Overseas students become 'honorary citizens'

March 21, 2007

More than 50 overseas students became "honorary citizens" of Armidale yesterday during a civic reception for them at Armidale Town Hall.

Students from 14 countries – some of them in national costume – sat under a colourful array of national flags and heard the Armidale Dumaresq Mayor, Councillor Peter Ducat, and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of New England, Professor Alan Pettigrew, welcome them to the city and its educational environment.

Mr Steve Widders, as a representative of the Anaiwan people – the Indigenous custodians of the land – also welcomed the students, pointing out the significance for today's Harmony Day celebrations of their presence within the community.

The students, beginning their studies at UNE and Armidale schools this year, were from Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Macao, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and Thailand. (There were apologies from students from other countries.) Each of them met Councillor Ducat and received a certificate entitling them to "all the courtesies and respect of a citizen".

Ms Xiaohui Su (pictured here), a continuing student at UNE who comes from China, thanked Armidale Dumaresq Council and UNE on behalf of her fellow overseas students, saying: "You make us feel at home."

Both Councillor Ducat and Professor Pettigrew acknowledged the contribution of overseas students to the cultural richness of Armidale life. "You've come to Armidale to learn from us," Professor Pettigrew said, "but we can also learn from you." He said that this mutually beneficial exchange included the educational environment, where class sizes were small enough to allow for more personal attention to students than in big city institutions.

"Please make Armidale part of your life," Councillor Ducat said. Professor Pettigrew added: "We can offer you an experience that we believe will remain with you for a lifetime."

THE PHOTOGRAPH of Xiaohui Su displayed here expands to include Professor Alan Pettigrew and the Mayor, Councillor Peter Ducat.

Posted by Jim Scanlan at March 21, 2007 05:05 PM