Content
Papuan teachers learning at USC
A University of the Sunshine Coast team is delighted by the success of a program that has opened up local education systems to teachers from the Indonesian province of Papua.
The 24 teachers, selected as future leaders in their country, completed their 10-week program at the Sippy Downs campus today.
USC International Projects Group Manager Suzanne Burford said the visitors had enjoyed the diversity of the program.
She said they worked with teachers and students at eight Coast high schools, attended lectures and workshops, liaised with USC staff, joined in science and indigenous youth conferences and lived in the community with Coast families.
“The student-focused learning styles in our classrooms were an eye-opener for these senior teachers who are accustomed to more directive, teacher-focused methods,” Ms Burford said.
The program was co-sponsored by USC, the provincial government of Papua and Australian agency AusAID.
A USC team headed by Professor Merv Hyde, Dr Bill Allen, Ms Burford and Rama Brierty gained a $540,000 grant from AusAID to appoint the teachers as Australian Leadership Awards Fellows.
“They’ve learned about educational pedagogy, English language in context integrating technology in teaching, information literacy, change management, leadership, gender issues and more,” Ms Burford said.
She said the program had forged stronger links between USC, local schools and the Indonesian and Australian governments, creating opportunities for USC research and sister school relationships.
The Australian Leadership Awards Fellowship program aims to promote sustainable development and excellence in education in the Asia-Pacific region forging links between Australian organisations and overseas leaders and professionals.
– Julie Gatehouse