UQ welcomes international leadership group

A cohort of 13 Australia Awards Leadership Program recipients from a range of countries has joined 2400 new international students starting their studies at UQ this semester.

The cohort is part of a carefully selected group of 200 candidates the Australian Government has identified as current and emerging leaders in their countries and professional areas to participate in the Australia Awards leadership Program.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and International) Professor Alan Lawson welcomed the group at a morning tea and congratulated them on their achievement.

“Selection to the Australia Awards Leadership Program is highly competitive and is based on candidates’ professional and personal qualities, academic achievement and their commitment to contribute to development outcomes of their countries,” Professor Lawson said.

He said the candidates were offered a scholarship under the Leadership Program to study Masters or Research Programs at an Australian University.

“We are honoured these students have chosen UQ as their university,” Professor Lawson said.

“Our high-quality programs and unique interdisciplinary initiatives such as the UQ Career Advantage for PhDs will equip them with the necessary skills to become influencers for social and economic reform in their home countries,” he said.

Vietnam’s Mr Xuan Minh Ngo and Indonesia’s Ms Ariyanti Dewi chose UQ because of its reputation as a high quality teaching and research university.

Mr Ngo said colleagues had recommended UQ.

“Enrolling here has been one of my best decisions,” he said.

“The university’s facilities, especially its library collection, are exceptional.”

Ms Dewi said she chose UQ because of its broad collaborations in research.

“It will provide me with a sound understanding of my chosen field and will help me develop strong academic skills,” she said.

The AusAID program is delivered by the Australian Education and Leadership Centre.

It brings awardees together in Australia for leadership training, development discussions and the opportunity to build valuable networks.

Awardees undertake the program while completing higher education studies in Australia.

Media: Ms Meenu Issar, Scholarships Coordinator, International Scholarships (UQ International), m.issar@uq.edu.au, 3346 6260.