Flinders International was a hive of activity last week as it hosted 120 academic and professional staff for the International Service Expo, enabling staff to meet international teams, put names to faces, and have all their questions answered at the new student-centred Flinders International workspace.
The Flinders International team moved into the Student Hub in October, co-locating portfolio staff from several offices across Bedford Park campus into one student-facing location in the heart of campus – with the goal to improve the delivery of student services.
Showcasing the breadth of Flinders International, the expo was an excellent step towards international college roadshows and service workshops scheduled for 2020. Feedback from participants indicated the expo was a great success.
Dr Voula Gaganis, Senior Lecturer, Teaching Specialist in Physiology College of Medicine & Public Health said the event was an eye-opening experience for her. “Many people would be surprised to learn there are many teams in the International Portfolio who support academics and researchers in delivering international teaching programs and engaging overseas students in learning exchanges and research higher degrees.”
She also commented on the beautiful art display, In The Frame, which was a revealing and honest reflection of the excitement and nervous anticipation of international students when coming to Flinders.
Those who attended the expo followed the journey and touchpoints of an international student, and took advantage of opportunities to speak to staff from Flinders International teams across recruitment, Australia Awards and sponsor relations, admissions, quality and compliance, partnerships and more.
Vice-President and Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) Sebastian Raneskold was pleased with the day and the strong engagement of participants.
“I’d like to thank all staff who attended, it was a wonderful opportunity to build on our understanding of some of the most important, and the least understood, topics for staff, and broaden university knowledge on all things international.
“Our new home is a brilliant location for our International Students, and for those students seeking to study abroad. Key to this project was bringing our Flinders International services to a prominent location, at the heart of the campus, with a single reception desk to access the full Flinders international service support staff. The expo was a perfect way to demonstrate our full service offerings to our colleagues and enable them to meet our teams.”
Copies of the newly created Flinders International Service Guide brochure were available at the event, which will also be distributed at next year’s college roadshows.
Congratulations to Mrs Jordana Maio, Associate Lecturer in Speech Pathology from the College of Nursing & Health Sciences, who won the $200 STA Travel Voucher on offer as an expo prize.