News and Opportunities
Austrade update 24 November 2010
24 Nov 2010
Austrade Update provides news about recent Austrade activities of interest to the education sector
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International Education Expo in Bangkok highlights study abroad opportunities
The recent 7th International Education Expo, organised by the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC), gave students the chance to explore study abroad opportunities and meet representatives from education institutions overseas as part of the scholarship program offered by OCSC, which grants about 250 scholarships for Thais to study abroad each year.
Austrade was among 25 Australian exhibitors who participated in the expo from
6–7 November 2010. OCSC reported that the annual expo attracted more than 200 institutions from more than 20 countries, and about 27 000 visitors attended the two-day expo — 15 000 on Saturday and 12 000 on Sunday.
OCSC is a Royal Thai Government Agency under the Office of the Prime Minister. Key responsibilities of the OCSC include carrying out the administration of Thai Government scholarships, and providing oversight of government officials and private students studying abroad. The body is also responsible for accrediting degrees, vocational and professional diplomas and other educational credentials for the purpose of appointment to the civil service.
Ms Maurine Lam, Regional Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner from Austrade Bangkok attended the opening ceremony and address by Mr Charnvit Krairiksh, OCSC Deputy Secretary General.
Austrade staff reported interest across a variety of areas including business, law, education, information technology, computer and political sciences, psychology, medicine, science, engineering, arts, communication arts and English. About 1000 people visited Austrade’s booth. Austrade staff answered questions and directed visitors to Australian providers at the event as appropriate.
Austrade staff also gave a presentation about the Australian education system to about 100 students and parents at the event.
Representatives of international education promotional bodies from various countries, including Austrade and the British Council, spoke of their respective educational strengths at a press conference for the expo.
During the press conference Ms Lam said that a diversified academic program offering business, law, environmental sustainability, digital media, nanotechnology and biotechnology was among Australia’s strengths in education. The fact that Australia is a safe and welcoming destination for international students and the value of studying in an English-speaking country was also highlighted by Ms Lam.
Last year, this event was reported to attract approximately 35 000 visitors. The visitor number this year dropped by 23 per cent, which may partly be due to the recent flood situation in the central and northeast regions and two exhibitions held at different venues in Bangkok during the same weekend — a Commart (IT) Expo and Thailand Travel Expo.
Ms Maurine Lam (centre), Regional Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, ASEAN North, Minister Commercial, Austrade, visits the Austrade booth at OCSC expo 2010. Pictured with Mr Chanwit Chanchaisombat (left) and Ms Korbua Laorujijinda (right), Education Managers, Austrade.
Higher Education Journalist of the Year studies Europe under Austrade’s tutelage
Campus Review deputy editor John Ross was recently awarded the 2010 Prime Minister’s prize for education journalism. Ross decided to use the prize money to visit Europe to compare and contrast the European approach to education and policy with that of Australia.
Mr Ross gained extensive insight into Europe’s higher education sector by witnessing Austrade Europe’s Visiting Researcher Program in action in Spain, UK, Sweden, Norway, Germany, France and Belgium.
‘My whirlwind tour of Europe was a real eye-opener. It helped me see how higher education systems can operate on some fundamentally different precepts to those I’m accustomed to at home,’ Mr Ross said.
‘It also helped me understand the challenges and opportunities Europe poses for Australian universities,’ he said, adding that the tour was also a ‘door-opener’.
Inside nine days Mr Ross had the opportunity to interview three ambassadors, a national higher education agency chief, the head of a national research council, institutional leaders, top researchers and people from the policy powerhouses of Paris and Brussels.
Ross also visited the European Union’s Commission on Education to speak with experts on Europe’s flagship mobility programs such as Erasmus, and research and innovation transfer opportunities to third-country destinations such as Australia.
‘A big thanks to Austrade for organising all this. Their European team took time out of their schedules to provide background and steer me to the right doors.’
Ross has published several articles following his visit including an interview with Australia’s Ambassador to the EU and former Education Minister Dr Brendan Nelson.
Left to Right: Mr John Ross, Campus Review; Dr Endika Bengoetxea, European Commission — Erasmus; and Dr Nicholas Baker, Trade Commissioner France and Belgium.
Successful Australian Vocational and Higher Education Exhibition 2010 in Vietnam
Now in its sixth year, the Australian Vocational and Higher Education Exhibition 2010 again raised the profile of Australian universities, vocational institutes and colleges to Vietnamese students and their families. This year, more than 65 Australian universities, vocational institutes and colleges participated in exhibitions in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi during 13–14 November. The exhibitions were well-attended in each location with over 2100 visitors in Ho Chi Minh City and 1000 in Hanoi, reflecting the high interest from Vietnamese parents and students to study overseas, with Australia as the preferred destination.
The exhibition was sponsored by the Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET), Perth Education City, ANZ Bank, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, and Malaysia Airlines.
Displaying a whole-of-government approach to promoting study in Australia, the exhibition attracted strong involvement from Australian Government agencies including the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Australian Education International and AusAID. The Vietnam International Education Development, Ministry of Education and Training also participated in the exhibition to provide information about Vietnamese Government scholarships.
Mr Graeme Swift, Consul General, Australian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, opened the exhibition, emphasising the long standing and close relationship between Australia and Vietnam in the area of education and training.
The event received wide media coverage in Vietnam, raising Australia’s education profile in an increasingly crowded market and promoting awareness of Australian study opportunities.
Left to right: Mr Christopher Campbell, Group Managing Director, Academies Australasia; Mr Graeme Swift, Consul General, Australian Consulate General; Mr Steve Quirk, International Engagement Manager, ACPET; Mr Tony Burchill, Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, Austrade; Mr Peter Mackey, Education Commissioner, Austrade
