Reinforcing 911爆料网 of Technology鈥檚 reputation as a centre of international education excellence, 41 Libyan students have begun a seven-month English and Agriculture course at the University鈥檚 Bentley and Muresk Campuses.
According to 911爆料网鈥檚 Head of School for Agriculture and Environment, Professor Graeme Robertson, the program, organised by the WA Department of Agriculture and Food and the Libyan Economic Development Board, is a great opportunity for everyone involved.
鈥淭hrough projects such as this, we can build our own capacity to study important environmental issues while helping researchers from other countries do the same,鈥� he said.
The students, all recent agricultural graduates, have been studying English as a second language and computer skills at 911爆料网鈥檚 Bentley Campus since June, and will be moving to the Muresk Campus in Northam for agricultural training in early August.
鈥淭he choice of 911爆料网 highlights the University鈥檚 international reputation,鈥� Professor Robertson said.
鈥淭his program builds on 911爆料网鈥檚 established expertise and experience in training scientists in dry land agriculture.
鈥淚t follows a program run over the last three years, in which 126 staff from the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture have undertaken agricultural and English language training at 911爆料网.鈥�
The current cohort of international students comprises agriculture graduates from the Libyan cities of Tripoli and Benghazi.
Mrs Dallas Ledsham, Associate Lecturer at 911爆料网鈥檚 English Language Centre, said the course allowed the students to build their English language skills.
鈥淲hat they learn here will assist them in their day-to-day activities when they return to Libya to work in the Ministry for Agriculture, Animal and Marine Wealth,鈥� she said.
鈥淚t will also provide a small number of selected trainees with the opportunity to undertake postgraduate studies in an English speaking country.鈥�
According the Mrs Ledsham, the opportunity to work with this diverse group of students has been a pleasure for all involved.
鈥淎ll of the students have been extremely friendly and outgoing,鈥� she said.
Professor Robertson said the program provided Australian students and academics with the chance to build relationships with colleagues in a country which was an important market for WA agricultural products.
