8 May 2008

The UQ Rotary Centre for International Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution is part of a global push for new models of learning.

Rotary’s prestigious peace studies program will develop an innovative e-learning platform to provide greater access and enhanced learning opportunities to Rotary World Peace Fellows and other students around the world.

The initiative, launched at a meeting of senior Rotary leaders and senior officials of partnering universities at Rotary headquarters in Evanston, Illinois, will create a global space for learning and disseminating best practice in techniques of peacemaking, peacekeeping and peace building.

“This initiative is really going to enhance the student experience and establish a unique network of students and scholars in peace and conflict resolution across the six Rotary Centres internationally," Dr Richard Devetak said.

Dr Devetak is Director of the UQ Rotary Centre housed in the School of Political Science and International Studies.

"Not only will the e-learning platform take UQ staff to a global audience, it will enable UQ students to learn from some of the world’s leading scholars at the other Rotary Centres,” he said.

The network will promote the shared knowledge and wide-ranging institutional expertise of the other International Rotary Centres including: the International Christian University in Japan, the University of Bradford, England, Universidad del Salvador, Argentina, the University of California Berkley and the shared Centre of Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA.

“The University of Queensland is pleased to be part of such an exciting new model for learning and disseminating knowledge about important global issues," UQ Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) Professor Debbie Terry said.

"The opportunity to collaborate and forge productive learning communities with the global network of Rotary Centres is something I and other University leaders are very enthusiastic about,” said Professor Terry, who attended the Evanston meeting.

Media: Dr Richard Devetak, telephone 07 3346 7318, email: r.devetak@uq.edu.au