Griffith University is continuing with its mission to create globally responsible leaders with its latest internship program, funded by the government’s New Colombo Plan.
Dubbed a community internship, the program sees students from a range of disciplines travel to India for three weeks with the aim of observing and improving the living conditions of those struggling in areas stricken by poverty.
Dr Dhara Shah, a lecturer with the Department of International Business and Asian Studies, is one of the course creators, and will be accompanying students on the trip.
She says that the internship is a truly unique opportunity within the university’s plentiful internship options. “It’s the first of its kind for Griffith, because it’s a trip where we are bringing different disciplines together,” Dr Shah explains. Students from the Business School will accompany those studying nursing, journalism, humanities, ecology and even photography.
Dr Shah was one of a group of delegates
Category: Griffith University Feed
Opportunities abound for students to study in Austria
The Rector of University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Austria and delegation made a visit to Griffith University today to sign a renewal of the current student exchange agreement between Griffith University and BOKU.
The renewal of this agreement, signed by Professor Sarah Todd, Vice President (Global), Griffith University and Professor Martin Gerzabek, Rector, BOKU, will give students studying within areas such as Natural Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Geology and Soil Science the opportunity to spend time studying abroad.
Founded in 1872, BOKU is the only Austrian university offering Bachelor, Master and Doctoral studies in the areas of Agriculture, Bio-economy, Forestry and Wood Technology, Civil Engineering and Water Management, Food Science and Technology, Biotechnology, Nano-biotechnology, Landscape Architecture and Planning and is currently ranked 39th in the world in the 2016 QS World Ranking by Subject for its Agriculture and Forestry programs.
Mongolia a giant ‘steppe’ for ecologist Emma
Saturday, 11 February, is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
There are wolves and marmots on the Mongolian steppes. Wild horses and baby bears too. On the forested border with Russia, there are reindeer.
Wherever they are, Griffith University alumnus Emma Dale is there too.
It’s difficult to imagine an environmental contrast more striking than that between Australia’s Gold Coast, where Emma completed her science degree in 2014, and the East Asian sovereign state of Mongolia.
Yet as Emma speaks from her 10th floor apartment on the outskirts of the capital Ulaanbataar, where the outside temperature is minus 30C and the air is hazy with the pollution from coal fires, it is clear she feels completely at home.
Furthermore, when the time comes to trade the comforts of the apartment for the rigours of Hustai National Park and accommodation in a felt-covered tent known as a ger, Emma will be equally content
Griffith student trains with Australia rugby sevens squad
Griffith business student Lauren Brown is this week training with the elite Australian women’s rugby sevens after getting the call to link up with the elite squad.
The 21-year-old from the Gold Coast will also be part of the Australian Development team that travels to Japan for an invitational tournament next week.
The national breakthrough capped off a top week for Lauren’s rugby sevens ambitions after the ARU named Griffith University among eight teams who will compete for the inaugural National University Sevens Series later in 2017.
“I don’t want to get too ahead of myself but it’s a fantastic opportunity,” she said.
“It’s a great chance to see what they do, how they train and just get an insight into that level.”
READ MORE: Griffith in elite eight to contest inaugural women’s rugby sevens
Lauren is about to start the final year of a business degree at Griffith University where she is studying sport management
Griffith partners with MOOC market leader FutureLearn
Griffith University has established a partnership with massive open online course (MOOC) platform FutureLearn.
FutureLearn’s Director of Partnerships Development, Mark Lester, visited the Nathan campus in Brisbane for the formal signing (pictured below) with Griffith University Vice Chancellor, Professor Ian O’Connor.
“This initiative underlines the proactive approach to the delivery of education at Griffith University,” Professor O’Connor said.
“By partnering with a world leader in online delivery of education, Griffith University is confirming its role as an innovative leader in this space.”
Mark Lester highlighted an evolving education landscape where the expectations of today’s learners are changing constantly.
“We’re devoted to providing a platform for our partners that meets the needs of both them and their learners. We’re delighted to be working with such a forward-thinking partner in Griffith University and we can’t wait to introduce their courses to our millions of learners.”
