International students ready to get started at JCU

International students ready to get started at JCU

More than 50 James Cook University international students from countries such as Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, El Salvador and Honduras have completed a four-week tertiary introduction program.

The students, studying under the Federal Government’s Australia Awards Scholarships program, will be recognised in a special ceremony at JCU in Townsville tomorrow.

The students, who are completing the four-week Introductory Academic Program (IAP), represent the largest intake of AAS students in a single semester in JCU’s history. The IAP is a four-week compulsory program that covers settlement information and academic skills workshops.

There are 11 students celebrating the event in Cairns.

JCU International AAS Liaison Officer, Alex Salvador said the Australia Awards Scholarships were long-term development awards administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (formerly administered by AusAID).

“They provide opportunities for people from developing countries to undertake full time undergraduate or postgraduate study at participating Australian universities and institutions,” Mr Salvador said.

“The program aims to contribute to the long term development needs of Australia's partner countries. AAS also injects millions of dollars into the local economy.”

Mr Salvador said JCU’s first students from Guyana, Panama, El Salvador and Honduras were in this year’s intake, including the first AAS student to undertake a Bachelor of Veterinary Sciences at JCU.

Twelve scholarship recipients from PNG are part of a pilot program by AAS, who have developed a partnership with Divine Word University in Madang, PNG.

The courses range from Bachelor degrees, such as Bachelor of Business, to Masters degrees, such as Public Health, Business Administration and Science, to Higher Degree Research programs such as a Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy.

Background: The Australia Awards Scholarships program is what was previously referred to as the Australian Development Scholarships administered by the then AusAID – Australian Agency for International Development. The scholarships are administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under its Australia Aid program.

Event details:

JCU’s Introductory Academic Program Completion (IAP) for Australia Awards Scholarship students ceremony

Date: Thursday, February 13, 2014 11:30am.

Certificate presentation at 11:30, followed by a group photo at 12:30 and lunch at 12:45. Students and JCU’s Australia Awards Scholarship Officer will be available for interviews at 12:45pm.

Contact for interviews or photos: Alex Salvador, AAS Liaison Officer. tel: (07) 4781 5766.

JCU Media contact: Caroline Kaurila (07) 4781 4586 or 0437 028 175

Date issued: February 12, 2014