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International communication has world wide appeal
3 August, 2005
An International Communication course being run at the University is proving popular with both local and international students.
This semester the course has brought together students from Australia, Chile, Mexico, US, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden and Japan.
Course coordinator, Ken Hickson, is pleased the course has attracted such a diverse group of students - a third of the students in the class are from overseas.
"The course is relevant to both local and international students," Mr Hickson said.
"The sharing of their ideas, experiences and cultural differences adds significantly to the content of the course and what students get out of it."
With a University-wide focus on industry input into courses and programs, Mr Hickson brings a wealth of international public relations experience.
He is a Strategic Communications Consultant, now living on the Sunshine Coast, who has worked internationally in the communications industry, covering media and public relations, for more than 40 years.
Mr Hickson has been involved first hand in developing and managing communications programs throughout the world for Government agencies and multinational corporations, particularly in Singapore where he was based for 17 years.
While in Singapore he set up his own public relations consultancy, which was acquired after 10 years by what is now the world's largest international communications consultancy, Fleishman Hillard.
Guest lecturers include Jennifer St George, a local award winning businesswoman and former PR professional with experience in the UK and Europe and one of USC's own graduates, Maya Gurry who has experience working in the UK and South Africa and now manages the successful Sunshine Coast business - Fresh PR.