Melbourne plays host for StudyLink Cup

In celebration of the Osaka-Melbourne sister city relationship and the Japan-Australia Year of Exchange, university students of both countries recently went head to head on the soccer pitch.

The StudyLink Cup involved a team of 18 Japanese university students, based in and around Osaka, flying to Melbourne for a soccer tour of several local universities.The team were selected by and flight tickets sponsored by the Kansai Students Soccer Federation.

The RMIT University hosted the Japanese team as they played the RMIT Redbacks, the University of Melbourne team, and the budding national team-members of the Victorian Institute of Sport.

RMIT provided accommodation for the visitors and, with 200 of the university’s students learning Japanese, there was no shortage of people to host, guide and socialise with the team. The school also invited the team into their language class to enjoy a discussion about soccer and the recent World Cup. Melbourne City sponsored a lunch for the students at Melbourne Town Hall.

The Japanese team won all 3 games: 1-0, 2-1, and 6-1 to take the StudyLink Cup home to Osaka. APU Ritsumeikan University sponsored the event.

StudyLink organised the inaugural tournament to promote sport, language and cultural exchange. StudyLink CEO Jason Howard said: “We’re committed to bringing students together and promoting understanding through education. What better way to initiate this than through sport?”

If you’re interested in studying at RMIT or another institution in Melbourne, contact a counsellor. For information on the StudyLink Cup in Japanese, visit StudyLink's web page on the StudyLink Cup.

“S stands for SUPERB and that’s what is named as StudyLink”

The future is simply infinite possibility waiting to happen. What it waits on is human imagination to crystallize its possibility and for me it was StudyLink's Mrs. Deepti Dhamija (Assistant Manager, Counselling Services, India) who helped me to imagine bigger and now is doing her best to make my imagination a real truth.

Amongst hundreds of career counselling companies, my experience with StudyLink was just like a dream come true. Before joining hands with StudyLink I came across various companies but no one responded to me like them, and for this the credit goes to Mrs. Deepti Dhamija. She was able to convince me to join their company and the way she did so impressed me a lot moreover all the commitments she made with me regarding the services which their company will be providing to me through her were also fulfilled whole heartedly. At present my case is on the mid-way of completion but I am sure that, like till today, their quality of service is excellent, it will be the same in future also. The way StudyLink help the students by arranging online chatting sessions with the universities, so that the students can come up with all their queries regarding education system and all, in the concerned university has also proved to be a successful idea as it help the students a lot...

What else can be said for StudyLink and its MIND-BLOWING services?
…in short it can be rightly said that StudyLink is rocking as no one provides you with this much help and effort without any charges, simply free of cost. I am very much delighted to be a part of this company. My best wishes are with StudyLink. Hope they’ll prosper and become the number one career counselling company in the world so that everyone can be able to get the maximum and the best out of their life with the help of StudyLink.

My special thanks to Deepti Mam.

VIVEK (India)

To contact Deepti or one of StudyLink’s other counsellors, please use our online enquiry form. We look forward to hearing from you and to helping you with your study plans.

Don’t miss out on your course of choice

Australia – The next term you can apply for starts in February/March 2007. The application deadline for most courses is in October; however, we encourage you to apply early for best consideration. Keep in mind that you do not need to scan and attach your documents, a counsellor can do this for you. Contact a counsellor for assistance with selecting a course or completing your applications.

If you are starting your studies in Australia in July/August 2006, we’d like to remind you that StudyLink will send a free Lonely Planet Australia guidebook worth AU$47.95 to any student who submitted an application through one of our sites, enrolled for the July 2006 intake and sends us a copy of their Confirmation of Enrolment form by email or fax on +61 2 9438 4285.

US – The next term you can apply for starts in January/February of 2007 for most institutions. English language schools allow students to start throughout the year. Application deadlines vary and we encourage you to apply early for best consideration. Keep in mind that you do not need to scan and attach your documents, a counsellor can do this for you. Contact a counsellor for assistance with selecting a course or completing your applications.

