Education was the central theme of the Premier’s recent visit to China, resulting in an unprecedented number of education partnerships and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU’s) being signed, which will strengthen Victoria’s global reputation in international education and result in stronger engagement between institutions.

The Premier witnessed a landmark MoU signing between Victoria and China’s Ministry of Education, creating a working group to drive educational cooperation across primary and tertiary levels. The Working Group will meet annually to plan its agenda across schools, TAFE’s and universities.

The Premier also presided over the RMIT University and the Shanghai University of International Business of Economics (SUIBE) MoU, which will kick-off the process to seek approval for joint institute status, delivering additional undergraduate and postgraduate programs in technology and business.

Through the Victorian Government’s Yes to International Students Fund, several universities and TAFE’s are expanding Victoria’s educational partnership with China. Suni TAFE signed two MoUs to further the development of teaching staff through short-term visits and study programs, with Shanghai Food Science and Technology School and the Nanjing Commercial College.

La Trobe University and Bejing Union University also signed an MoU to engage with each other on a program of co-operation to explore the potential for educational programs including staff and student exchanges and academic research of mutual interest.

Federation University announced two partnerships, one with the China Education Association for International Exchange, which will see Federation University offering tailor-made curriculum and organisation of profession-oriented specialist seminars and field visits. The second partnership is with Beijing Polytechnic University, a MoU supporting on teacher training and student exchange.