Grants pave way for CDU students to go global
Charles Darwin University students will visit the Brazilian Amazon, the Galapagos Islands and a dozen other countries next year thanks to almost $200,000 in Australian Government funding, announced this week.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Maddocks said that CDU had been successful in 14 Endeavour Mobility Grant submissions, which would allow up to 65 students the opportunity to sample life in overseas countries.
“This is exciting news for students wishing to immerse themselves in the academic and social cultures of other countries,” Professor Maddocks said.
“The funding will allow up to 10 students from the School of Environment to take part in a field intensive to the Brazilian Amazon where they will learn about the applied research and sustainable wildlife management programs in the region.
“The door is also open for another 10 students to undertake research or a short-course project in the Galapagos to learn about key concepts in biodiversity conservation.
“Others will have the chance to take part in student exchanges to the US, Canada, China and Japan, or in our annual in-country language tour to Greece.”
Professor Maddocks said it was particularly encouraging that CDU’s first attempt to apply for funding in the “Asia VET” category had been successful.
“These grants will enable students in hair design, beauty therapy, hospitality and education an experience in international learning as part of their vocational studies,” he said.
“Ten of our hospitality students from Alice Springs will have the opportunity to travel to Vanuatu to undertake three weeks of work experience at hotels in Port Vila.
“A further six students enrolled in our sales and personal services courses will be offered the chance to undertake either an internship or advanced training with highly skilled stylists and technicians at the TONI&GUY Academy in Singapore.”
Professor Maddocks said the grants would further CDU’s efforts to develop corporate links with overseas institutions.
Student grants are made possible with support from the Australian Government’s Australia Awards - Endeavour Mobility Grants program.