Alison Jenkins, Director, International Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions, University of Queensland speaks to Brainfeed Higher Education Plus on the career prospects available for Indian students in Australia
- What are the career prospects available for Indian students in Australia?
India is currently Australia’s largest source of skilled migrants and there are attractive post-study work opportunities. The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) may be an option for students who graduate from an Australian bachelor degree, master’s by coursework degree, master’s by research degree or doctoral degree of at least two years’ duration in the six months before applying for the visa.
Students, who secure degrees from Australia’s elite Group of Eight universities, find themselves well placed not only in Australia, but globally. UQ qualifications are highly regarded by Australian and international employers. When a student leaves UQ, they become part of a global network of in-demand graduates who are creating change all over the world. In December 2017, UQ celebrated its 250,000th graduate joining its global alumni network, which includes approximately 13,800 PhDs and spans more than 170 countries.
- Why do you think students from India should choose the University of Queensland?
Indian students place great importance on global rankings. UQ not only ranks in the top 50 universities globally as measured by several key independent rankings, it also performs very highly when ranked by discipline or subject area. UQ has consistently performed well across these independent rankings for many years which is testament to the outstanding work of our academic, teaching and professional staff who strive to keep UQ placed among the top global universities and provide our students with a world-class education.
Our teachers share a passion for excellence in education, receiving more awards for University Teaching than any other Australian university. Many of our highly qualified academic staff is recognized internationally as leaders
in their fields and our students thrive off being in an environment where discoveries are made and encouraged. For example, UQ is at the forefront of technology development with UQ-developed technology used in two-thirds of the world’s MRI machines.
UQ is also attractive to Indian students for our range of more than 380 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes which is one of the most comprehensive in Australia. This provides students with choices to give them flexibility to meet their learning goals.
Students from India also choose UQ for its enviable study location. UQ has campuses located in and around Brisbane, the thriving capital city of Queensland, renowned for its livability, safety and affordability. Brisbane is the closest eastern seaboard capital city to Asia, and one of Australia’s fastest-growing cities that is rapidly attracting global talent, investment, emerging businesses and tech start-ups, and diverse industry sectors.
- How soon do you see Indian students warming up to the campus environment in the University of Queensland?
Our students from India have reported anecdotally that their time at UQ has developed them personally in ways that have surpassed their expectations. Beyond study, they have gained greater independence and confidence that has prepared them to face the future, made lifelong friends and discovered a vibrant and safe city that is the perfect home for study abroad.
For all our international students, it takes time to ‘warm up’ to the new environment. We understand that
travelling to a new country to attend university is a life changing decision, so the University provides a variety of support services to help international students feel at home even before they have left the comfort of their own home. At the start of each semester, there is an Orientation Week for all students. This week long event includes essential workshops and information sessions specifically for international students.
- What are the prerequisites for entry into a programme in the University of Queensland?
Depending on the programme (degree) a student is interested in, there are different and varying entry requirements. These include (but are not limited to):
- completed a previous qualification recognised by the University
- have passed prerequisite subjects for their chosen programme
- attained the required level of English language proficiency, and
- attained the minimum entry score or GPA required.
However if a student meets the academic pre-requisites for a programme but not the English language requirements they should not be discouraged as there are other pathways to enter their programme.
If a student needs further English language training, they can undertake an English language pathway at the Institute of Continuing and TESOL Education (ICTE-UQ), which is located at UQ’s main campus at St Lucia.This is a fantastic introduction to university life where students can improve on their English language skills, build their confidence and meet other international students.
Tell us about the university grants and scholarship options available for Indian students. Indian students are often eligible for many international scholarships offered, even if they aren’t specifically stated for Indian students.
The following scholarships are specifically for Indian students:
- School of Economics Scholarships
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences Scholarships
- India Global Leaders Scholarships
- The D.P. Singhal Visiting Scholarship
- Other international scholarships available to Indian students:
- Master of Leadership in Global Development International Scholarship
- TC Beirne School of Law International Scholarships
- Undergraduate scholarships
- Postgraduate scholarships
Is the University of Queensland collaborating with any of the Indian Universities in the field of Higher Education?
On 24 September 2018 UQ signed a historic agreement partnering with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) to launch a joint Academy of Research (UQIDAR). UQIDAR will pave the way for students and academics to partner on projects addressing some of the most pressing issues affecting India, Australia and global communities.
Supported by generous scholarship opportunities, the Academy of Research encourages students from India and Australia to take advantage of each other’s world-class facilities and resources, and to develop culturally diverse research networks. Open to all disciplines, the partnership will enable students to gain a global qualification from both IITD and UQ in four years.
The collaboration will involve strong industry linkages to strengthen the student experience and to build people-to-people links between Indian and Australian higher education sectors. In time, UQ and IITD hope that prominent research institutes in and around New Delhi will join the Academy as associate and industry partners. The Academy will allow for scale and sustainability. It is expected to graduate more than 360 students within the next 10 years. The UQIDAR aims to receive the first intake of PhD candidates in early 2019.
UQ also has several other prominent collaborations with Indian institutions. Centre for Plant Science Professor NeenaMitter – whose scientific journey began at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute – is behind an internationally recognised breakthrough in food security research. BioClay is an environmentally sustainable alternative to chemicals and pesticides. A single spray of BioClay protects the plant and then degrades, reducing the risk to the environment or human health.
UQ also works with India’s leading universities, private-sector organisations, and local institutions to provide sustainable energy solutions that are safe, reliable and, affordable. School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering Senior Lecturer Dr Anand Veeraragavan is part of the UQ Energy and Poverty Research Group, which conducts research across five areas: climate, community development, livelihoods, gender and equity, and the private sector. The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (ITT-M) alumnus specialises in energy systems for power generation, and has a particular interest in energy systems for power generation including solar thermal and solar photovoltaic technology development.
- What is the difference in education in India & Australia?
India and Australia have complementary strengths in higher education. Australian universities, including UQ, have increased their engagement with India over the past decade, fostering partnerships in research, education initiatives, joint publications, and student-staff exchanges.
India’s higher education landscape is large and complex, with over 760 universities that are run by various national public, state-owned, and privately owned and operated governing bodies. Indian universities, even elite institutions, do not feature in the top 100 universities in global rankings.
Australia’s higher education market although very small in comparison boasts a very high quality offering. While the country is home to only 39 universities, six of these institutions are ranked in the global top 100. Moreover, the system in Australia is highly regulated by the Australian Government in order to maintain high standards.
- What advice would you give to students who are willing to migrate but are sceptical because of the difference in study methodologies?
The Australian education system is practically orientated and students are assessed based on various methodologies. Students from India generally integrate very well in the Australian system and are able to showcase their skills and put their best foot forward.
MrDaniel Capper from UQ’s award winning Careers Service recently said that he has observed Indian students to be some of the most flexible, resilient and adaptable individuals studying at UQ. Indian students have displayed keen attributes that employers are looking for in their future employees such as willing to step outside their comfort zone and proactively seek new opportunities.
International students enjoy and appreciate the difference, they get the opportunity to do presentations, undertake research, and work on varied projects and hone other skills. Extra tutorials at no extra cost are provided to students with their learning. Students who come with an open mind and a willingness to engage will get the most out of their education in Australia.
