Background

RIIERP began in the early 1990’s when RMIT Professor Sylvester Abanteriba, formerly an engineer in Germany, used the industry links that he had formed to create an opportunity to send his brightest students for work experience at engineering companies in Europe.

Over the first 18 years of operation, RIIERP established valuable industry partnerships in Europe, the US and Asia, enabling more opportunities to be provided for students to work overseas as part of their studies. The program’s success led to its extension throughout the Science and Engineering faculty, and ultimately to all schools within RMIT.

Today the program places about 150 students each year from all disciplines of RMIT. It has the support of 165 organisations in 16 countries that open their workplaces and contribute about $2 million each year by way of generous student allowances.

RIIERP is the only program of its kind in Australia. Since its commencement more than 1,700 RMIT students and graduates have been placed in the international industry. The complex program provides a range of opportunities including work placements, final-year undergraduate projects, graduate traineeships, postgraduate research and postdoctoral fellowships.

“RIIERP gives students an outstanding opportunity to acquire the competencies that will enable them as graduates to contribute significantly in their chosen career and work effectively as competent professionals in a globalised world.”

Professor Sylvester Abanteriba
Director and Founder of RIIERP