More French students to study in Perth under new TAFEWA deal

15/11/07
Perth TAFE students will be able to study at a French university and students from France will be able to study at TAFEWA in Perth to get a head start on university degrees in their home country, the State Government announced today.
Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan said Central TAFE and Education and Training International had recently signed off on an international study arrangement with several French institutions.
"The Program International France Australie (PIFA) project will give Western Australian Central TAFE students the opportunity to continue their studies at a French university," Mr McGowan said.
"Students from France will have the opportunity to study for one year in selected TAFEWA courses, with guaranteed entry into the second year of a bachelor degree at a range of French universities."
The Minister said PIFA worked in a similar way to the advanced standing that Central TAFE graduates received when applying for WA universities, which gave them credit for their TAFEWA studies.
"This project will also enhance the international reputation of the quality of TAFEWA courses by helping overseas students put their TAFE qualifications to practical use when they return home," he said.
One of the first French students to join the program is Maelle Girard, who sees it as an ideal launching pad into a career working with an international non-Government organisation.
"I am studying a Certificate II in Community Services and intend to stay at Central TAFE to study for a Diploma of International Business," Ms Girard said.
"This will allow me to move directly into the second year at 3A, a specialist international business school in France.
"There is no course in France similar to Central TAFE's Community Services course and I believe this will give me the competitive edge in my career.
"My increasing fluency in English, and learning how to work in another part of the world, will help me find a job with an international non-Government organisation."
Mr McGowan said that other courses available under the PIFA project included International Business, Finance, Mass Communications and Tourism and there were plans to extend to more courses in the future.
"It is expected that the project will also be expanded to additional countries including Spain and Germany," he said.
Central TAFE has the largest population of international students of all TAFEWA colleges with more than 1,000 international students.
It has already established a considerable presence in China and the Middle East, which has enhanced its reputation as an institution of international standing.
Minister's office: 9222 9111