JCU professor honoured as a Fulbright Ambassador

Professor Leggat (pictured) is one of 27 distinguished Australians based here and in the United States (US) selected for a new flagship initiative by the Australian American Fulbright Commission, which awards prestigious Fulbright Scholarships for study in the US.

He received his certificate of appointment as a Fulbright Ambassador from the Hon. Steve Herbert, Minister for Training and Skills Victoria, and the US Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Mr John Berry, at the Fulbright Presentation ceremony honouring 2016 Fulbright Scholars held in Melbourne on February 25.

“It was an honour to be selected as an Inaugural Fulbright Ambassador,” Professor Leggat said.

“Fulbright Ambassadors will contribute to enhancing and promoting the Fulbright Scholarship Program, and help to strengthen cultural and academic exchange between Australia and the US,” he said.

“I am looking forward to further championing the Fulbright Scholarship program, particularly here in northern Queensland.”

Professor Leggat is the only Fulbright Ambassador selected based in Queensland and his initial term will run for two years over 2016 - 2017.

Established 66 years ago, the Australian American Fulbright Commission hosts the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship program, which aims to promote educational and cultural exchange between Australia and the US as well as support research and study by Australians in the US and the by Americans in Australia.

As a measure of the prestige and impact of the program, there have been more Nobel Prize winners (54) amongst Fulbright Scholarship alumni than from any other exchange program.

Professor Leggat, himself a former Fulbright Scholar, is based in the College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences in Townsville.

Further information on Fulbright Scholarships is available at: http://www.fulbright.com.au