UK – Applications are still open for some courses starting in September 2006. If you are interested in September 2006 studies, contact a counsellor to see if it is still possible for you to apply for your chosen course.

Start thinking now about applying for 2007. Our counsellors are happy to help you find a course and institution to meet your background and interests. Contact a counsellor to discuss your study plans.

University of Southern Queensland (Australia) recognised for their contribution to learning

The University of Southern Queensland’s strong emphasis on student learning has been recognised at the prestigious Carrick Awards for Australian University Teaching.

Three individuals and two teams of USQ Academics were awarded Carrick Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning.

The Carrick Citations, each valued at $10,000, are granted to people who have made a significant contribution to the quality of student learning in a specific area of responsibility over a sustained period.

USQ Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Scholarship) Professor Graham Baker said the university was pleased with this achievement and hoped to continue its success with four nominees being considered for the Awards for Australian University Teaching later in the year.

“It is worth noting that the Citations have been received by staff working at all levels, from those specialising in the needs of commencing first year students, to those meeting the needs of undergraduates in specialist areas such as nursing and engineering, right through to those specialising in supporting postgraduate students,” Mr Baker said.

The university’s individual winners include:
Dr Lorelle Burton - For excellence in developing nationally recognised teaching practices and resources that inspire first-year students to actively engage in learning processes and develop critical thinking skills.
Ms Lyn Brodie, Associate Professor John Worden, Associate Professor Mark Porter, Mr Peter Gibbings – For designing and delivering Educating Engineers for the 21st Century, the world's first problem-based learning course for distance engineering students.
Associate Professor Andrew Hoey - For sustaining excellence and facilitating an effective learning environment by providing context and demonstrating relevance for biomedical and nursing students.
Professor Gerard Fogarty - For 18 years' sustained commitment to enhancing training standards, teaching quality, and research supervision in departments and schools of psychology across Australia.

Contact a counsellor to find out about studying at USQ.

Vancouver Community College culinary arts graduate named Canada's Next Great Chef

Vancouver Community College graduate Laura Sharpe recently won the Canadian national title of Next Great Chef through the reality TV show of the same name.

Ms Sharpe, 22, won over the judges with her hard work, superior technique, taste, and presentation in the finale. Her winning menu included an appetizer of roasted quail breast with foie gras torchon, followed by sous-vide flat iron steak with crab and fennel ravioli, and an array of creative lemon desserts to finish.

Prior to enrolling in the college’s acclaimed culinary arts program in 2001, Ms Sharpe had been working in the industry for 18 months. However, it was at VCC that she learned the techniques and discipline essential to a chef’s success.

Ms Sharpe said VCC taught her the basic skills and honed her talent. “I really enjoyed the program; the instructors were great.”

VCC chef and culinary arts department head Harald Bonkowski praised Sharpe's commitment, which helped her win a British Columbia Skills Canada gold medal while attending VCC.

"Even as a student, she demonstrated intense enthusiasm towards culinary competition," said Mr Bonkowski. "She was a great student who showed a remarkable passion for her studies —an inspiration to her instructors."

To learn more about VCC or its culinary arts courses, contact a counsellor.

Kingston University (UK) staff member recognised as a leader in the world space community

The International Space University has recently appointed Kingston principal astronautics lecturer, Dr Chris Welch, to a leading role within the institution.

Highly regarded in the space community for his expertise in astronautics and space technology, Dr Welch is the only British expert to have been selected as a faculty member of the International Space University in the past decade.

Dr Welch described his appointment as a tremendous honour which would ensure Kingston University remained at the forefront of space-related education in the United Kingdom. “I am very excited at the prospect of having greater input into the running of such an intercultural and interdisciplinary institution, which draws together professionals and students from all backgrounds and cultures.”

The International Space University provides graduate-level training at its central campus in Strasbourg, France, and at locations around the globe. It specialises in disciplines ranging from space science and systems engineering to policy and legislation. Agencies such as NASA and the European Space Agency are heavily involved in its programmes.

Kingston University is the only affiliate of the International Space University in the United Kingdom.

Contact a counsellor to find out about studying at Kingston University or other institutions involved in space-related education.