The University of Queensland’s (UQ) International Development unit hosted an opening ceremony in August 2019, for 46 participants undertaking Australia Awards Short Courses in Agribusiness (Africa) and Inclusive Governance for Effective Disaster Risk Reduction (Nepal).
The participants from across Sub-Saharan Africa and Nepal will study a short-term program in a range of areas including agriculture, sustainable economic development, and disaster management. The short courses are designed and delivered by UQ’s International Development unit, for mid to senior-level professionals.
The opening ceremony, attended by Peter Varghese AO, UQ Chancellor, brought together course participants, delivery teams, and representatives of Australia Awards–Africa and Australia Awards South and West Asia.
The Australia Awards Short Course in Agribusiness marks a significant milestone with over 1000 African professionals having now participated in short courses delivered by UQ’s International Development unit.
Ms Dallas Dowsett, Deputy Director UQ International Development, said the courses will draw on UQ expertise and build valuable people-to-people links both within Australia and within the participants’ home countries.
“The event presents a unique opportunity to celebrate a 10-year record of collaboration between the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and UQ in the delivery of Australia Awards activities designed to deliver sustainable impact through the next generation of global leaders,” Ms Dowsett said.
Those short courses have covered the sectors of agriculture, irrigation and water resources, public-private partnerships for infrastructure and economic and social development in extractives.
This Australia Awards Short Course in Agribusiness is designed to enhance participants’ professional capacity in Agribusiness by utilising a consumer-oriented, sustainable, systems-based approach, known as a ‘value chain approach’.
The Agribusiness course delivery team comprises expert personnel from UQ’s School of Agriculture and Food Sciences and delivery will involve field visits, case studies, hands-on experiences, discussions, debates, seminars and presentations. The course will provide participants with exposure, experience and learnings across the full value chain spectrum from smallholder primary producers through to modern retailers and their consumers; from farm level to regional level to industry level; and from both private sector and public sector perspectives.
The Australia Awards Short Course in Inclusive Governance for Effective Disaster Risk Reduction (Nepal) marks the 100th Australia Awards Short Course delivered by UQ’s International Development unit. The course will impart the knowledge and practical skills to enable participants from a cross-section of relevant government departments and agencies with an enhanced ability to implement the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act (Act), Sendai Framework, National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy (NDRRP) and National Strategic Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction (NSAPDRR).
Participants will have the opportunity to visit Australian counterparts including Queensland Reconstruction Authority, Brisbane; Queensland Combined Emergency Services Academy, Brisbane; Australian Aid emergency humanitarian relief supplies, Brisbane; Australian Government Crisis Coordination Centre, Canberra; Emergency Management Australia, Canberra; Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre, Canberra.
UQ International Development has been one of the leading course providers of Australia Awards Short Courses.
About Australia Awards
Australia Awards are prestigious international scholarships and short courses funded by the Australian Government and administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Australia Awards contribute to the long-term objectives of promoting growth and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as strengthening links between people and organisations to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation.
Australia Awards short courses offer emerging global leaders an opportunity to undertake study, research and professional development, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to drive change and contribute to the economic and social development of their own countries.
UQ International Development
We are one of the leading university development groups in the Asia-Pacific region. Our unit provides development expertise and program management leadership to help build the capacity of people and organisations around the world to achieve their development goals.