News and Opportunities
Austrade update 8 June 2011
08 Jun 2011
Austrade Update provides news about recent Austrade activities of interest to the education sector
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Minister announces results of review of Austrade
The results of a review of Austrade were announced by the Minister for Trade, the Hon Dr Craig Emerson MP, on 17 May 2011. The review confirmed that education remains central to Austrade’s mission, on an equal footing with Austrade’s other core responsibilities.
In his media release the Minister stated, ‘Austrade will continue its important role in promoting Australia's education and training capabilities in all major markets’.
Dr Emerson’s media release also noted that more of Austrade's work will be undertaken in the world's frontier and emerging markets, where Australian businesses can benefit most from government support. As a result, Austrade will be adjusting its international presence and will look to establish offices in Mongolia and Central Asia and strengthen its presence in Latin America, China and Africa. To achieve this, Austrade will close some small offices in Europe and North America and will rationalise its staffing in some locations. For example, Austrade's resources in North America and Europe markets will be heavily focused on attracting foreign direct investment in the future as well as supporting the international education sector.
The expansion of Austrade’s presence in emerging markets is a highly positive development for the education sector, as it means Austrade will be better positioned to assist clients access opportunities in parts of the world in which education and training are critical to capacity building and national development. Although a small number of Posts in North America and Europe will close, Austrade’s capacity to service education clients in these regions remains strong.
Austrade participation in Indian career fair
Austrade participated in a New Delhi Career Fair organised by the Amity School on 30 April 2011. Amity Group is a leading education business, with 60 000 students pursuing more than 240 programs.
Austrade used an information desk at the fair to provide information and distribute promotional material to attending students. Austrade also represented six Australian universities which participated virtually in the fair.
The fair had participation from other international education providers including the US, UK, Singapore, Switzerland, France and Canada. While students and parents actively interacted with all education providers, it was noted that the Australia desk did not receive as many enquiries as was hoped, highlighting the need for greater profiling and communication of quality Australian education opportunities.
Indonesian health sector hears from Australian experts
To highlight Australia’s capability in medical research and world-class experience in the health industry, the Australian Embassy in Jakarta recently held a workshop called Infectious Diseases: Controls, Ethics and Management.
In statistics released by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Indonesia’s fundamental health indicators show only marginal improvement over a 20-year period. While these figures are in part the result of a number of social and environmental factors, the lack of resources dedicated to the country’s health sector is one area in particular that can be improved.
More than 150 local health and medical practitioners, researchers, and representatives from the Indonesian Ministry of Health, WHO and numerous non-government organisations attended the workshop to learn about ethics, controlling hospital infections, issues relating to HIV treatment and Australia’s niche offerings in the industry.
Austrade Jakarta organised the workshop in partnership with the Indonesian Hospital Association and Sydney University Medical School. Australia-Indonesia ties in the health industry were strengthened through this event, with an increase in the transfer of knowledge expected to follow.