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International Projects Group
Welcome from Professor Emeritus Merv Hyde
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Establishment
International Projects Group (IPG) commenced working with international partners and government agencies early in 2008. The unit was formalised by the University of the Sunshine Coast in 2009 as a specialised group within the School of Science and Education.
Mission
The mission of the International Projects Group (IPG) of the University of the Sunshine Coast is to contribute to the sustainable social and economic development of communities in the developing world through collaborative, research-informed human resource capacity building.
Objective
Our underlying objective is to improve the capacity of international communities to better the lives of their people by developing sustainable solutions to their needs. IPG provides the University with the opportunity to fulfil this objective.
Operations
IPG is committed to the creation and management of international development projects that deliver a positive and sustainable outcome to the international community, the University and local communities.
The operations of IPG therefore align closely with the USC mission of engagement: To be the major catalyst for the innovative and sustainable economic, cultural and educational advancement of the region, through the pursuit of international standards in teaching, research and engagement.
More often than not we work in collaboration with international partners, government and non-government organisations, and local authorities including primary and secondary schools developing ongoing relationships to achieve effective results. Our approach is multi-disciplinary using expertise across the University.
Focus
To date our projects have included a special focus on improving the educational capacity of teachers of the Province of Papua, Indonesia. This work has been designed collaboratively with the Indonesian Papuan Provincial Government, major Indonesian Educational consultants Willi Toisuta and Associates and, the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). During our cooperative work with Indonesia, we have also worked with principals and education officials in Islamic Education, Ministry of Religious Affairs, in educational leadership and management.
IPG is expanding into other areas of Indonesia and into the Asia-Pacific and Africa basin, addressing capacity building projects in education, health, the environment, IT and eLearning, and governance. We are committed to long-term involvement and forging long-term partnerships.
Services
IPG provides project management services, research and educational training for organisations, associations, governments and the private sector. For more information, refer to Key Services.
The IPG Team
The dedicated team is rapidly expanding. Within the IPG unit are academic staff who oversee academic program quality and research components of programs; management staff who oversee program implementation; and project officers who provide administrative, technical and operational support during all stages of the project management cycle. All IPG staff are highly experienced in working with people of diverse cultural backgrounds and pride themselves on the high level of care and support provided to program participants. The IPG staff, academics and experts across Faculties are employed to design and implement our International Development Projects