A group of future global leaders from South Asia are exploring key learnings in building regional infrastructure for trade and economic growth through a University of the Sunshine Coast course centred on international diplomacy and capacity building.
The training is being delivered by UniSC’s Centre for International Development, Social Entrepreneurship and Leadership (CIDSEL) under the South Asia Regional Infrastructure Connectivity (SARIC) program, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The SARIC program supports the overall goal to deepen economic linkages and support regional prosperity and inclusive growth in South Asia.
Government and private sector officials from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives and Sri Lanka from energy, and transport sectors are examining some of Australia’s best practices in areas such as governance, policy, finance and investment through the UniSC course.
“This training offers valuable skills and knowledge to support the roles these future leaders play in infrastructure development in their respective countries,” said Tami Harriott, general manager of UniSC’s CIDSEL.
“It also provides opportunities for these South Asian nations to establish new links with Australian industry and government to promote economic growth and regional connectivity,” said Ms Harriott who is presenting the course with UniSC Adjunct Dr Michael Berry.
Delivered by UniSC over three phases, the training included an online session in February and two weeks of in-person lectures held recently at UniSC’s Sunshine Coast campus, followed by final online training sessions in April.
Joining in this knowledge exchange and partnership building with UniSC have been Australian sector leaders, who shared their insights and expertise with their international colleagues during their recent visit. Presenters included Ross Israel, Head of Global Infrastructure at Queensland Infrastructure Corporation.
Participants also inspected key Queensland infrastructure projects, with site visits to the Wellcamp Airport in Toowoomba, Brisbane’s Cross River Rail Project and a networking event with Engineers Australia.
Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Helen Bartlett, said that as a university with a strategic focus on global impact, UniSC was pleased to support the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s economic growth focus in South Asia.
“Economic recovery is an important pillar of the Australian Government’s development partnership with South and West Asia, along with stability and health security,” Professor Bartlett said.
“We strongly believe that this training will help to facilitate infrastructure connectivity and economic growth across the region,” she said.
“We strongly believe that this training will help to facilitate infrastructure connectivity and economic growth across the South Asia region."
UniSC Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Helen Bartlett.
Team Leader SARIC Training and Networking Services Shivani Manaktala said they were confident the program would contribute to building the capacities of the participants from the energy and transport sectors and help promote sustainable infrastructure practices.
“The partnership with UniSC for delivering the first training has been invaluable,” Ms Manaktala said.
International development sector advisory, management and implementation firm Palladium has been contracted to manage the Training and Networking services component under SARIC.
“Palladium will be partnering with several Australian and regional training providers over the course of the program,” Ms Manaktala said.
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