Funding sees students head overseas

Fifty Swinburne students have received funding from the federal government that will enable them to head overseas and undertake rewarding study and work placements.

The funding of $107,500, administered by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, will see the students head to a number of countries to participate in projects across a number of vocational fields and qualification levels.

Individual projects include:

• 'Joining Hands', a two week program for 10 Indigenous students to extend their cultural understanding of East Timor in a partnership with the National University of Timor Leste,
• a two week tour for fire technology students to share Australian fire fighting techniques with American students at the Kirkwood Community College,
• childcare students spending two weeks at Viet Nam Kinder World working with local kindergarten staff to develop programs and activities for the children and learning about the childcare philosophies and methods used in Vietnam,
• a 10 week work placement program for hospitality students and the chance to gain paid industry experience,
• an international industry experience in China's hospitality industry at top hotels such as The Renaissance, The Ritz Carlton and the Nanjing Sheraton Kingsley.

Swinburne Vice President International and Development Mr Jeffrey Smart said the funding was good news and supplements the generous student mobility support already provided by the university.

"Swinburne students are some of the most globally mobile in Australia," he said.

"This additional support will enable us to continue to provide more students with an international experience and add to the quality education they receive at Swinburne."

Ends