Please note that this is an on-going project.
Project Description
The Griffith Asia Institute aims to expose students to Asia by developing cultural, political, and economic understanding and awareness. The Griffith Asia Business Internship program, a 20 CP course, is designed to foster personal connections and professional networks across the Asia-Pacific region. The course adds breadth with a focus on digital capabilities, authentically navigating the new world of work and increasing employability to bolster graduate success. Opportunities to engage with Asia continued throughout COVID by pivoting to remote placements with host organisations across Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea and Malaysia alongside comprehensive online cultural activities, language classes and industry events.
This interdisciplinary global WIL course has been in operation for five years under the leadership of the Griffith Asia Institute and has included a remote option since 2020. Available destinations and industry partners have been growing year by year.
Project Personnel and Beneficiaries
Students and industry partners are key beneficiaries of GABI. As participant Reid Plehan highlighted: ‘I had a great experience with TIQ, the internship challenged me to trust in my learnt knowledge and helped me to develop my problem-solving skills through a practical output’.
In-direct beneficiaries include our Griffith Alumni in Asia and the wider community through which our interns contribute, especially through non-for-profit-organisations. As Crossroads Foundation in Hong Kong testified ‘We are thankful that Auguste is keen to continue her involvement even following her internship, as we will benefit from her insights. Thanks for Griffith University’s support with quality interns!’
Outcomes to Date
GABI’s focus is on providing opportunities for all students, independent of discipline, age, nationality, socio-economic background, or degree (UG or PG). It aims to successfully engage a diverse range of cohorts. In 2019 for example, GABI including students with disability, age ranges from 17 to 55 years as well as students who never travelled overseas.
Pivoting the program to a remote offering provided opportunities for a new group of students, particularly students with carer responsibilities, students from disadvantaged backgrounds, or who cannot leave Australia for extended periods leading to less inequality and economic growth through a strong focus on employability skills.
Project Significance
The GABI program is important as it connects Australia to the Asia-Pacific region through people to people connections and fostering the future generation of Asia ready leaders that will contribute to economic growth and connectivity.
Over 150 students participated in the program between 2018 and 2022,inlcluding remote global WIL placements in 2020 and 2021. The success of the program was also demonstrated by continued New Colombo Plan funding from the Australian government, including the availability of over 80 NCP grants of a total value of $250,000 in 2021.
Related Link
External link to https://www.griffith.edu.au/asia-institute/global-wil-internships