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Professor Debra Henly, welcomed the partnership with FutureLearn which will
Griffith filmmakers selected for Berlinale
A trio of Griffith filmmakers are off to the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival with their graduate documentary, Wolfe.
Wolfe is a short documentary from producer/director Claire Randall, who studied Film and Screen Media at Griffith Film School.
The film was motivated by her own encounter with mental illness as a teenager. It uses interviews and animation to explore a young man’s journey through adolescence with undiagnosed schizophrenia, and his relationship with an imaginary friend, Mister Wolfe.
For Claire, the film was a labour of love.
“I was looking for someone who had a powerful story, and Nick and I were introduced by mutual friends and actually shared a flat together for a few months,” she said.
“I knew it was a big responsibility taking on his story, but I think we handled it respectfully.
“I believe these kinds of films can help other people who are struggling and encourage them to seek help.”
Lachlan Morton, Director of Photography
Studio 39 backing Gold Coast student startups
Student entrepreneurship is building at Griffith and Studio 39, the University’s startup hatchery on the Gold Coast campus, will be having a very busy 2017.
The Studio is part of Griffith Enterprise (GE) who have been working with students hoping to develop the next Twitter, Canva or Fitbit rather than a job or career. In 2016 startups jumped into the public mind as digital services like Netflix and Uber began to move into the lives of everyday people.
The successful multi-billion dollar listing of Australian software firm Atlassian on the NASDAQ has provided further impetus, as have television shows like Shark Tank.
In previous years, GE’s support was limited to advice and their co-working space. But in 2015 they adjusted focus and began making connections in the American startup community, organising breakfasts with investors, brought in the 3 Day Startup team from Texas to run training and facilitated hacking competitions.
Students have also been
Education students aim to inspire younger generation
Smart, confident and determined to make a difference. These are the hallmarks of three high-achieving young women who will start their education degrees at Griffith University this year.
School leavers Yasmin Atwani, who received an OP1, and Emily Williamson and Jean Stansfield OP2s could have studied anything they wanted, and chose teaching because they believe in the power of education.
“I had the option of studying medicine,’’ says Yasmin, “but then I had to be honest with myself and look at what I would really like to do in the long-term and the answer was teaching.”
“The significance of being an educator was initially sparked by my teachers and parents, who embedded in me a passion for improving the world we live in through education.”
Emily agrees. “I found that if you have passionate teachers it makes a big difference. I’m passionate about English and history and hope to teach those areas as a
Qld’s top Year 12 graduate to study at Griffith
She’s just been named Queensland’s top Year 12 graduate for 2016, she’s just about to start life as a Griffith University student and she’s got more than just a passing interest in rockets.
It’s quite the hectic life for 17-year-old Amelia Grace from Southport.
On Saturday she was presented with the state’s Outstanding Academic Achiever award by Education Minister Kate Jones at a South Bank ceremony hosted by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA).
Then on Monday she threw herself into everything O-Week had to offer at Griffith’s Gold Coast campus, ahead of her first lectures as an engineering student starting next week.
“I can’t wait to start. I’m sure there will be challenges that I don’t know about yet but I think I’m ready,” Amelia said. “The award was so unexpected. I think I’m still in shock. You just do the work.”
Amelia’s outstanding results in Year 12 placed her ahead of more
ABC showcases Griffith filmmakers
ABC iView is screening Griffith Film School’s graduate projects as part of a new showcase of Australia’s best original short films.
Grad Season 2017 is curated by ABC Arts on iView, introducing Griffith’s talented young filmmakers to a wider audience.
Selected works from the collection will also be chosen for a broadcast premiere on ABC2.
A new platform for young filmmakers
Creative Director of Griffith Film School’s LiveLab, Richard Fabb, said the initiative provided recent graduates with a national platform for their work.
“I am always blown away by the polish and professionalism of our graduate films and they really show the best Griffith Film School has to offer,” he said.
“The national broadcaster is a natural home for these young filmmakers, and it is great to see their work find a broader audience.”
Head of ABC Arts, Mandy Chang said the ABC was keen to build relationships with young Australian filmmakers.
“These young filmmakers are the future