The Andrews Labor Government is strengthening international ties and creating new opportunities for trade and business between Victoria and Latin America with the launch of an alumni network in Chile.
The Victorian Alumni Network brings together alumni of Victorian Universities who are now living in Chile and aims to create strong connections with international students after they’ve finished studying in Victoria.
Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade Philip Dalidakis launched the network at an event with Victorian university alumni living in Chile during a trade mission to South America.
Former international students studying in Victoria have gone on to become important ambassadors for the state, using their experiences to promote Victoria in their home countries and create new business opportunities.
Latin America is an emerging market for international education and the number of students from Chile enrolled to study in Victoria has increased by more than 51 per cent between 2011 and 2016.
Mr Dalidakis also announced that the Labor Government would be providing a grant to the Santiago Saints Australian rules football club to help build a new clubhouse after a fire recently destroyed their facilities.
Aussie rules football is growing in popularity in South America thanks to Victoria’s growing relationship with Chile and other South American countries, and the constant stream of Victorians taking their expertise in mining and other sectors across the Pacific.
International education is Victoria’s largest service based export contributing more than $7.1 billion to the economy and supporting the jobs of more than 30,000 Victorians across the state.
Exports play a crucial role in boosting Victoria’s economy, with the total number of exports over the year to June rising 10 per cent to be worth a record $46 billion.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade Philip Dalidakis
”Victoria is renowned for having one of the best international student experiences in the world, and we want to ensure those relationships don’t end when students head home.”
“South America is an emerging market that offers Victorian businesses plenty of potential to expand – and that expansion will create Victorian jobs.”
“The popularity of the Santiago Saints is a great example of how Chile and Victoria are developing a great relationship and we wish the club every success in the future.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020