ARCHIVED MEDIA RELEASE
PA/18/2004 17 August 2004
Australian finishing school to provide personal development courses in India
A leading Australian finishing school will soon provide personal development training in India in collaboration with a New Delhi-based institute.
The June Dally Watkins (JDW) School of Deportment and Grooming will assist Meyhar Bhasin Academy (MBA) to teach a new course designed to equip students in a range of areas in personal development.
“The JDW/MBA is an exciting new joint venture which takes the education links in a new direction. The demand for personal and professional development courses in India is already evident and is bound to grow as India’s middle class increases in size and ambition,” said the Australian High Commissioner to India, Ms Penny Wensley AO.
“The experience, resources and skills available in the June Dally Watkins School of Deportment and Grooming - one of the oldest and best known in Australia – makes it the perfect partner for the Meyhar Bhasin Academy,” added the High Commissioner.
“Meyhar Bhasin Academy, one of India’s most successful grooming and modeling colleges, chose JDW because of its international reputation and success in personal and personality development of students over many years,” said the Brisbane-based Course Convener of the JDW College, Ms Jodie Bache-McLean.
“What was particularly appealing to India was the inclusion in our course of cultural aspects in human relations, communication skills and social etiquette,” added Ms Bache-McLean.
The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) helped facilitate the collaboration. “The Meyhar Bhasin Academy will benefit from the international focus and additional course material that June Dally Watkins (JDW) offers. JDW is naturally excited at the prospect of partnership with a leading Indian finishing school in a market with the potential of India,” said the Senior Trade Commissioner in the Australian High Commission, Mr. Mike Moignard.
Three courses are planned, initially for 60 students, with the first beginning on August 23. Ms Bache-McLean will lead the first course and other trainers from JDW will assist in future courses until the end of the year. According to JDW’s founder, Ms June Dally Watkins, the unique aspect of the JDW approach is that it includes the philosophy, ‘Be the best you can be’ across all course facets -- from personal grooming and presentation to etiquette, public speaking, nutrition and understanding different cultures.
For Further Information, please contact Mr. Mike Moignard, Senior Trade Counsellor, Australian High Commission at 51399901.