By Victor Gotevbe and Nathaniel Gotevbe
Lagos: On Tuesday,April 17, 2018 witnessed the gathering of students, parents, counsellors and other individuals interested in finding out more information about studying and living in Australia from representatives of Australia’s leading universities at the Australia Future Unlimited Education Exhibition at Eko Hotel, Lagos. The exhibition was organized by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade).
Prior to the Exhibition, Mr. Paul Lehmann, Australia’s High Commissioner to Nigeria in a press release from the Australian High Commission had encouraged the general public interested in Australian Education to attend and also find out why Australia is becoming an increasingly popular destination for Nigerian students. He mentioned:
“We are extremely pleased that Nigerian students will have this opportunity to engage directly with some of Australia’s leading universities and institutions in Lagos and Abuja”.
Lehman added: “Australian institutions are amongst the leading education institutions in the world in many fields including Mining, Engineering, Agriculture, Public Health, Business, Science, Law and Hospitality, and with a diverse range of institutions present at this exhibition we believe students interested in postgraduate and undergraduate studies in particular, will find the exhibition worthwhile”.
The Exhibition showcased how prospective students can tap into Australia’s high quality education with internationally recognised qualifications and high graduate employability. Also, how students are eligible to apply for a 2 year work permit after graduating from their undergraduate or postgraduate degree programs to remain and work full time in Australia; how most students are eligible to work part time and full time during studies and vacations respectively. It emphasized the fact that Australia is a great tourist destination offering students a unique environment to succeed academically and improve their social life. Even the latest Economist Intelligence Unit Survey confirms that 5 of the top 20 most liveable cities in the world are in Australia.
Some of the universities and institutions represented in Lagos include Bond University, Central Queensland University, Charles Sturt University Study Centres, Deakin University, Edith Cowan University, Edith Cowan College, Engineering Institute of Technology, Flinders International Study Centre, Flinders University, Griffith University, Macquarie University, Monash University, Murdoch University, Navitas Australia, RMIT University, Taylors College Perth, Trade and Investment Queensland, University of New England, University of New South Wales, University of Queensland, University of Western Australia, and Western Sydney University.
Also present at the exhibition were the Australia Alumni Association of Nigeria and representative of the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs, providing information and guidance on the student visa application process.
Students came in droves and had the opportunity of engaging with the representatives of the universities present. Talking with some of the students, show they found answers to their enquiries. A good number of them left with detailed informational materials such as students prospectus, leaflets and other documents containing relevant information. The Abuja Exhibition will take place tomorrow, April 19,2018 at Sheraton Abuja Hotel.
