Premier meets with China’s Ministry of Education to strengthen vocational education and training links

• Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to meet with China’s Ministry of Education
• A high-powered Queensland delegation is accompanying the Premier to facilitate discussions around advancing tertiary and vocational education opportunities
• China is Queensland’s largest home country of international student enrolments

The Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will met with senior government officials to promote Queensland’s outstanding higher education and vocational education opportunities.

The Premier will be joined by a high-powered Queensland education delegation, which includes:

• The University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor, Professor Deborah Terry AO
• Queensland University of Technology Vice-Chancellor, Professor Margaret Shiel AO
• Griffith University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Carolyn Evans
• University of Southern Queensland Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Glen Coleman
• James Cook University Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Maree Dinan-Thompson
• Bond University Vice President Future Students, Ms Cheryl Jolliffe, and
• TAFE Queensland International General Manager Mr Russell Mckay.

The meeting will highlight global talent opportunities through collaboration and cooperation, Queensland’s interest in hosting China Scholarship Council students, and further collaboration on VET sector partnerships.

It is the first time the parties have met since the borders have re-opened post COVID-19.

China is Queensland’s largest source of international student enrolments and a key market for international education providers and industry.

The Queensland delegation showcased why Queensland remains an international study destination of choice with 13 universities located at over 44 campuses.

Four of these institutions are ranked in the world’s leading universities.

Brisbane also ranks in the top 22 of the best student cities globally. More than $3.8 billion dollars in revenue is generated through Queensland’s International Education and Training sector.

This skills and knowledge development in Queensland’s universities and Vocational Education institutions also supports the state’s future-focused industries with world-class graduates.

Quotes attributed to the Premier of Queensland, Annastacia Palaszczuk:

“Queensland not only has world ranked universities, it also has leading vocational education and training institutions.

“Today’s important roundtable discussions allow us to promote our interest in hosting China Scholarship Council students and a willingness to cooperate further on VET sector partnerships.

“International students are valuable to both Queensland’s economy and to the social fabric of our state – becoming life-long ambassadors for Queensland.

“I travelled to China when I was younger and gained so much from the experience. It’s something I hope Chinese students experience when they travel to Queensland.

“Education brings us together and meeting China’s Ministry of Education has allowed us to deepen that valuable connection.”

Quotes attributable to University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor Deborah Terry AO:

 “The University collaborates with Chinese universities and industry partners on globally significant research – from the production of low-emission iron and steel to the development of novel treatments for macular degeneration.

“We also have a healthy exchange of expertise through our alumni community.

“One of the best examples is that of Dr Xiaoyi Sun and her late husband Dr Jian Zhou who worked alongside Professor Ian Frazer on the development of the HPV vaccine.”

Quotes attributable to QUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Sheil:

“China is a significant and quality partner for Queensland in many sectors and for higher education is a valued partner in research, student engagement and collaboration in many complex and challenging areas that we share from climate change to infectious diseases.
“The scale of opportunity to work with our Chinese partners includes areas as diverse as aged care, education challenges for children, to sports, biofuels and engineering, and how to deal with global warming.”

Quotes attributable to Griffith University Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans:

“During this visit, Griffith looks forward to continuing to deepen our education and research partnerships with leading Chinese institutions.

“We look forward to celebrating the 50^th year of our partnership with Sun Yat Sen University and signing Memorandums of Understanding with several new partners.”

Further information:

• China is Queensland’s largest source of international student enrolments and a key market for international education providers and industry.
• China is a top 10 investor in Australia and is a significant investor in Queensland. Major sectors of investment include energy and mining, agriculture, finance, and tourism infrastructure.  
• Study Queensland is a business unit within Trade and Investment Queensland dedicated to promoting Queensland as a premier study destination and a preferred partner for education and training, research and innovation.
• Queensland's global business agency, Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ), has four offices in China, across Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu and Guangzhou.

ENDS