獎學金項目鞏固澳中教育關系

首個澳中兩國間的大學獎學金項目將進一步鞏固雙方在高等教育領域的關系。

今天，澳大利亞高等教育部長克里斯·埃文斯參議員（Chris Evans）在堪培拉舉辦的"澳中教育聯合工作組磋商會議"后宣布了這項獎學金項目。

"這項舉措將為澳中兩國各100名本科生和研究生提供到對方國家短期學習的機會。"埃文斯參議員說。

"澳大利亞的大學是澳大利亞同中國在教育領域開展合作的主要推動力量。在澳大利亞大學注冊的國際學生中，中國學生約占40%-比來自其他任何國家的學生都要多；而且澳大利亞是最受中國學生歡迎的留學目的地國家之一。"

盡管這項獎學金項目的詳細內容尚在制定當中，每份獎學金的金額為2500澳元，此外，澳大利亞政府將通過與大學密切協商的方式來管理澳方的大學獎學金項目。

同樣在今天，埃文斯參議員和中國教育部杜玉波副部長共同批準了一項聯合工作計劃的提案。這項工作計劃確定了未來兩年澳中教育合作的重點領域。

"我期待著通過聯合工作計劃所提議的廣泛的交流項目，進一步加強澳中兩國密切而良好的教育關系"埃文斯參議員說。

聯合工作計劃涵蓋了一系列項目，例如：在質量保障和標準方面開展更緊密的合作，在澳大利亞提升對于留學中國的認識，以及在一流的澳中大學間開展博士生聯合培養項目。

這項聯合工作計劃建立在兩國現有的重要教育合作基礎之上。最近澳大利亞政府推出的舉措包括：

"在澳大利亞總理朱麗亞·吉拉德（The Hon Julia Gillard MP）訪華前夕，于今年四月續簽的《中華人民共和國政府與澳大利亞政府關于相互承認高等教育學歷和學位的協議》；

"澳大利亞政府額外撥款10萬澳元，用于支持更多的人員參與已實施多年的"中澳大學校長領導能力建設項目" --這是一項澳中大學領導間的交流項目；

"澳大利亞政府為八校聯盟（Group of Eight）撥款10萬澳元，以支持在澳中一流的科研大學間建立"科研領導能力建設項目".

"我于2010年11月的中國之行著重強調了教育在澳中雙邊關系中的重要作用。新的大學獎學金項目以及聯合工作計劃進一步證明了日益牢固的澳中教育關系，"埃文斯參議員說。

"澳大利亞政府始終致力于出臺一系列舉措以促進更大規模的澳中兩國間學生和學者的流動，并協助促進兩國大學之間更緊密的聯系。"

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