The Andrews Labor Government is strengthening ties with China to bring our education systems and schools closer together.
Minister for Education James Merlino and Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos today arrived in China, our largest trading partner, for a one week education trade mission.
The visit forms part of the Government’s ambitious China Strategy, which will improve Victoria’s economic, cultural and personal ties with China and create more jobs and business opportunities.
International education was worth $5.6 billion to Victoria’s economy last financial year, while the International Student Program in government schools is estimated to generate more than $141 million for the economy and create more than 1,000 jobs each year.
Both Ministers will engage with the Chinese Ministry of Education and other key stakeholders to promote Victoria as a destination for Chinese international students and broker new professional partnerships, teacher exchanges and curriculum collaborations.
The mission will cover Beijing, Tianjin, Chengdu and Shanghai. It will include meetings with Chinese alumni of Victorian schools, education and early childhood service providers, major radio and television networks to promote the Victoria-China education relationship and attending the 5th VCE-in-China Conference.
Victoria has a strong education partnership with China – built around the long-standing sister-state relationship with Jiangsu Province, initiatives like the Victorian Young Leaders Program to China and 172 sister school relationships between Chinese and Victorian schools.
Both the Victorian and Chinese Governments have a strong interest in an inclusive education system, supporting children with additional learning needs in early childhood education and care.
Victoria is on the cutting-edge of research and practice regarding effective learning programs, including ‘intentional teaching’ and play-based learning, which are of growing interest internationally.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“Victoria is one of the most popular destinations worldwide for Chinese international students — this is a reflection of our strong Education State.”
“Having international students in Victorian schools helps build the intercultural understanding of local students, supports language learning in schools and better equips our students with the skills they need to succeed both at home and abroad.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos
“This visit is an important step in building stronger ties between the Victorian and Chinese early childhood systems and creating opportunities to share our languages and culture from an early age.”
“I'm looking forward to a valuable exchange of ideas, knowledge and experience on early childhood education and to see first-hand what China is doing to benefit its youngest citizens.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020