AFR recognises English language strategy

Pro Vice Chancellor International Professor Sarah Todd.
Pro Vice Chancellor International Professor Sarah Todd.

A Griffith University initiative to help international students increase their English language skills has won a national award recognising outstanding achievement in the higher education sector.

The Griffith English Language Enhancement Strategy is the recipient of the International Education category of the inaugural Australian Financial Review Higher Education Awards.

The evidence-based approach aims to assist students whose first language is not English to be well prepared for university studies and maximise their academic success.

Pro Vice Chancellor International Professor Sarah Todd said they were delighted to win the inaugural AFR International Education Award.

GELES is a great example of a university-wide initiative that clearly benefits both international and domestic students, through a mix of English language support and social integration activities.

“While the strategy has received a number of awards, including an OLT award last year, it is wonderful to receive further recognition from representatives of peers in the Higher Education sector and the AFR.”

The Griffith Centre for Coastal Management was also a finalist in the community engagement category of the awards for its partnership with the City of Gold Coast to empower the local community in coastal management and promote commitment to a sustainable environment and city.