News and Opportunities
Austrade update 12 October 2011
12 Oct 2011
Austrade Update provides news about recent Austrade activities of interest to the education sector.
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Australian education makes a splash in Copenhagen at EAIE 2011
The attendance of 33 of Australia’s 39 universities at EAIE, Europe's largest annual international education event, held in Copenhagen in September, made 2011 a landmark year for Australian participation in the conference. It also sent a clear signal that Australian universities are serious about expanding partnerships and raising their profile in Europe.
Austrade staff from Paris, Milan, Frankfurt and London coordinated the launch of the Future Unlimited brand at a major networking reception for 240 people at the Aquarium in the Tivoli Gardens on the eve of the conference. Mr James Choi, Australian Ambassador to Denmark, addressed the audience, which included senior representatives from Australian universities and their international guests as well as the President of EAIE, Gudrun Paulsdottir.
The Future Unlimited stand formed the cornerstone of a lively and highly visible ‘campus’ of Australian booths. Universities on the Future Unlimited stand and those with their own booths reported a packed program of meetings with new and existing European partners. This year had a record 250 exhibitor stands and more than 4200 participants.
Several Australian university representatives described the conference as an essential forum for strengthening existing links and establishing new partnerships in Europe. Whether these take the form of exchanges, joint degrees or research collaboration, the resulting relationships will enhance the standing of Australian universities in Europe.
The importance of positioning Australia as a high-quality destination for education and research cannot be understated. As an increasing number of Australian institutions look to diversify their student bodies, EAIE will remain an important date in the education calendar.
Business is brisk on the Austrade Future Unlimited stand during EAIE Copenhagen.
Austrade conducts education agent briefing in Manila
With the aim of providing the latest updates and practical information to education agents, Austrade Manila, in collaboration with allied agencies within the Australian Embassy in Manila, conducted an agent briefing session on 26 September. A total of 26 agents from 14 companies attended.
Austrade presented on the new Future Unlimited education brand and led a feedback session on nursing courses; the Department of Immigration and Citizenship provided updates on student visas; AusAID presented on the Australia Awards scholarship program; and the Ministry of Defence provided information on their military scholarship programs. The session was held at the Australian Embassy, Manila.
Agents had the opportunity to clarify various issues and meet the presenters during a networking session. The session will be followed by similar seminars / workshops over the remainder of this year.
Ross Bray, Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner for Manila and Micronesia, delivers the opening remarks for the Education Agent Briefing.