Jack Ayoub

An array of reasons led Jack Ayoud to study at the Australian National University (ANU) and move to Canberra from The Oaks in New South Wales.

ANU made perfect sense. One of Australia’s best universities in one of the most liveable cities where key government departments and institutions are located.

He admires ANU first-rate quality academics and former practitioners such as Hugh White.

Jack graduated from a Bachelor of International Security Studies (BINSS). He always had a deep interest in politics and international affairs and became increasingly concerned by some of the security challenges that the world was facing in 2014/15 including the rise of Daesh in the Middle East and the changing balancing of power in the Asia Pacific.

“A Bachelor of International Security Studies digs down and examines these challenges and encourages you to cast a critical eye over long-held assumptions and ideas. Having such knowledge and skills are crucial to ensuring we get our future policy right”.

Jack feels grateful. He gained innumerable skills throughout his degree. He highlights the ability to think critically. “Having the ability to question assumptions and think outside the square will allow those working in this space to come up with new and innovative research and policy solutions to the complex security challenges we face”.

His favourite course in the program was International Security Issues in the Asia Pacific. The course equipped him with an understanding of how complex and fragile alliances can be. It provided him with a deep knowledge of how powerful states use their influence in the international arena.

Regarding employability, Jack’s degree secured him a job as a Research Officer at The Institute for Regional Security (IFRS) in his first year of study. “For the past two and a half years, I have had the privilege of working with world-class academics and senior Australian policymakers. The skills and knowledge I have gained from my degree have given me the opportunity to organise international dialogues, edit and publish research papers on behalf of the Institute and welcome distinguished public figures such as the Secretary-General of NATO to the University.

Next year Jack will start a new role in the Australian Public Service. “I do hope that one day I will be able to return to a think tank and undertake some major pieces of research on Australian foreign and defence policy. Apart from that, I am looking forward to seeing where my degree takes me!”