May 27, 2014

Connecting undergraduate students with North America

The importance of student exchange was highlighted on 22 May when the Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health (SMAH) held its inaugural Connect: North America event.

SMAH’s Executive Dean, Professor Alison Jones, officially opened the event highlighting how it was part of the University of Wollongong and SMAH’s international strategy to expand its global presence as a highly reputable international education provider.

Speakers at the event included Associate Professor Angela Brown from the School of Nursing, Midwifery and indigenous Health and Ashley Tanks from the Office of Global Student Mobility. Visiting professors and students from Colgate University and University of Colorado (USA) were also in attendance.  

Professor Jones and Associate Professor Marc in het Panhuis (from SMAH’s International Office) awarded five scholarships (each worth $5000) for exchange with universities in North America.

Sally Anne Carney, Ailish Cleary, Thomas Oyston and Jack Simmons were the recipients of the four Scholarships (each worth $5000) for exchange with McMasters University in Canada. The McMasters scholarships were funded as a result of a successful grant application by Professor Brown and Professor in het Panhuis under the 2014 DIICCSRTE International Student Exchange Program.

McMasters University is ranked 140 in the world in the QS World University Rankings.

Taylor Yousiph was the recipient of the SMAH International Office Scholarship ($5000) for Bachelor of Nursing Advanced students for exchange with an approved American and/or Canadian University.

Professor in het Panhuis said student exchange was an important aspect of the UOW student experience and it was an important tool in forging links with international high ranking institutions.

“These exchanges will provide our students with an immersive overseas study experience in two countries on the North American continent, USA and Canada. The activities fit in with the University of Wollongong’s objective to become an international university of choice as it will enhance our outbound student mobility and lead to opportunities for inbound student mobility from leading North American Universities," Professor in het Panhuis said.