DANANG: A new scholarship for Vietnamese students to study in Queensland will pay tribute to Queensland's former Deputy Premier, the late Hon Tom Burns AO. Queensland Minister for Trade John Mickel announced the new scholarship in Vietnam and said his highly respected colleague would have been proud to have the scholarship established in his name.
(Media-Newswire.com) - DANANG: A new scholarship for Vietnamese students to study in Queensland will pay tribute to Queensland’s former Deputy Premier, the late Hon Tom Burns AO.
Queensland Minister for Trade John Mickel announced the new scholarship in Vietnam and said his highly respected colleague would have been proud to have the scholarship established in his name.
“The scholarship will be known as The Honourable Tom Burns AO Scholarship, in recognition of Mr Burns’ well-known contribution to Queensland-Vietnam relations. The work he accomplished as Queensland’s Special Representative to China and Vietnam was invaluable,” Mr Mickel said.
“The Queensland Government, through Trade Queensland and the Department of Education, Training and the Arts, will offer this new scholarship for a two-year tuition and accommodation fee waiver for one Vietnamese student to study in Queensland starting in 2009.
“This scholarship will greatly benefit the student and offer an opportunity to help reinforce Queensland’s growing position in Vietnam as a reliable and valuable provider of education services,” Mr Mickel said.
Queensland Minister for Education and Training Rod Welford said the one-off scholarship would cover tuition and home-stay costs.
“This scholarship is valued at around $50,000 over two years,” Mr Welford said.
“I’m pleased to say we already have two Vietnamese students studying at Brisbane state high schools – Kedron and Alexandra Hills – thanks to our Queensland Government Academic Scholarships, which were awarded last year.
“This new scholarship named in honour of the late Tom Burns, will further develop Queensland’s international education profile in Vietnam.”
The University of Queensland ( UQ ) will also provide almost $1 million in scholarships for five Vietnamese students to complete higher degree research in Australia.
Mr Mickel said the UQ scholarships were officially announced as part of a presentation to the Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to celebrate 35 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Australia and strengthen the relationship between The University of Queensland and the higher education sector of Vietnam.
“Each of these scholarships is worth an average of A$198 000 for a four-year higher degree or doctorate and will be known as the UQ 35 Year Commemorative Research Higher Degree Scholarship,” Mr Mickel said.
“These scholarships will aim to attract top-level PhD or MPhil candidates to undertake research in any of the six research centres of excellence located at The University of Queensland in study areas ranging from minerals research to immunology.
Mr Mickel toured the University of Danang – University of Queensland English Language Institute facilities and met with Ms Christine Bundesen, Director, University of Queensland Institute of Continuing and Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages Education.
Mr Mickel said English language courses were very popular among Vietnamese students wanting to be part of growing diplomatic and trade opportunities and a lucrative tourism market.
“The partnership between the University of Danang and the University of Queensland is proving successful in helping Vietnamese students to learn English.
“The establishment of the English Language Institute ( ELI ) is the first time there has been such co-operation between Vietnam and any other country – to develop an international standard English language institute in Danang City – the fourth largest city in the country.
“It is another great example of the Smart State exporting high-level education expertise and opportunities to the world,” Mr Mickel said.
The University of Danang – University of Queensland ELI currently delivers course training to over 270 students on a monthly basis. The institution has developed and delivered a significant number of customised training activities for government and corporate personnel, and undertakes bi-monthly International English Language Testing System ( IELTS ) test administration. The UD-UQ ELI is the only institution with such accreditation in Vietnam.
Minister Mickel’s office: Chris Brown 3237 1944 or Shannon Mackay 3237 1125
31 March 2008
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