Dr Errol Vieth of the Faculty of Informatics & Communication (pictured below left) recently attended the first meeting of the management group of CMS’ Centre for Intercultural Pedagogy and Learning (CIPL) for 2005, held in Melbourne.

The Centre was established to encourage research into intercultural teaching and learning, exploiting the Australian International Campuses’ unique concentration of international students.

The management group is chaired by Professor Paul Rodan (pictured right), General Manager Academic Programs for the AICs, and the Centre operates under the day to day directorship of Professor Ross Lehman (based at the Sydney campus).

CIPL seeks research funding for a range of projects, and already, a CQU Teaching & Learning Grant has been secured to explore the facilitation of second language comprehension of academic texts at CQU. Recent applications have been submitted for an IELTS Australia research grant.

Special attention is focussed on assisting AIC staff in securing publication outlets for their research findings which focus on issues relevant to the international student experience.

Two AIC staff recently completed Professional Doctorates, with one graduating last May and the other to do so in September. Two other staff are continuing with Prof Doc studies and one staff member has recently had her EdD thesis passed.

CIPL also has a keen interest in collaborative ventures with CQU colleagues and this will be an agenda item for a future meeting.