Australian Embassy
China

EDU2011JOINT

Senator the Hon Christopher Evans
Leader of the Government in the Senate
Minister for Tertiary Education
Minister for Jobs, Skills and Workplace Relations

Senator Kim Carr
Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
Joint Media Release

Australia and China cement close ties on higher education

The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, and His Excellency Mr Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, today witnessed the renewal of the Australia-China Arrangement on Higher Education Qualifications Recognition at Parliament House.

Minister for Tertiary Education, Senator Chris Evans, welcomed the strengthening of ties between China and Australia.

“Education is now an integral part of our bilateral relationship, as well as one of Australia’s biggest exports to China,” Senator Evans said.

“Today’s renewal of the Australia-China Arrangement reinforces our countries’ mutual commitment to supporting greater student, academic and professional mobility between China and Australia, and to enhancing links between Australian and Chinese universities.”

Chinese students comprise almost 40 per cent of Australia’s international student population, representing the largest group of international students enrolled in Australian institutions. In 2010 there were more than 167,000 enrolments of Chinese students in Australian education institutions, making Australia one of the most popular destinations for Chinese students studying abroad.

Senator Evans said Chinese students make a significant contribution to Australian education institutions and communities.

“Chinese students forge important relationships while they are studying in Australia and these form the foundations for the ongoing and strong relationship between our two countries,” he said.

Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, said the links between Australian and Chinese universities were strengthened as a result of research collaborations.

"PhD students play an important role in supporting Australia's rapidly growing science and research relationship with China, particularly as a catalyst for bilateral research collaborations," Senator Carr said.

The Universities Australia China Australia Executive Leadership Program, which has seen significant numbers of university leaders travel between Australia and China, has also helped build partnerships within the university sector.

The Gillard Government is committed to encouraging more Australians to study and undertake professional development in China through the Australia Awards scholarship program.

In particular, the Prime Minister’s Australia Asia Awards provide an opportunity for students to undertake study, research and an internship for a period of up to two years.

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