Building international capacity
by Jon Brooks
Four
AusAID sponsored students from the Philippines recently shared their
experiences of studying in Adelaide with UniSA staff before heading home
to put their learning into action.
Rodrigo Bustillo, who studied a Graduate Diploma in Regional Planning, hopes his newfound knowledge will help him usher in a culture of change in his home in Davao City.
"Adelaide is a very interesting city, it is a very green, open city with its parklands and is very different from my home, which is one of the biggest cities in the Philippines and very densely populated," Bustillo said.
"But what I’ve learned here at the University is very much applicable back home and it’s going to be really beneficial to my career.
"One of the good things about aid coming in the form of training is that it’s a long-term investment.
"Traditionally places like the Philippines have a history of foreign aid being lost in the system but this program ensures that people like me can take knowledge back to our homes and pass it on - it’s an investment in our people."
For Raquel Ho, PhD student in education from Western Mindanao State University, her placement at UniSA was the realisation of a long-term goal.
"UniSA was my first choice for study in Australia. I was here on a study tour in 2005 and I found the uni to be an excellent example of a teacher education model," Ho said.
"It has a great academic culture and student support, services like learning connection and library workshops.
"Not only that but the importance of research is recognised, and learning is something which does not end when your degree does. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending UniSA."
Pro Vice Chancellor and Vice President: International & Development Anna Ciccarelli said the AusAID program is an important component of UniSA’s growing international reputation.
"The AusAID project is very special to UniSA, in terms of the benefit our expertise can offer our region and the cultural benefits international students bring to our institutions," Ciccarelli said.