Recently Dr Patrick Keleher was one of eight international keynote speakers from organisations and universities in China, Spain, Australia, and the Philippines to deliver a keynote presentation at the inaugural Symposium on Active Learning for Global Professional Engineers in Beijing.

This symposium was led by Aston University (UK) and Beijing University of Technology* and was held at the Beijing University of Technology. CQUniversity was the only Australian university represented with a keynote speaker at the symposium.

Dr Patrick Keleher focussed upon his research into authentic learning strategies relating to Work Integrated Learning

This event was well attended by 126 delegates from a range of universities across the world and interested companies from China.

Dr Keleher's keynote presentation focussed upon his research into authentic learning strategies relating to Work Integrated Learning, with an emphasis upon professional and technical competency development of engineers so they graduate with the skill base and experience to be competent and confident global practitioners.

The two-day symposium of keynote presentations and workshops provided the platform for an international exchange of innovative ideas and discussion of current and future practices.

Dr Keleher said this was an excellent opportunity to champion the established reputation of CQUniversity's undergraduate and postgraduate engineering programs and to promote the success of CQUniversity's Work Integrated Learning focus, across many disciplines, in order to meet employers' needs and in addressing ongoing skill shortages.

* Beijing University of Technology, as a centre for Engineering Education Excellence, has a national reputation for innovation and expertise. Aston University ranks as the top 17^th (of the 115) of UK higher education institutions, according to The Complete University Guide 2011.