Graduate./.Student Forum
Objective
In May 2009 AFAS Victoria held a get-together of recent graduates and current tertiary students who shared some background in science and technology and an interest in France. The aim of this
gathering was to establish a basis for future similar functions to be organised by AFAS Victoria, with the intention of maintaining and further developing ties.
As efforts towards this objective proceed, this web page is intended to become the focus for activities involving graduate and student members and their contacts.
Items of Interest
On 6 October 2009, the French Ambassador to Australia signed two Memoranda of Understanding with Australian universities in relation to cooperative professional development for undergraduate and post-graduate students.
With the signing of these agreements, two initiatives were launched.
- Mutual Recognition of Qualifications
The first agreement, between Universities Australia (the body representing 38 Australian universities) and the French Embassy (representing the association of French universities), is the culmination of five years' working together on defining the scope of the initiative,
the first of its kind in Australia. It provides a framework for the mutual recognition of periods of study and designated higher degrees, for the purpose of facilitating shared study at the respective higher-education institutions of each country.
- French Corporate Internships
The second agreement, between the French Embassy and the Universities of Sydney, New South Wales, Melbourne and Adelaide, together with Monash University, provides a basis for Australian students to undertake internships
with each of ten French multi-national companies established in Australia. Half of each internship is intended to take place in Australia, and the other half in France at the headquarters of the company or one of its branches.
The objective is to encourage the mobility of Australian students and to give them the opportunity to gain professional experience in French companies. The program will also provide French companies with the opportunity
to identify prospective managers with a good knowledge of France.
The ten French companies involved are EADS (Airbus/Australian Aerospace), Thales, Turbomeca, Suez Degrémont, BNP Paribas Australia, Alstom, Areva T&D, Veolia Transport, Total and Altios International.
For further details, please  click here.
International Work Experience
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For students in the latter years of a technical degree course wishing to gain experience relevant to their studies, the International Association for the Exchange of
Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE), provides access to paid, course-related, technical training abroad. IAESTE is an independent, non-political,
non-governmental organisation maintaining consultative or operational relationships with various agencies of the United Nations
including UNESCO and UNIDO. Its mission is to operate a high-quality, practical training-exchange program between members
in order to enhance technical and professional development and to promote international understanding and goodwill amongst students, academic institutions, employers and the wider community.
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The local affiliate, IAESTE Australia is hosted by Swinburne University of Technology on behalf of all Australian Universities.
Students wishing to obtain more information regarding the international opportunities offered by IAESTE Australia should refer to its website at www.swinburne.edu.au/iaeste.
Study in Europe
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The European Commission operates a web portal called Study in Europe to promote the attractiveness of European Higher
Education to students from other parts of the world. The portal, at
ec.europa.eu/education/study-in-europe, provides clear and up-to-date information about the range of courses on offer in European higher-education institutions,
admission procedures, costs, scholarships and the higher education environment in Europe. Potential students will find
help to decide which country they should go to, which university they should choose, what they may need before they leave home and what
will happen when they arrive at their chosen campus.
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Additionally, the Delegation of the European Community in Canberra, has established a supplementary
Study in Europe site which is adapted to respond to the common queries of Australian students and researchers.
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Study in Europe covers thirty-two European countries, their universities and what it takes to live and study
in them. Ján Figel, European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, has said: "European higher
education offers outstanding quality, diversity and opportunity. Europe has a world-wide reputation as a centre of excellence in
learning, and the Study in Europe project will make it easier for potential students around the world to see all that European
higher education has to offer." |
French Study Tours
In support of its partner FEAST-France, AFAS Victoria annually awards up to three post-doctoral Fellowships, embodying a grant of up to $5000 for a study tour to France.
For details, please refer to the FEAST-France page of this website
Double Master Degree in Translation Studies
By virtue of an agreement between Monash University in Melbourne and Jean Moulin University in Lyon, France, a double degree at the Master level is now available
in Translation Studies (French/English). The new double Master is aimed at both French and Australian students, with the objective of training future translators
to work in both language directions, English-to-French and French-to-English. Courses commenced in July 2009, with the first year of each course to be
conducted at Monash University, and the second in Lyon. Course units are to be taught collaboratively by academics and by professional translators, and are to entail
both theoretical and practical components.
For further details, please refer to the Monash University website.
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