Djarragun College Students Visit ICMS During Careers Week
The International College of Management, Sydney (ICMS) hosted 20 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from Djarragun College.
Djarragun College located 20km south of Cairns in Gordonvale, far north Queensland, supports disadvantaged children in remote communities by providing them with pastoral care and primary, middle and secondary education.
Photos by David Hancock
Simon Pawson, Head of School (School of International Tourism Management) from ICMS instigated the partnership with Djarragun College in 2007 and has a vested interest in Indigenous participation in Australian tourism. Simon is currently completing postgraduate research in Indigenous persons and the tourism industry.
“We very much enjoy hosting students from Djarragun College here at Manly. The importance of training indigenous Australians within the hospitality industry is imperative to the sustainable tourism industry as a whole. We are excited to do our bit and are very much looking forward to having talented Djarragun students enrolled in our College in 2009. These students will surely add to the diversity of our College culture,” says Simon Pawson.
The 20 Djarragun College students spent a week at International College of Management, Sydney attending classes and College events, they even competed in an ICMS vs. Djarragun rugby match.
The week culminated in a feast prepared for ICMS staff and students by the Djarragun students. At the end of the feast the Djarragun students performed a traditional dance.
ICMS is offering a scholarship for their diploma program specialising in Sport Management, International Tourism, Retail Services Management, Property Management, Hospitality Management or Events Management. The scholarships will also include accommodation and meals. ICMS will also assist Djarragun students who wish to apply to study at ICMS under abstudy.
ICMS has a long standing relationship with Djarragun College. To date ICMS has participated in Djarragun’s careers day, was guests of honor at Djarragun’s speech day and ICMS also sponsors Djarragun’s hospitality award.
