Pakistan High Commissioner visits USQ

The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) was delighted to host a visit by the High Commissioner for Pakistan in Australia, His Excellency Jalil Abbas Jilani and Mrs Jilani today (Wednesday 31 October 2007).

Organised as part of his first visit to Queensland, His Excellency met with USQ Vice Chancellor Professor Bill Lovegrove, Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Graham Baker and Acting Dean of Engineering, Associate Professor Ron Ayres.

'The focus of this visit is to meet with the Vice Chancellor, students from Pakistan and see the facilities of the University,' His Excellency said.

Education was an area of interest for the High Commissioner's visit to Queensland, spending time at two other universities before travelling to USQ.

'Education is one of the priority areas for Pakistan,' he said.

'Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has offered 500 scholarships for students to study at Australian universities.'

His Excellency was particularly interested in USQ's Engineering and Surveying faculty, spending time there during his visit.

'A lot of engineering development has taken place in Pakistan recently and there are areas of industrialisation,' His Excellency said.

'We require more graduates as far as engineering is concerned.'

Vice Chancellor Bill Lovegrove said the Commissioner's visit was important to strengthen the University's links with Pakistan.

'USQ is very much an international university, both in terms of attracting students and teaching offshore,' he said.

'Pakistan is a large country looking to expand their education links and looking to form partnerships with international universities.'

Professor Lovegrove was pleased His Excellency chose USQ as one of the three universities to visit.

'It says a lot about our reputation beyond the region,' he said.

Two USQ students from Pakistan, Tarek Khatri and Barosh Khan, met with the High Commissioner and discussed their experiences.

His Excellency also toured the Distance Education Centre as part of his visit. Mrs Jilani was provided with a tour of the Japanese Garden and listened to a presentation on cultures by Rhonda Hagan in the Learning and Teaching Support Unit.

Media Contact: Jane Urquhart USQ Media +61 7 4631 2559