[CDU eNews] - trade fair offers croc products

[Peter.Hurt at cdu.edu.au]

Trade fair offers croc products

Ever wanted a crocodile belt, purse or handbag - or your photo taken with a
croc?  Perhaps you want to go on a fabulous holiday, or need new insurance.

All these options are available at a trade fair at Charles Darwin
University tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday. The fair is held twice a year by
staff and students of the university's Crocodylus World Practice Firm.

Course coordinator Bev Luke said: "Crocodylus Park has also offered
selected crocodile skin products at 40 per cent discount and eelskin and
stingray products at 20 per cent off.

"The trade fair allows students at all levels to prove their competence in
trading with other 'companies' and selling their products/services to the
general public. 'Customers' are given virtual cash vouchers to purchase
virtual products, or they can buy real products with real money.

"It's nearly Mother's Day, so come along to the trade fair  - and see this
unique and powerful way for students to learn."

Crocodylus World Practice Firm staff and students will be joined in hosting
the fair by Casuarina Senior College students, staff of business partner
Territory Insurance Office (TIO) and staff and students from the Travel
Gateway Practice Firm from the Palmerston campus.

Ms Luke said more than 50 students were studying for Certificates or
Diplomas in Business at the Crocodylus World Practice Firm, including
international students.

"It's an exciting way for students to learn different aspects of working in
an office environment at all levels, while operating a business," Ms Luke
said. "It is an ideal environment for training in small business
operations, retail, tourism and hospitality; private industry and public
sector administration courses.  It also involves partnerships with
industry, thus giving reality to education and training.

"Students develop and practice business skills as well as take on
responsibilities as if they were at work. They become virtual staff of the
organisation and receive a virtual salary.

"Staff buy and sell goods and complete projects by undertaking office
administration, advertising and promotions, market research, salaries and
accounting practices, reception and human resources administration.

"No actual real transfer of goods or money occurs, but all other business
transactions take place."

   The trade fair will be held at the Mal Nairn Auditorium, on the
   Casuarina campus of Charles Darwin University, tomorrow (Thursday) and
   Friday from 10am to 3pm.




Peter Hurt
Media Manager
Charles Darwin University
Tel: 08 8946 6019 or 0438 466 439

CRICOS Provider No: 00300K