In praise of our alma mater and our benefactors

JANE AWI

QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY is truly a prestigious university with world class learning facilities and the best teaching staff who are leaders in their areas of expertise.

They have volumes of publications, research and corporate experiences that draw relationships to the real world and demonstrate how these theories and ideas contribute to shaping the society.

For me personally, as a postgraduate student this paradigm of learning and thinking is transforming because at the end of the day my success will be measured by my productivity and contribution to humanity.

I feel so privileged to attend QUT because I personally have had life transforming experiences with the opportunity to teach with the Drama Department at Kelvin Grove Campus and experience the teaching life whilst researching my PhD project and participating in an international collaborative research project under the leadership of my supervisors.

This is truly a remarkable experience because it prepares me to lead other young scholars and like mined people in my own country and the South Pacific Region when I return, I am so thankful for this opportunity.

I have also had the opportunity to meet other professional people in the corporate world through networks such as; the Lions Club through the Students Support Services and, Hear and Say Centre and Queensland Clinical Skills Development Learning Centre with Queensland Health, which has increased my capacity to network, share my research and cultural knowledge.

The contacts we have established as AusAID students with professional organizations and with other international students throughout our study life is a bank of wealth for life, we must utilize it to support each other to build a better and greater tomorrow.

Studying at a prestigious university like QUT could not have been possible without the kind generosity of the Australian people and Australian government in constant dialogue with the governments in our respective countries. 

Therefore, we thank the Australian people and the Australian government for establishing this developmental scholarship and also we thank the governments in our respective countries for embracing it. Now, what can you and I give back to our sponsors?

Remember, when we first received the AusAID scholarship back in our countries we were prepared to be great ambassadors of our country in Australia. We have fulfilled that throughout the duration of our study.

Likewise, QUT has given us the necessary tools to return to our country so let us be great ambassadors of QUT in translating QUT’s slogan, “University for the Real World”, in our profession by being practical people that lead others by example and build a better society for others and ourselves.

My friends, when you return your home countries there will so much expectation and challenges but do not give up hope.

Be persistent with humbleness and humility and gradually you will make an impact in your society.

We must be of service to the silent majorities, marginalized communities and unheard voices.

Jane Pumai Awi, a PhD Candidate in Creative Industry at the Queensland University of Technology, delivered this AusAID graduation speech on Wednesday 21 November

Comments

[Tine Ningal]

Well thought and written speech, proud of you. Many cheers and congrats :)