News and Opportunities
Austrade update 2 March 2011
02 Mar 2011
Austrade Update provides news about recent Austrade activities of interest to the education sector
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Opening up e-learning opportunities in Japan
Japan’s leading telecom company, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT), has announced an $18 million e-learning project to be piloted in Japanese schools, starting this academic year. The project aims to support education using the broadband network and online content.
Because of the close relationship Austrade Japan shares with NTT, as well as the education environment in Australia and our common time zones, NTT chose Australia as the only country to participate.
Speaking at NTT’s press conference, Japan’s Country Manager, Elizabeth Masamune, outlined the strengths of Australia’s quality education before more than 50 media reporters.
Austrade Japan’s Technology team led the development of this project with NTT, and are now working with the education team to identify further opportunities for Australian providers.
NTT continues to rely on Austrade and will soon visit an Australian e-learning company as well as education institutions in Australia.
Latin America Education Market Update
On 17 February Austrade conducted a Latin America Education Market Update via videoconference with Sofia Pereira, Education Commissioner (Americas). Sofia provided a briefing to participants across Australia on Austrade’s strategy for Latin America, market trends and opportunities, and highlighted particular initiatives for each education sector.
Sofia was also joined by the Head of International Relations, Becas Chile, who provided an update on Australia’s outstanding performance in accessing Becas Chile scholarships and future opportunities for Australian providers.
Highlights of the videoconference will be available soon for MIP subscribers.
An image from the video conference shows participants from all over Australia and from Austrade’s office in Latin America.
Australian Education Excellence Showcase 2011 — India and Sri Lanka
The recent Australian Education Excellence Showcase 2011 has featured the expertise of the Australian education and training sector in India and Sri Lanka. The showcase covered eight cities in India and one city in Sri Lanka over the two week period.
Highlights included information sessions on emerging careers conducted by experts and sessions conducted by DIAC and alumni. The event received a positive response from a cross-section of prospective students, parents, local institutions, governments, corporates, partners and media.
The event was inaugurated on 16 Feb 2011 in New Delhi by Peter N. Varghese AO, Australian High Commissioner to India. It was also attended by Peter Linford (Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, Austrade), Peter Mackey ( Education Commissioner, Austrade), Peter Nolan (Education Counsellor, AEI) and Mr Geoffrey Conaghan, (Victorian Government Commissioner to India and Sri Lanka).
Left to right: Peter Varghese AO, Australian High Commissioner to India; Peter Linford, Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner; Mr Dhiraj Mathur, Executive Director, PwC.
Sample English Classes Initiative 2011, Thailand
Around 119 people participated in the successful Sample English Classes Initiative 2011 in Bangkok.
The Sample English Classes Initiative 2011 is a free trial for Thai students wanting to experience English classes taught by leading Australian education institutions. The classes were held on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 January 2011 at the Novotel Bangkok in Siam Square.
The Sample English Class Initiative is the first specific English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) program to be offered by Austrade Bangkok. The program seeks to present Australian ELICOS study in a unique way by inviting prospective students to experience a free English class in the heart of Bangkok’s tutoring district.
Australian Ambassador to Thailand James Wise and Austrade hosted a press conference on the Sample English Classes Initiative 2011 on Thursday 13 January 2011. A group of 20 journalists representing television, radio, newspapers, magazines, and website media attended.
Swinburne College and Box Hill Institute of TAFE, the participating Australian education institutions, also attended the press conference, as did appointed education agents and their alumni. Thai television media was well-represented at the press conference. A primetime report from Voice TV, a leading cable TV outlet in Thailand, can be here.
During the two-day sample classes, Swinburne College delivered the IELTS Preparation Class and English for Academic Purposes, while Box Hill Institute delivered Communication Skills in Action and Introduction to ‘The World of Business English’. There was also a special session on student visas by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
Following the classes, 100 per cent of the attendees said they were satisfied with the initiative and enjoyed the classroom atmosphere.
For further enquiries, please contact Mr Chanwit Chanchaisombat, Assistant Education Manager, Austrade Bangkok, +66 2 696 4835.
Participants in Free Sample English Class 2011 celebrate receiving their certificates of attendance from Australian providers Box Hill Institute and Swinburne College.
Austrade Education Agent Networking Reception 2011, Bangkok
Education agents and their representatives were recognised for their hard work in supporting and promoting Australia as a high quality study destination, at the Education Agent Networking Reception 2011, hosted by Austrade Bangkok.
The event began with a video presentation of Australia’s new national brand, Australia Unlimited, which was followed by a welcome speech from Charge d'Affaires, Mr Simon Farbenbloom. Austrade and AEI then spoke about forward directions for engagement with education agents.
Austrade, AEI and the Australian Embassy, Bangkok, will continue to strongly support the engagement between Thailand and Australia through education at the government-to-government level and strong institutional and agency relationships and at the student level.
Left to right: Mr Simon Farbenbloom, Charge d'Affaires, Australian Embassy; Ms Maurine Lam, Regional Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, ASEAN, Minister Commercial to Thailand, Austrade; Ms Busarin Sinthunavarat, Education Manager, Austrade; and Mr Udom Ditsamroeng – President of Thai International Education Consultants Association.
DAWN Education Expo highlights opportunities
The DAWN Education Expo, the largest of its kind in Pakistan, was held between 6 and 13 February in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.
The Expo helped Australian institutions and their local representatives showcase their educational capabilities, and understand the educational opportunities in the market, including some of the scholarships available to Pakistani students studying abroad.
Pakistan’s education market for foreign education providers is currently growing along with Australia’s profile as a supplier of quality education services in the industry.
The Expo this year attracted record international participation, with over 120 leading foreign and local universities, colleges and higher education institutions. Austrade managed the Australian stand this year, which featured 14 institutions.