CQUniversity Sydney Campus recently hosted the Annual Dr Martand Joshi Memorial Lecture, titled ‘Engaging the Student of the Future'.

The function recognised the outstanding contribution made by Dr Joshi in promoting international education, intercultural learning and understanding in Australia.

Dominic Thurbon delivers the guest lecture

Story by Chris Keane

As former International Cultural Advisor and Honorary Consul of India, Dr Joshi was a familiar face around the CQUniversity metropolitan campuses. His engaging manner and helpful advice enabled many new international students to adjust to study and life in urban Australia.

In honour of Dr Joshi's memory, world top-10 speaker and debater Dominic Thurbon was invited to address the audience. On hand to listen was Dr Joshi's wife Zofia and daughter Suman, senior C Management Services (campus management) company executives, Sydney Campus Director Susan Loomes, education industry representatives, teaching and administrative staff.

The late Martand Joshi

Dominic's theatrical performance and delivery quickly won over the audience. A mix of speculative inquiry, humour and factual content were all used to good effect.

Buzzing with big ideas and concepts, the talk touched on numerous social and educational issues, including the information technology revolution, generation Y change, the business world, the knowledge economy and the learning expectations of global students in a rapidly changing world.

Thurbon emphasised that in order to motivate the 21st century student, teachers had to go beyond simply imparting their specialised knowledge. The real challenge for the future was to deliver knowledge using innovative teaching strategies aimed at engaging, capturing and entertaining students.

In concluding his presentation, Dominic invited teachers and educators to cogitate upon three key learning principles; interactive learning, creativity and collaboration.

Following a round of thought-provoking questions from the audience, the function concluded with a staff and student award presentation ceremony. The awards were presented by Zofia and Suman Joshi.

The student award for outstanding academic achievement in 2010 was presented to Gold Coast student Anand Dipak Panchal. The staff award for scholarly contribution to the International Education Research Centre went to Ritesh Chugh.