QUT Associate Dean International Andrew Paltridge and team member Ashleigh Burns, have won the Australian Business Dean Council award for Innovation and Excellence in International Education.
Mr Paltridge and Ms Burns were recognised for the creation of QUT’s Bachelor of Business International.
The four-year program, which was introduced in 2016, is designed to increase students’ international experiences and knowledge.
The program includes one year of international study experience to build on intercultural competencies. This is achieved by including a compulsory subject, Bridging Cultures, which introduces students to theories and models of intercultural skill development, prepares them for a year overseas, and incorporates experiential elements.
Mr Paltridge said the Bachelor of Business International was the first of its kind in Australia to include a compulsory element with a broad range of academic and professional development opportunities.
“It takes an innovative approach to enabling students to explore and attain international careers,” Mr Paltridge said.
The program was developed with four international opportunities including:
- Double degrees at one of four AACSB and EQUIS-accredited partner institutions
- Cultural immersion programs including language, culture and business studies with options in Asia, Europe and the Americas
- Special programs which include international internships, certificate and diploma programs and other professional development opportunities negotiated with partner schools
- Flexible exchange allowing students to develop programs to meet their own career goals including the option of undertaking studies partner schools
Students can undertake internships globally with groups such as German multinational software corporation SAP.
“Cultural immersion programs are so important for business students because understanding people is as important as understanding business,” Mr Paltridge said.
Media contact:
Madeline Healy, QUT Media, 3138 3083 or m5.healy@qut.edu.au
After hours, Rose Trapnell, QUT Media team leader, 0407 585 901, media@qut.edu.au
CRICOS No.: 00213J
