Pre-Departure Address to Students of the Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University Participating in the 2016 Study Tour to Queensland

Thank you. I acknowledge the President, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Dr Ikemoto; ladies and gentlemen. I am delighted to have this opportunity to speak with students who are participating in the 2016 Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University Study Tour to Queensland, which begins in just ten days’ time. 

My role as Governor of the State of Queensland is a rather different role from that of the Governor of a Japanese Prefecture. Australian Governors are not elected, but appointed as representatives of our Head of State, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. 

However I know that Governors in both our nations are very much aware of the great importance of the long-standing bilateral links between Australia and Japan, and especially between Queensland and Japan. 

I am in Japan to seek to strengthen yet further the enduring, beneficial relationship between Queensland and Japan, and to promote our shared business, trade and cultural interests.

Queensland has been active for decades in deepening and strengthening these links, including through its Trade and Investment Office in Tokyo, led since 2004 by Commissioner Mr Tak Adachi.

Queensland-Japan bilateral links cover many fields, including education, trade and investment, research, and tourism.  

The relationship between Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University and The University of Queensland is an excellent example of mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation.

I say that not only because my university education in Law was at The University of Queensland, long before the students here were born!  Nor because the University’s Japan Studies department celebrates its fiftieth anniversary in 2016.    

In fact, the success of this particular Queensland-Japan university-level relationship speaks for itself.

The connection between the two distinguished institutions was established in 2004, thanks to the vision and dedication of Doctor Tetsuo Mizuno, whom I congratulate on the success of his wonderful initiative. 

The first study group from Japan visited Queensland in 2006. And this year’s study group will bring the total number of NVLU students who have visited Queensland to more than 650, a very impressive number.

I know that the arrangement is reciprocal – that students from The University of Queensland benefit from visits to NVLU.

The relationship is built on complementary strengths and the genuine desire of both educational institutions to work together for mutual benefit.   

For its part, The University of Queensland has been able to provide Japanese veterinary students with invaluable clinical education and training, experience in the treatment and handling of livestock, and world-class teaching in animal science, health and welfare.

The University has achieved this capacity through innovative, practical research, advanced veterinary services, and successful industry partnerships.

The 2016 Study Tour program also provides NVLU food science students with exposure to food science practices and processes in Queensland’s large ‘clean and green’ agribusiness industries, including the growing organic food sector.  

On a more personal note – the study group will visit some of Queensland’s most beautiful locations, and encounter Australia’s unique native animals. 

I hope that you will not be disappointed to discover that kangaroos do not hop down the streets of our major cities. 

But, when you visit North Stradbroke Island, I encourage you to look around carefully at a place called Point Lookout, which is on your itinerary. There, wild kangaroos are sometimes seen near streets and houses. I hope you see some!

I would be pleased if, on your return, you would tell your families, friends and colleagues about your experiences in Queensland. We would be delighted to welcome them to Queensland as holiday visitors.

The Australian Animals Study Tour is a marvellous opportunity for this year’s participants to increase their knowledge and experience in their chosen fields, and to further supplement their academic studies with hands-on experience.

I extend my thanks to the distinguished President of Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Dr Ikemoto, for his continuing support for this invaluable program, and for his great courtesy in hosting us today.

I extend my warmest regards to Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University and wish it continuing success in providing communities in Japan with highly skilled veterinary and food science graduates.

I hope that cooperation between universities in Queensland and Japan will grow and prosper even further.

The 2016 Australian Animals Study Tour is a unique combination of exposure to Queensland professionals and practices in the veterinary and food science fields, to Queensland’s friendly people, and to its beautiful natural landscapes and unique animals. 

I wish all student participants, and accompanying faculty members, a successful and enjoyable ten days in our wonderful State of Queensland, and every success in their future endeavours. Thank you, dear students, and may I add: “Mina-san, ganbatte!”