Mr Colin Walters, CEO of AEI led the Australian delegation which also discussed how to promote two way student mobility between Australian and Japan, and the importance of strengthening quality assurance arrangements and frameworks to support mobility of students, academics and providers. Both governments agreed to work more closely to collaborate on these issues, and to build on the successful outcomes under the Prime Minister’s Education Assistance Program for Japan, to promote further collaboration between Australian and Japanese institutions.

 

Research conducted by AEI on internationalisation of higher education in Japan was also reviewed at the dialogue. AEI Research Manager, Mr Christopher Lawson will present the findings at the Australian International Education Conference in Melbourne in October 2012. A full report will be published on the AEI website later this year. 

 

The Dialogue was followed by an Australia-Japan Roundtable on Internationalisation in Higher Education on 4 September.  Leading Japanese universities shared their thoughts on how to promote two-way student mobility and the challenges universities face as they internationalise.  Japanese universities gave very positive feedback on their student’s experiences in Australia, noting that short 6-8 week exchange programs were favoured by Japanese students, and that exchange opportunities with Australian universities were valued.  Japanese universities noted that relationships with Australian institutions thrived at both faculty and university-wide levels.  Roundtable participants were interested in Australian developments in international education and saw many opportunities to work collaboratively with their Australian university partners as they strengthened their international operations.

 

For a list of participating universities or more details contact Karen Sandercock, Counsellor (Education and Research), AEI Japan at karen.sandercock@dfat.gov.au or +81 3 5232-4055.

 

Participants at the Higher Education Roundtable.