Griffith International recognised academic leadership in advancing the internationalisation agenda with the annual Internationalisation Awards evening, held on the 17 November, 2015 at Nathan campus.
Professor Sarah Todd, Pro Vice Chancellor (International) welcomed the nominees and guests. “We had planned to shortlist just six nominees for each category but it seemed a shame not to showcase all of the wonderful work being done by this year’s nominees,” said Professor Todd, as she went on to speak briefly about each nominee and their contribution to internationalisation at Griffith.
Winning the category for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Internationalisation at Griffith’ this year is Dr Allen Huang, Senior Lecturer, Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics.
Dr Huang has been responsible for forging a longstanding partnership with Shenyang University of Technology in China to provide Chinese students with the opportunity to undertake a joint degree in accounting or international business. Since the foundation of the relationship in 2000, more than 900 students have completed the program, bringing the strengths of both institutions together through completion of two years at Shenyang University of Technology and two years at Griffith. Dr Huang has provided exceptional leadership in this collaboration.
Highly commended for the category of ‘Outstanding Contribution to Internationalisation at Griffith’ is Professor Andrew Davey. As Head of Griffith’s School of Pharmacy, he has been driving a range of new initiatives in the Asia Pacific region, including student mobility programs and research collaboration in Indonesia, India, Hong Kong and China. He has also been appointed a Specialist of the Hong Kong Council for the Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications.
Ms Heidi Piper, Director, Griffith International, announced Professor Jean-Marc Hero as this year’s winner of the category ‘Most Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Short-term Global Mobility Programs’.
“I really believe that an international experience is often the most important and most memorable part of a student’s program at Griffith,” Ms Piper said.
Professor Hero is the Course Convenor of Conservation in Practice, a capstone international experience for 3rd year environment students, run in Nepal annually with students spending time in the field in both Chitwan National Park and the Himalayas. The course engages masters degree students from Nepalese universities as field tutors for Griffith students, and exposes Griffith students to a range of government organisations and NGOs involved in environmental and conservation work in Nepal. Since it commenced in 2007, 140 students have participated in this course.
The highly commended nominee for the ‘Most Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Short-term Global Mobility’ was Associate Professor Leigh Shutter, Griffith Sciences.
With the commencement of the architecture program at Griffith in 2010, Associate Professor Shutter established the Griffith Asia Studio, offering students an annual short-term elective course in Asia. The program moves each year with staff leading student groups to China, Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Associate Professor Shutter has attracted funding from a number of different schemes to support the program, helping provide students with affordable international experiences.
Griffith’s success in the international arena can be directly attributed to the achievements of its staff, working tirelessly, in all fields and regions right across the globe.
