International spotlight on CDU’s online learning

A Jamaican academic has selected Charles Darwin University as her institution of choice to conduct research and take home information about online learning in Australia.

Senior Lecturer and Faculty Research Coordinator at the University of Technology, Jamaica, Dr Carmel Roofe-Bowen, arrived at CDU after securing an internationally competitive Australian Government fellowship.

Dr Roofe-Bowen said she planned to integrate aspects of CDU’s information and communications technology and online learning systems into teacher education programs at her own university.

“The decision to come to CDU was perfect; I can’t find any other words,” Dr Roofe-Bowen said.

“I am very excited about this capacity-building opportunity to develop our services.”

Dr Roofe-Bowen said CDU’s School of Education ran similar activities to her university’s teacher education programs in the Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies.

“The way CDU has been using online learning with so many teachers is just excellent,” she said.

Dr Roofe-Bowen’s supervisor, CDU Associate Professor of Education Greg Shaw, said the project would help strengthen the university’s international relations and partnerships with overseas universities.

“We’re looking at a long-term collaborative relationship with Carmel and her institution,” Dr Shaw said.

Dr Roofe-Bowen received the Endeavour Executive Fellowship from the Australian Government’s Department of Education. These fellowships aim to build Australia’s reputation for excellence in education, and support the internationalisation of Australian higher education and research.