Celebrating our colleagues: Jaz Wong

Jaz Wong, Director, Communications and Marketing, AUG (AusEd UniEd Group) 

As Director of Communications and Marketing at AUG Student Services, Jaz plays an important role as one of the University's international agency partners. His work contributes to the promotion of the University to prospective international students, and provides them and their families with essential information about our application processes, admissions, program updates, and resources. 

On his recent visit to Adelaide, we caught up with Jaz to find out a little bit more about the work that he does, and what drives him to do it.  

I remember walking into the AUG office in my hometown in Malaysia when I was 18. Although I had a few ideas, I was uncertain about the career path I wanted to follow, and so I was looking for advice about study options. Some friends had told me about their elder siblings’ experiences with studying abroad, and so I thought I’d find out what it was all about.

I was interested in developing my business knowledge, and really valued working with people, getting an international perspective, and travel. Before I knew it, I’d been recommended a degree in International Tourism and Hotel Management, and had packed my bags and moved to the Gold Coast to become an undergrad at Griffith University.  

After I graduated, I returned to Malaysia, and I saw this small newspaper ad for AUG (then called AusEd) as an Education Consultant, which I thought sounded interesting. So I sent in my application and about a month later I had a long interview with them, and they called me the following day and offered me a job.  

At the time, I didn’t know that it was going to become my long-term career, but fast forward 20 years and now here I am, back living in Brisbane and visiting Adelaide to meet up with colleagues and students from the University of Adelaide!  

My experience as an international student, categorically, changed my life for the better. Further, it has made me all the more passionate about helping students to be aware of the international study options that are available to them, and I’m always learning more about where the best places to study are.  

Even in this age where students can do heaps of background research on the internet, they really value getting follow-up information and advice from a real human being, who has real knowledge and experiences.  

Getting a degree is one thing, but it’s the journey of a university experience that makes the biggest difference. It’s not just about learning, it’s about broadening your experiences, meeting new people from a range of cultures, and then having a career that positively impacts future generations.

Knowing that our work as an education consultancy is changing or creating students’ futures has a profound impact on me and, even though sometimes the work is relentless and the travel exhausting, it doesn’t really matter because when you enjoy what you do and are passionate about the outcomes, it’s a life worth living.

All I need is my trusty suitcase, a change of clothes, my laptop and my wallet, and I can work from anywhere!

As international education agents, we’re facilitating the creation of a better future. It’s incredibly rewarding. For a lot of international students, when they choose to study at university in Australia, one reason of course is to get a quality education, but for some of them it’s also to explore opportunities for their life and careers. So we’ve assisted quite a few people to realise their dreams.  

It’s a pleasure to talk about the University of Adelaide to students. I think the vision of the University aligns closely with the vision of AUG which is to create impact beyond education. It also helps that we receive consistent and positive feedback from graduates about the quality of the education they have received here. Actually seeing how education has empowered people makes me so pleased to have followed this career pathway.  

Writer: Dr Simon Behenna, Internal Communications Coordinator 

Photographer: Isaac Freeman, Communications Assistant