By Jason Oxenbridge
ENHANCED career development for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students was a driving factor behind an agreement between Griffith University and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Brokered by the Gumurrii Indigenous Unit at Nathan, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed by DFAT Deputy Secretary Paul Grigson and GUMURRII stakeholders.
The MoU was initiated by the head of Gumurrii Student Support Unit, Bronwyn Dillon, and former student Nick Williams, now a DFAT employee who spoke first hand of the benefits of collaboration.
Greater prospects are expected to arise in work experience, cadetships and traineeships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, while an ‘Aspire, Inspire, Achieve’ (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade — Gumurrii Student Support Unit) scholarship was also formed.
Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Marilyn McMeniman welcomed guests and outlined the advantages of the agreement, which also include research collaboration, participation in seminars and presentations and the engagement of DFAT visiting teaching staff within units of study offered by Gumurrii Student Support Unit.
A similar agreement exists between DFAT and the University of Canberra.