USQ to sign LOU with Australian Defence Force

The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) and Australian Defence Force (ADF) will sign a historic Letter of Understanding (LOU) at the University's Toowoomba campus on Thursday 10 August 2006.

As part of the agreement USQ will give ADF personnel access to a range of development pathways, through the University's award winning* distance education program.

USQ Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Graham Baker, said distance education was the ideal study mode for members of the ADF.

'USQ offers a variety of programs by distance that enables people to study when they want, where they want, in their style and in their time.

'These programs will be ideal for ADF personnel, as they will be able to complete their studies from anywhere in Australia or during deployment overseas.'

Two USQ faculties have also developed specific programs for the Defence Force.

'The Faculty of Business and the Faculty of Engineering and Surveying have developed specific articulation pathways for ADF personnel.

'Some of the programs that will available initially include a Postgraduate Diploma in Management, a Master of Project Management and a Master of Engineering Practice.

'We expect this partnership will be well received by ADF personnel and we look forward to a long, productive and strong relationship with the Defence Force.'

The LOU, which covers a period of five years, will also compliment Defence Force retention and transition initiatives.

'This initiative is part of the Australian Defence Force's Higher Education Advanced Standing Scheme.

'The ADFHEA is an important tool for them in the continued development of their workforce and we are pleased to be a part of this initiative.'

WHAT: USQ Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Graham Baker, will sign a LOU with Commodore Russ Baker and Lieutenant Commander Rod Cooper from the ADF.
WHERE: Vice-Chancellor's Conference Room, USQ Toowoomba
WHEN: Thursday 10 August 2006, 11am

Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media, +7 61 4631 1628, 0403 643 192

*USQ was awarded the Commonwealth of Learning Award of Excellence for Institutional Achievement at the third Pan-Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning, in July 2004. Other awards include the Joint Winner of the Good Universities Guides' University of the Year: 2000-2001 Award and in 1999, USQ won the Inaugural Award for Excellence from the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE), as a world leader in 'dual mode' (on-campus and off-campus) education.