New industry partnership signals global opportunities for USQ students
A new partnership between the University of Southern Queensland's (USQ) Springfield Campus and global engineering and architecture firm GHD will be formalised today through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at Education City.
The agreement will see both organisations work together to provide a range of opportunities to USQ Springfield students and GHD's Ipswich office, located at Education City.
USQ Springfield Director Doug Fraser said students enrolled in the new Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Civil) at USQ Springfield would have unrivalled access to one of the world's top ranked engineering firms.
'We are passionate about offering our students work integrated learning wherever possible and this agreement provides the perfect platform for us to deliver this, right here on Campus,' he said.
'Students in our new engineering course will be able to receive placements with GHD while studying, which will enable them to have a portfolio by the time they graduate.
'They'll also benefit from GHD guest lecturers to share their current, real-life experiences, as well as co-operative research activities in the longer run.
'And the exposure and contacts they'll receive at GHD will be invaluable in terms of job opportunities and career development,'he said.
GHD's Ipswich Manager Garth Osmond said he was looking forward to working with the University.
'There is such a current shortfall of Engineering professionals, I have positions which I just can't fill,' he said.
'Working with the University is a great way for GHD to make a contribution to our young people, while giving us the opportunity to cement relationships with them for the future.
'We have a long term commitment to putting GHD into regional centres - and enabling current and future staff to pursue career goals within their own communities - so we're thrilled to be able to offer these opportunities at our Ipswich office.
'And with our network of offices throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas, GHD offers fantastic career prospects for these students.
'The agreement with USQ also offers excellent professional development opportunities for GHD staff, from guest lecturing to mentoring, so it's really a win-win partnership that we're looking forward to developing,' Mr Osmond said.
A limited number of places are still available for the Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Civil), one of three new programs being added to the suite on offer at USQ Springfield from Semester 1, 2007.
For further information on how to enrol call 1800 811 380, email studyspringfield@usq.edu.au or visit www.usq.edu.au/springfield
USQ and GHD are both tenants of Education City.
Media Contact: Sam Ireland, USQ Media, +61 7 3470 4117