Programme adds to student experience

Students at Victoria University can now enrich their formal qualifications by joining the Victoria International Leadership Programme (VILP), the first programme of its type in NZ.

VILP is an academically orientated extracurricular programme and an innovative approach to internationalising Victoria’s campuses. Through a series of seminars, speakers, debates and practical activities, the VILP integrates elements of global leadership development, crosscultural communications, interconnectedness and sustainability.

More than 400 students have signed up for the programme so far and attended seminars facilitated by some of Victoria’s leading academics on issues such as 9/11 and the war on terror and the challenges of globalisation in Latin America.

They have also had the opportunity to hear from notable speakers such as the OECD Secretary-General and the Commonwealth Secretary-General.

The VILP programme is open to all students at Victoria including study abroad and exchange students.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Pat Walsh says the programme creates opportunities for students to better understand and debate global issues that may not be covered in their area of academic study.

“Students can also take advantage of the international and political discourse that comes from studying in the capital city location as well as the variety of international guests, experts and speakers that visit Wellington and Victoria.”

Pro ViceChancellor (International) Prof. Rob Rabel says an exciting aspect of the programme is that it encourages students to reflect on how they can contribute to addressing the pressing challenges facing the world.

Students submit reflective feedback on seminar and speaker events to receive the VILP certificate, which is acknowledged on their academic transcripts.

The students are also encouraged to go on student exchanges through Victoria’s partnerships with international universities for the practical component of the programme.