Guest speech of the Ambassador of Australia; H.E. Mrs. Deborah Stokes

As being a frequent destination for (exchange semester) studying and practical training semester, Australia is finally a place where some of our graduates are currently working and living. Having that in mind, deputy Dean and the IMC Export Department (under the auspices of Chair for Intl. Law and Global Political Studies) invited the Australia’s Ambassador accredited to Austria for a guest lecture. H.E. Mrs. Deborah Stokes, Resident Ambassador of Australia to Republic of Austria and IOs in Vienna paid the visit to IMC and delivered a lecture on 20th May, followed by almost two hour talks with students and small reception.

The IMC fellow professors, Export alumni members and students had the rare opportunity to learn about the Australian society, institutions, political system, current economic and trade affairs, foreign and security policy, environmental issues as well as to hear thoughtful and inspiring answers on series of their questions (like; state of bilateral relations with EU/Austria; FDI and export volumes; regional Pacific cooperation; travel, work and settlement in Australia through “Working Holidays Agreement” and certain pending issues related to such accords with the EU counterparts, etc.) Additional information has been given in lieu of numerous brochures and factsheets kindly provided to our students by the Embassy stuff.

Extraordinary diplomat of admirable career, Ms. Stokes was serving her respective country by obtaining several top capacities with the Australia’s Foreign Office, such as Deputy Director General and the First Assistant State Secretary. Prior to her appointment to Austria in 2003, she was posted in Rangoon, New York and Tokyo respectively. Excellency Stokes holds the human science degrees from prestigious Australian (Adelaide) and UK (Cambridge) universities.

Summing up at the end of this content-intensive and extremely valuable event with Ms. Eva Werner, IMC Intl. Dept. head and deputy Dean and Mr. Anis H. Bajrektarevic, EXP Chair and principal host of the event, Excellency Stokes stated that she was very much impressed by huge interest, commitment and knowledge of our students as demonstrated throughout the questions and discussion with her, and promised to return to our University for lecturing in a due time again.

Text: Mr. Bajrektarevic