TAFE Gold Coast

TAFE Queensland Shines at International Education Excellence Awards

Gold Coast Institute of TAFE is one of four TAFE Queensland Institutes to be recognised in the inaugural International Education
Excellence Awards.

The Chilean Technical Scholarship Pilot project was awarded the Best Practice/Innovation in International Education Award.

The pilot project involved four TAFE institutes working in collaboration with the VET Export Office, Queensland Education and Training International, and the Queensland Government-led negotiators.

In Chile, Xstrata Copper initiated its support for a mining program to be conducted at its Mount Isa operations.

Gold Coast Institute of TAFE chief executive officer, Deb Daly said 20 Chilean students were selected to undertake the Chilean Technical Scholarships Queensland Pilot in 2009.

"After 12 months of English and technical studies in mining and renewable energy, all students have successfully graduated with TAFE Queensland qualifications.

"The students have now returned to Chile to put their newly acquired skills into practice.

"The success of the pilot has led to a national program being brokered between TAFE Directors Australia and the Government of Chile,"
Ms Daly said.

Southbank Institute of Technology and Gold Coast TAFE delivered the English programs for the students with students graduating to
Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE to learn about renewable energy and Central Queensland TAFE's TAFE Queensland Mining Services
at Mt Isa to complete the mining component.

The Pilot program demonstrated best practice in international collaboration through high-level government-to-government negotiations that developed the agreement.

The International Education Excellence Awards are an initiative of the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) to recognise excellence in education practice and to celebrate the outstanding contribution of individuals and teams to Australia's reputation for quality and innovation in international education.