Bulletin

Issue: March/April 2008

News

Discussions for new China links

Vice-Chancellor Professor Johnson, centre left, and Consul General Mr Liang flanked by Professor Probert and Professor Brown. At the rear are Professor Pei, second from left, and Chief Education Consul Mr Wang with Education Consuls Mr Zhu Guoliang, left, and Mr Zhang Yichuan, right.

La Trobe University is in the early stages of discussion for a part in a new venture in China – the Joint Research Institute of International Biological Medicine. The Institute, in Tianjin, northern China, is based at the Binhai New Area of the Tianjin Economical- Technological Development Zone and at Nankai University, Tianjin.

Jointly funded by China's Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and Tianjin, it was established in 2006. Tianjin is China's third largest urban area, after Shanghai and Beijing.

Mr Wang Wenxuan, China's Chief Education Consul in Melbourne, said the institute would be an excellent fit with La Trobe's established expertise in agricultural and biological sciences, developing bioscience technology and training high-level professionals.

In partnership with the Victorian Government, La Trobe is establishing a new $230 million world-class agricultural research facility, the Biosciences Research Centre (BRC), and finalising plans for the Australian Institute of Molecular Medicine (AIMM) – see previous issue of the Bulletin for details.

Mr Wang said the Consulate-General would assist if La Trobe wanted to pursue expanded cooperation through the Tianjin institute. Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Johnson expressed strong interest as it related to key areas of the University's teaching and research.

News of the proposal came during a recent visit by senior members of the University to the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Melbourne to highlight the continuing friendship between La Trobe and China.

Hosted by the Consul-General, Mr Liang Shugen, visitors included Vice-Chancellor Johnson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Tim Brown, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Belinda Probert and the Executive Director of La Trobe's Centre for China Studies, Professor Pei Likun.

Commenting on La Trobe's efforts in developing exchange programs and cooperation with Chinese universities and research institutions over many years, Mr Liang said he believed the University's new leadership would reinforce the bilateral relationship and 'promote the cooperation to a new level'.

'The Centre for China Studies established by La Trobe University, Peking University and Beijing Foreign Studies University provides unique opportunities for scholars from China and Australia to develop collaborative research and academic exchange programs.'

Professor Johnson thanked the Consul- General for his country's continuing cooperation and support for relationships between La Trobe and Chinese universities.

'La Trobe University will bring the cooperation with Chinese partners to a more extensive level. The University seeks to extend its exchange programs by encouraging more students studying overseas including China,' Professor Johnson said.

Other topics discussed at the meeting included opportunities for Australian students to study in China, PhD programs sponsored by the Chinese government, promotion of Chinese language and culture in Australia, government funding and higher education resource allocations.