Queensland positioned as world-class education provider

SINGAPORE: Queensland Minister for Trade John Mickel today toured James Cook University’s newly acquired Singapore campus.

"James Cook University has had to find bigger premises for its campus to meet growing demand," Mr Mickel said.

“After the March 2008 enrolment, the Singapore campus will host 1200 students, up from an initial intake of 50 students four years ago. It is projected that there will be more than 2500 students by the end of 2009, with growth already exceeding the capacity of the current rented premises at Spring Singapore.”

Mr Mickel said James Cook University was encouraging Queensland students to study for a semester in Singapore, with around 20 students to take advantage of a Singapore-based trimester year that allows them to finish their studies earlier than their counterparts in Australia.

The final days of Mr Mickel’s trade mission to China, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore have been devoted to raising the international profile of Queensland’s education services, facilities and expertise.

Yesterday in Ho Chi Minh city Mr Mickel joined Professor Ian O'Connor, Vice Chancellor of Griffith University, to present three scholarships for students from Vietnam’s Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.

To celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Australia-Vietnam's bilateral relationship, Griffith University announced the three English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) scholarships which include tuition fees, homestay fees, a local transportation allowance and Overseas Student Health Cover. The total value of the three scholarships is around A$38 000.

Griffith University’s activities in Vietnam include student recruitment through education agents, partnership with Vietnamese universities and partnerships with Vietnamese scholarship bodies.

In the past five years, the number of Vietnamese students studying in Queensland has grown on average by 28 per cent. English Language and Business Management courses are the most popular.

During the Vietnam leg of his trade mission Mr Mickel also met with the Vietnamese Vice Minister for Education Prof Tran Van Nhung to discuss scholarship and future education opportunities for Queensland schools and universities.

He also observed the signing of three articulation agreements between leading Queensland and Vietnamese institutions: Griffith University and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technical Education; the University of Queensland and the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology; and Griffith University and Danang University.

Media contact: Chris Brown 3237 1944, Shannon Mackay 3237 1125

James Cook University:

Jim O'Brien, Associate Director Media Liaison

Tel: +61 7 4781 4822

jim.obrien@jcu.edu.au

www.jcu.edu.au