Bulletin

Issue: September 2005

News

European Union award winners

La Trobe University's contribution to studies of the European Union in Australia were recognised recently by the Delegation of the European Commission to Australia and New Zealand with the award of two new student prizes.

Winners were Patrick Boyd, third year Law-Arts (left), and Karen Zipkas, second year International Relations. Mr Boyd wrote his principal essay on the European Court of Justice, while Ms Zipkas' work was on the significance of agricultural issues in the negotiations for admission of central and eastern European countries.

The prizes were awarded by the European Union Ambassador to Australia, Mr Piergiorgio Mazzocchi (centre), and the Counsellor at the Embassy, Mr Paul Strickland.

Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, Professor Roger Wales, said La Trobe second and third year subject, The European Union, was introduced two years ago as a core component for the new degree, Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary European Studies. 'It is possibly the only one which anchors the contemporary development of the European Union so strongly in an historical framework. It has attracted between 60 and 80 excellent students. This year 21 students achieved A-grades. Another feature is its emphasis on guest lecturers with first-hand experience of the European Union 'diplomats, business people, and visiting academics.'

The subject is also taken by many Bachelor of International Relations students and those majoring in History and Politics in the Bachelor of Arts.

Acknowledging the generous contribution of the European Commission to the development of the course, Professor Wales said the University looked forward to continuing its strong relationship with the EU in responding to the popularity amongst students of its European course offerings.