The University of Queensland and Griffith University have received a joint endowment of A$1.9 million from the Nippon Foundation, a Japanese philanthropic organisation which supports education, agricultural and health services internationally.
University of Queensland Executive Dean of Arts Professor Alan Rix said endowment income would establish the Queensland Program for Japanese Language Education. This would promote Japanese language education in Queensland and the Northern Territory.
'The income will provide scholarships for Japanese language students and teachers to study in Japan; short-term upgrade courses for tertiary teachers of Japanese; and funding of research and curriculum development,' he said.
The Nippon Foundation grew out of the Japan Shipbuilding Industry Foundation, established in 1962 to promote shipping enterprises and marine accident prevention activities.
The Foundation's work has since diversified and expanded. Since 1971 it has provided more than US$823 million for projects including disaster relief, support to United Nations agencies such as the World Health Organisation for disease eradication, and assistance to governments and private organisations worldwide.
Professor Rix said the Foundation had made an invaluable contribution to Japanese language education in Queensland.
'Scholarships to study in Japan are the most valuable form of support for students and trainee teachers,' he said.
'An ongoing endowment such as this one will benefit students for many years to come.'
Professor Rix said the Queensland program for Japanese language education would be managed by both the University of Queensland and Griffith University. Other universities and the State Education Department would also be involved.
He said a formal agreement concluded between the University of Queensland, Griffith University and the Foundation had established an endowment fund.
A management committee headed by Professor Rix will oversee the operation while a program committee chaired by the Dean of Education at Griffith University, Professor Marilyn McMeniman, will be responsible for program development and budget allocation. The University of Queensland's Asian Studies Centre will undertake day-to-day administration.
Professor Rix said Japanese language courses had been offered at the University of Queensland since 1967 and at Griffith University since 1975.
'The two universities are currently the major providers of Japanese language education at tertiary level in Queensland,' he said.
'Over the years, both universities have encouraged the teaching of Japanese language in Queensland schools. Japanese has now been part of the school curriculum for more than 25 years.'
In 1996, 74,420 Queensland students and 870 Northern Territory students studied Japanese at primary and secondary levels. More than 3100 students are studying Japanese at tertiary level at seven Queensland universities, although the language is not currently taught at this level in the Northern Territory.
Manager of the Languages and Cultures Unit, Education Queensland Allan Langdon said language teaching today required high levels of proficiency on the part of teachers.
'The universities provide the foundation, but students need to spend time in-country to polish their skills and fluency,' he said.
'The Nippon Foundation program will assist teachers and their students to achieve better Japanese language training in Queensland.'
1998 scholarships and short courses funded by the Foundation will be advertised in November, 1997.
For further information, contact Professor Rix, telephone 07 3365 1822.
