奖学金项目巩固澳中教育关系

首个澳中两国间的大学奖学金项目将进一步巩固双方在高等教育领域的关系。

今天，澳大利亚高等教育部长克里斯·埃文斯参议员（Chris Evans）在堪培拉举办的"澳中教育联合工作组磋商会议"后宣布了这项奖学金项目。

"这项举措将为澳中两国各100名本科生和研究生提供到对方国家短期学习的机会。"埃文斯参议员说。

"澳大利亚的大学是澳大利亚同中国在教育领域开展合作的主要推动力量。在澳大利亚大学注册的国际学生中，中国学生约占40%-比来自其他任何国家的学生都要多；而且澳大利亚是最受中国学生欢迎的留学目的地国家之一。"

尽管这项奖学金项目的详细内容尚在制定当中，每份奖学金的金额为2500澳元，此外，澳大利亚政府将通过与大学密切协商的方式来管理澳方的大学奖学金项目。

同样在今天，埃文斯参议员和中国教育部杜玉波副部长共同批准了一项联合工作计划的提案。这项工作计划确定了未来两年澳中教育合作的重点领域。

"我期待着通过联合工作计划所提议的广泛的交流项目，进一步加强澳中两国密切而良好的教育关系"埃文斯参议员说。

联合工作计划涵盖了一系列项目，例如：在质量保障和标准方面开展更紧密的合作，在澳大利亚提升对于留学中国的认识，以及在一流的澳中大学间开展博士生联合培养项目。

这项联合工作计划建立在两国现有的重要教育合作基础之上。最近澳大利亚政府推出的举措包括：

"在澳大利亚总理朱丽亚·吉拉德（The Hon Julia Gillard MP）访华前夕，于今年四月续签的《中华人民共和国政府与澳大利亚政府关于相互承认高等教育学历和学位的协议》；

"澳大利亚政府额外拨款10万澳元，用于支持更多的人员参与已实施多年的"中澳大学校长领导能力建设项目" --这是一项澳中大学领导间的交流项目；

"澳大利亚政府为八校联盟（Group of Eight）拨款10万澳元，以支持在澳中一流的科研大学间建立"科研领导能力建设项目".

"我于2010年11月的中国之行着重强调了教育在澳中双边关系中的重要作用。新的大学奖学金项目以及联合工作计划进一步证明了日益牢固的澳中教育关系，"埃文斯参议员说。

"澳大利亚政府始终致力于出台一系列举措以促进更大规模的澳中两国间学生和学者的流动，并协助促进两国大学之间更紧密的联系。"

Scholarships build stronger education ties with China

Higher education ties between Australia and China are being strengthened through the first Australian Government university scholarship program between the countries.

Minister for Tertiary Education, Senator Chris Evans, announced the program today after a meeting in Canberra of the Australia-China Joint Working Group on Cooperation in Education and Training.

“This initiative will offer short term study opportunities for up to 100 undergraduate and post graduate students in each country,” Senator Evans said.

“Australia's university sector is a major driver of cooperation with China. Around 40 per cent of international university enrolments in Australia come from China─more than any other nation─and Australia is one of the most popular destinations for Chinese students studying abroad.”

While details of the program are still being finalised, each scholarship will be valued at $2,500 and the Australian component of the program will be managed in close consultation with the university sector.

Also today, Senator Evans and Chinese Ministry of Education Vice-Minister Du Yubo endorsed a proposed joint work plan outlining priorities for engagement between China and Australia for the next two years.

“I look forward to seeing the excellent education relationship between Australia and

China further strengthened through the wide range of proposed activities and exchanges outlined in the plan,” Senator Evans said.

The plan covers activities including closer cooperation on quality assurance and standards, increasing awareness in Australia of study opportunities in China, and developing joint PhD programs between leading Chinese and Australian universities.

The work plan builds on the already significant education cooperation between the countries. Recent initiatives include:

· The Arrangement on Higher Education Qualifications Recognition, which was renewed in April before Prime Minister Julia Gillard's visit to China.

· An extra $100,000 to support increased participation in the long-running China-Australia Executive Leadership Program - an exchange initiative for university leaders.

· $100,000 to the Group of Eight to support the establishment of the Research Leadership Executive Shadowing Program between leading research universities in Australia and China.

“My visit to China in November 2010 highlighted the vital role that education plays in the bilateral relationship. The new scholarship program and work plan are further examples of that relationship strengthening,” Senator Evans said.

“The Australian Government remains committed to initiatives that deliver greater mobility for students and academics between Australia and China, and help foster closer links between our universities.”

Senator Evans' Media Contacts: Karen Brown 0413 080 956

Rhys Davies 0411 138 572

DEEWR Media: media@deewr.gov.au

Non-media enquiries: 1300 363 079