Canadian High Commissioner visits UOW in the name of education

Oct 11, 2005

The challenges and opportunities confronting education in Australia and Canada were a hot topic of conversation yesterday (Monday 10 October) when UOW held a conference on learning in new times.

Canadian High Commissioner to Australia, Mr Michael Leir, was a special guest at the conference which was presented by The Centre for Canadian-Australian Studies and the Faculty of Education’s Learning and the Learner Research Group.

The conference focussed on diversity and multiculturalism in education in Australia and Canada as well as the use of technologies in education and included an audience of UOW students and representatives from the Catholic Education office and the Department of Education and Training.

The conference featured Pro Vice-Chancellor (Operations), Professor John Patterson, Professor Marion Porath from the University of British Columbia who presented a Canadian perspective and UOW’s Professor Steve Dinham from the Faculty of Education who discussed key issues from an Australian perspective. A number of UOW academics gave presentations on catering for diverse learners and learning through and with technology.

“The conference focused on issues in education that will challenge us over the next decade,” said Director of the Centre for Canadian-Australian Studies, Associate Professor Gerry Turcotte.

“Between 80 and 100 Canadian postgraduate students come through UOW each year and take back with them Australian values and perspectives so the conference was particularly relevant to those studying here now.”

Associate Professor Wilma Vialle from the Faculty of Education said speakers addressed a wide range of issues and received very positive feedback about their presentations.