Twelve QUT students have been selected to represent the university in Japan as part of an immersive work placement program under the New Colombo Plan (NCP).
The NCP venture between Mitsui & Co. in Tokyo and QUT will allow students to gain real-world knowledge through course-related work experience.
Mayleah House, a current Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) student, is one of the twelve participants from QUT who said it is a huge privilege to act as an ambassador for Australia under the NCP.
“I am really looking forward to having the opportunity to learn more about a company (Mitsui & Co.) that is so large on the international scale and has ties all over the world. To see the inner workings of what they do will be not only be applicable to my studies now, but is also a great advantage if I choose to live and work overseas in the future.
“In the program we will have the opportunity to meet with a range of Mitsui & Co. clients and how they interact so that is going to be an exciting opportunity to see the work that they do and how they liaise from a trade perspective,” Ms House said.
QUT International Executive Director, Tze Ay Chuah, said the students would be able to develop insights into the intricacies of international business and trade through industry visits to multinational companies such as Toyota, Fijitsu, and Kimitsu Steel Mill.
“Mitsui Educational Foundation run by Mitsui & Co. (Australia) Ltd. has a longstanding history of supporting and empowering QUT students through unique study tours of Japan. QUT is excited to collaborate with Mitsui & Co., one of the inaugural NCP Business Champions announced by the Hon Julie Bishop in July 2014. This NCP program will support our future leaders across law, business and information technology,” Ms Chuah said.
“Our partnership with Mitsui & Co highlights the value of regional study to students’ career prospects by encouraging professional networking, developing their cross-cultural competency, and by providing opportunities to test their skills in real life scenarios in the Tokyo corporate setting.”
Ms House said she will continue to support Mitsui & Co.’s relationship with QUT even after her work placement ends.
“I am passionate about staying connected with my QUT colleagues through Mitsui & Co.’s alumni networks as I have no doubt that this will be one of the most rewarding work experience opportunities in my career.”
The New Colombo Plan is a key initiative of the Australian Government which supports Australian undergraduates to study and complete internships in the Indo-Pacific region. The value of this is two-fold, students improve their career prospects by studying in the region, and have the opportunity to network with international businesses.
Visit the New Colombo Plan website for more information.
Media contact: Rose Trapnell, QUT media team leader, 07 3138 2361 or 0407 585 901 rose.trapnell@qut.edu.au
