Adeby Fonseca, a Hospitality & Tourism Management student, and Lianne Bishop studying Child & Adolescent Studies, were selected to attend by the University's Sustainability Forum and the global organization, the University Scholar's Leadership Symposium. It is the second year running the University has sent students.   

Adeby exclaimed how excited she was “to become part of the next generation of 21st century leadership.” She added: “I look forward to the opportunity to get to know other scholars from world leading universities and to network with people from different cultures and backgrounds."

Lianne explained she was also thrilled to be going because she recognised: "It is a great opportunity to meet with other students, organisations, actual and potential global leaders and individuals from across the world and to extend my knowledge and understanding of key global challenges".

The University Scholars Leadership Symposium is a week-long development training programme. The Symposium brings together a thousand of the world’s most promising leaders into the heart of Asia. It is designed for young people who are committed to making the world a better place for the human race.

Dr Diana Pritchard who coordinates the University’s Sustainability Forum, and is the academic lead on sustainability, employability and global citizenship said: “The two students were selected on the basis of their appealing applications which demonstrated their motivation and commitment to global social change through their experiences and their plans to use this life changing opportunity to engage with local and global communities during the forthcoming year.”

On their return the two students will by mentored by Dr Pritchard and Dr Helen Connolly who has a teaching track record for engaging and empowering students in social change agency. The students will also work in collaboration with other academics from the University’s Sustainability Forum, to organise university-wide activities focused on international human rights, and climate change.

The students’ costs are covered by the National Teaching Fellowship funds awarded to the University’s recently retired Director of Academic Development, Dr Mark Atlay.