not possibly do
if they had remained on the Coast.
They were involved in martial arts in their leisure time,
another participated in a presentation in Japanese traditional
costume. From these activities, coupled with day-to-day experiences
like living with other students from around the world, they gain
invaluable information about Japan and other countries.
In one discussion, for example, we commented on the density of
coastal population yet the total absence of littering or graffiti.
The trains run precisely on time and are spotlessly clean. Shopping
areas are crowded and large departments stores have no security
systems and very few security personnel because theft is not an
issue. Personal safety on city streets, even for women alone at
night, is probably better than anywhere in the world.
Even these basic observations prompt students to think about why
there are such differences between societies. The experiences they
are getting will make an impression for a lifetime.
I was also involved in formal ceremonies and in presentations on
this University and this region. The formal ceremony celebrating
100 years was fascinating, with a degree of pomp and formality that
would be totally absent from Australian universities.
In a speech of thanks to our hosts, on behalf of an
international delegation of invited guests, I commented on the
power of education. Most educationists have always believed that
education can influence national development and standing. Today,
however, many of the major issues facing mankind relate to
economic, social and environmental concerns that are of global
significance. They can only be resolved, not by national action
alone, but by international cooperation.
University student exchange programs are part of that
international effort to enhance understanding and cooperation, and
the raison d'etre for USC continuing to emphasise their
importance.
Professor Paul Thomas is Vice-Chancellor of University of
the Sunshine Coast