Toowoomba welcomes USQ international students

USQ’s international students were welcomed to the Toowoomba community at a lunch at Toowoomba City Hall in May.

TRC Mayor, Peter Taylor joins USQ staff and students to welcome international students to the city

USQ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Bill Lovegrove and Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor, Peter Taylor were joined by senior USQ staff, student support officers and Regional Councillors to meet some of USQ’s international students.

“USQ was started by its community for its community,” Professor Lovegrove said.

'We are welcoming our international students into the communities where USQ operates and we can learn from each other.'

Mr Carl Rallings, USQ’s Pro Vice-Chancellor (Student Management) said that events like this enhanced the strong relationship between the University and the Regional Council.

'USQ has about 400 new international students starting each year and a total of 1500 international students from 80 countries studying in Toowoomba,' Mr Rallings said.

'This is a good opportunity to welcome these students to the community as they enrich the multicultural fabric to Toowoomba.'

Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor, Peter Taylor welcomed the students and encouraged them to engage in the Toowoomba community and to invite their friends and family to visit.

USQ’s international students can attend many social events to help them settle into their life in Toowoomba and as a university student.

In a recent International Student Barometer National Report (2010) USQ was ranked number one in Australian universities for student support with 92.4% satisfaction rating.

Ms Alessandra Mecozzi, an international student studying her PhD with USQ Toowoomba said USQ’s support had been beneficial.

'USQ staff met me at the airport when I first arrived in the country – that was a very good way to start,' Ms Mecozzi said.

'Toowoomba is a friendly community, there are lots of clubs to be involved in and I am very happy to be here.'

Future Toowoomba Regional Council/USQ events for international students are being planned.

Additional information for USQ International is available at http://www.usq.edu.au/international/

Contact Details:
Sam Tickell, USQ Media ,+61 7 4631 2559