Learning across borders with CQUGlobal
CQUniversity recently welcomed students from Singapore, Malaysia and the United Kingdom to its Brisbane and Melbourne campuses through three inbound programs as part of the university’s commitment to student mobility opportunities and global partnerships.
Delivered by the CQUGlobal team, the programs provided students with tailored learning experiences aligned with their fields of study, which ranged from chiropractic practice and engineering to emergency management and disaster resilience.
Dominic de Moura McCarthy, Partnerships and Mobility Coordinator, said the programs highlighted CQUniversity's ability to create meaningful international learning experiences.
"CQUGlobal welcomed three international study groups to our campuses in June, each focusing on a distinct area of study," Mr de Moura McCarthy said.
"The programs highlighted the breadth of CQUniversity's academic expertise and offered a balance of educational, industry and cultural experiences.
"Our inbound short programs are tailored to the needs of each partner, ensuring visiting students gain the greatest possible value from their time in Australia."
Hands-on chiropractic learning in Brisbane
Chiropractic students from Health Sciences University in the United Kingdom participated in a clinical immersion program at CQU’s Brisbane campus.
Supported by Senior Lecturer and Head of Course for Chiropractic, Dr Matt Fernandez, the program focused on the practical experiences available at CQUniversity’s Indooroopilly clinic.
Students participated in patient-facing learning activities and clinic debriefs, as well as paediatric workshops, a neurological presentation and external placements.
During their placements, the students were exposed to a diverse range of patient and community settings, allowing for a deeper understanding of the differences in chiropractic practice and healthcare delivery in Australia.
Engineering innovation in Melbourne
CQUniversity’s Melbourne campus welcomed 11 postgraduate mechanical engineering students from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) for a week-long program.
Delivered by Senior Lecturer and Head of Course for Postgraduate Engineering, Dr Sarkar Noor E Khuda, the students were introduced to the campus’ advanced mechanical, geotechnical, electrical, simulation, computer and high-performance computing facilities, including the CQU Drone Lab.
The students also met with engineering academics, college leaders, laboratory staff and CQUniversity students, creating new opportunities for academic exchange and peer networking.
Two Melbourne campus International Student Ambassadors helped provide a warm Aussie welcome and tour of Melbourne’s landmark and attractions as part of the program’s cultural component.
Emergency management and disaster resilience
CQUniversity also hosted 33 students from the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) to Brisbane for a one-week intensive program focused on emergency management, disaster resilience, public safety and security.
The program included academic sessions that covered emergency-management volunteerism, search-and-rescue behaviour, crowd safety and First Nations public Health.
The students were also given the opportunity to witness theory in action, with visits to emergency management facilities such as the Gold Coast Local Disaster Coordination Centre, the Queensland Emergency Services Complex at Kedron and the Suncorp Disaster Management Centre.
The program was facilitated by several CQUniversity staff members from the School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences disciplines, including Allison Temple, John Moy, Jamie Sorby, Steve Schwartz and Aldo Raineri, supported by Shannon Delport and Ryan Kift.
Education without borders
In an increasingly connected world, opportunities such as CQUniversity’s inbound short programs provide valuable opportunities for cross-cultural learning and international exchange.
"What makes international programs so valuable is the opportunity they create for people to learn from one another," Mr de Moura McCarthy said.
"Students gain new academic and professional insights, but they also develop a greater understanding of different cultures, communities and ways of thinking.
"Experiences like these are more important than ever and help to build relationships and global perspectives that extend well beyond the classroom."
Find out more about CQUGlobal’s Inbound Programs, including opportunities for customised study tours.
