News and Opportunities
Austrade update 26 October 2011
26 Oct 2011
Austrade Update provides news about recent Austrade activities of interest to the education sector.
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Australia connects with top Italian researchers on clean energy
Catalysis sciences specialist Dr Jorge Beltramini met with research experts and postgraduate students from four key Italian universities as part of the Visiting Researcher Program instigated by Austrade. The Italian researchers, all authorities in their fields, expressed a keen interest in pursuing joint projects with Dr Beltramini.
Italy is a key player in the renewable energy sector and much can be gained from knowledge sharing and developing research collaborations with local researchers and industry. One of Italy’s largest local energy companies indicated a strong interest in learning more about Dr Beltramini’s research.
The discussions led by Dr Beltramini centred on the use of catalytic technologies for clean energy applications and the need for international collaboration to develop effective, globally relevant clean energy solutions for the future.
Dr Beltramini’s presentations to students on postgraduate study and research opportunities in Australia also drew a high level of interest, with new enrolments already underway.
Professor Pio Forzatti, Professor Enrico Tronconi, Dr Carlo Visconti (all from the Politecnico di Milano) with Professor Jorge Beltramini (University of Queensland) second from the left.
Education interest rising in Russia and Kazakhstan
Growing interest in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) market in terms of both student recruitment and long-term institutional linkages was reflected during the largest Austrade education initiative in CIS since 2008.
Austrade Moscow recently supported a strong Australian presence in Russia and Kazakhstan, reflecting 33 per cent growth in applications from CIS students in 2011. Linked to the European Association for International Education (EAIE) event in Copenhagen, the two-part mission saw more than 14 institutions participate in five cities.
In Russia, Austrade supported providers participating in the Begin Group International Education Fair in Moscow, St Petersburg and Kazan, including conducting a well-attended agent seminar at the Australian Embassy. The Kazakhstan leg, which followed EAIE, was a dedicated Australia-New Zealand roadshow, arranged by a local agent in Astana and Almaty with Austrade support.
With growing emphasis on internalisation of education, CIS markets offer promising opportunities for Australian providers.
Education links in Atlanta
Education representatives from Georgia will visit Australia in November with Georgia’s Lieutenant Governor for meetings with counterparts in Sydney and Melbourne.
The visit follows an address by Australian scholar Dr Matthew Allen, head of the Department of Internet Studies at Curtin University, to more than 100 university and industry attendees at Kennesaw State University, north of Atlanta, on new challenges in education, such as online learning, knowledge networks and edgeless universities.
The lecture was introduced by Trade Commissioner Duncan Cole, who discussed the relationship between Australian and US universities and how Austrade can assist in linking institutions, particularly in areas of collaborative research.
Taiwan introduces Future Unlimited brand
The new Future Unlimited branding was launched in Taipei and Kaohsiung recently, during the 2011 Study in Australia Exhibition, the major Australian education marketing activity in Taiwan.
Designed to incorporate a lively display of Future Unlimited imagery, the exhibition attracted 59 Australian institutions across all sectors of education. Additional features included a high calibre seminar series (run in conjunction with the main exhibition), a dedicated schools zone and comprehensive services for Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visitors. This year’s exhibition was sponsored by Perth Education City, ANZ Bank and Singapore Airlines.
Almost 6000 visitors attended across the three day exhibition. Initial feedback indicated a healthy number of genuine enquiries from prospective students, suggesting the market’s returning strengths. The exhibition platform proved to be not only an effective education development opportunity, but also a window for Taiwanese students to a Future Unlimited education in Australia.
With dates for the next exhibition tentatively set for 6–9 October 2012, institutions are encouraged to mark their calendars for this key marketing event. Australian institutions are also strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of profile awareness in the Taiwan market to ensure Australia remains one of the leading destinations for outbound Taiwanese students.