AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF THEOLOGY
campusreview. com. au international education in their career, including the first step – getting a job. But what do employers think? Are today’ s graduates meeting the needs of the workforce? Or perhaps the question we should ask is, are employers getting the right quality graduates to help drive their organisations towards a greater height by being innovative and productive?
I commend the effort of the sector in taking employability seriously and implore it not to forget the role of alumni, especially fresh graduates who have experienced the process of landing a job firsthand and are, potentially, on their way towards a successful career.
That said, the sector needs to be more innovative to provide quality, no doubt. There is a need for a Google Mindset – the sector needs to be a bit more courageous. It is interesting that international students are often encouraged to‘ stand out of their comfort zone’ to‘ integrate more with the local community’. We are ready. That is why we are here, far away from our home, to experience challenges in our daily life.
Institutions often break down the higher education process into stages such as recruitment, orientation, study and graduation. Bear in mind that a student is a human, not a product. Where quality outcomes are concerned, let’ s reiterate the importance of attracting the right students in the first place. A student who may not perform well in institution A, may perform extremely well in institution B, due to factors such as campus environment and curriculum. Do not underestimate the role of a scholarship program either. Often, the traffic and competition that has been created as a result of students competing for a scholarship program will define the quality of a talent pool.
Institutions must also be reminded about the importance of value proposition, which should define the brand proposition of an institution.
We also need more collaboration within the student community, both on campus and off campus, in and outside of Australia. We need more perspectives and ideas from a diverse talent pool, without forgetting that international students are often a great asset. This will help tackle the issue of integration between domestic and international students. Often, innovation and creativity come as a result of collaboration and an exchange of ideas. Only a vibrant student community will ensure success and quality, hence a sustainable future for the sector and a prosperous society.
In short, students need to play a role in defining quality. Students need to be provided greater freedom and flexibility to drive innovation. Modern democratisation is needed in today’ s education system, where students can play a key role in defining their quality experience whilst studying. n
Thomson Ch’ ng is the national president of the Council of International Students Australia. He will step down from this position in July.
AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF THEOLOGY
Media Release
The Reverend Dr Mark Harding, Dean and Chief Executive Officer of the Australian College of Theology has announced his retirement, effective 1 July 2016.
Dr Harding has served the ACT for 20 years and in that time has led the ACT through a period of extraordinary change. Providentially, he brought to the position just the right skills for the ACT to meet the challenges of a new era in its 120 year history, its inclusion of colleges beyond its Anglican roots and in due course the securing of self-accrediting authority for the ACT ' s awards.
Humbly and diligently he has developed a highly competent ACT team, commanding respect amongst the affiliated colleges teaching ACT ' s awards, and earning the esteem of the government agencies whose regulatory requirements have been at the core of his contribution.
Despite the increasing pressures of leading an institution and consortium that now has over 3,000 students, he maintained his scholarly interests and authored or edited several books and a dozen journal articles and equivalents. He is renowned for the clarity of his thinking and speaking, especially in response to matters that relate to the governance and performance of the ACT consortium. He has epitomised the principles of Christian leadership, caring for the welfare of his staff and colleagues, and ever-willing to consider issues from various viewpoints whilst remaining candid and resourceful. Undoubtedly he has laid a sound foundation for the future, enabling the consortium to equip people for service to God and the community.
On receiving Mark ' s resignation the Board declared its appreciation for Mark ' s leadership and expressed its best wishes for the next 12 months, and in retirement thereafter trusts that God will continue to bless and keep both he and Sue and their family.
Shortly the Board of the ACT will commence the process for appointing a successor.
Richard Cardew Chair, On behalf of the Board of the Australian College of Theology
Australian College of Theology Limited Level 10, 257 Clarence Street, SYDNEY NSW 2000 Australia ph(+ 61 2) 9262 7890 fax( 61 2) 9262 7290 email info @ actheology. edu. au web www. actheology. edu. au abn 88 869 962 393 acn 127 429 083
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