Students from Non-English Speaking Backgrounds

USQ Services for Students from Non-English Speaking Backgrounds (NESB) students

 USQ has a range of services available to international students http://www.usq.edu.au/international

For domestic Australian NESB students from Non-English Speaking Backgrounds, the following services are available.  

Multicultural and Multilingual Student Association is a student organisation that supports NESB students.  http://www.usq.edu.au/multicultural/supports/mmsa 

USQ Multifaith Centre supports the diverse religious life of USQ and provides access to chaplains from a range of faiths. http://www.usq.edu.au/multicultural/religion

The USQ Multicultural Centre provides assistance, advice, support and information to all members of the University community on all matters relating to multiculturalism. http://www.usq.edu.au/multicultural

The Open Access College provides preparatory on-campus and distance courses and programs of study to international and domestic students that will provide them with the language and academic communication skills needed to successfully participate in tertiary study in Australian Institutions.  http://www.usq.edu.au/oac 

 In particular, the Open Access College offers:

• Tertiary Preparation Program for NESB students (TPPNESB);
• Support to students from refugee backgrounds through the activities of its African Project Support Officer.     

Research supporting improved services to students from refugee backgrounds - Sudan Paper.

Advice on these programs can be obtained from Mrs Jessamyn Clarke, Ph: (07) 4631 2776.

The Student Equity Office provides advice to students and supports the University in ensuring fair access and participation for all Australians in higher education. http://www.usq.edu.au/current-students/support/student-equity

Policies supporting service provision to NESB students include the following:

• USQ was the first university in Australia to adopt a Policy on Multiculturalism (1.2.1).http://policy.usq.edu.au/portal/custom/detail/multiculturalism/
• USQ Equity in Education Policy (1.2.2). http://policy.usq.edu.au/portal/custom/detail/equity-in-education/index.html
• Antidiscrimination and Freedom from Harassment Policy (C2). http://policy.usq.edu.au/portal/custom/detail/anti-discrimination-and-freedom-from-harassment/
• As part of the USQ Social Justice Committee Framework, USQ maintains a Multicultural and Transnational Advisory Committee to advise the University on all multicultural matters. http://www.usq.edu.au/multicultural/supports/mtacommittee

USQ also supports the Multicultural Staff Network.  http://www.usq.edu.au/multicultural/supports/multiculturalstaff

For more information please contact William Conwell, Manager, Multicultural Centre.