Acpet China officially launches

In a move to further boost education ties between Australia and China, the Australian Council for Private Education and Training (Acpet) has announced the launch of Acpet China.

Photo: NSW Premier, Barry O’Farrell, Acpet CEO, Claire Field, and Acpet China Executive Officer,
Li Min.

The establishment of a permanent presence in China will provide in-country support to Acpet members that are currently active or wish to become active in the country, with the goal of official recognition by China’s Ministry of Education. It will also promote Australian education opportunities to Chinese students.

New South Wales (NSW) Premier, Barry O’Farrell, who is currently leading a high-level trade and investment delegation from NSW across China, launched Acpet China at an official function in the city of Chengdu attended by 30 member representatives, in-country partners and the media.

“NSW is focused on welcoming a growing number of international students to the state,” said Premier O’Farrell in his address. “The NSW government is working in cooperation with the Australian government to make it easier for students to study in Australia. We welcome international students and value the contribution of private providers in NSW.”

Acpet CEO, Claire Field, thanked the Premier for launching Acpet China and for his government’s recognition of the role of privately owned tertiary institutions. “Acpet’s presence in Chongqing will also assist us to establish high-level government, industry and provider relationships for our members,” said Field. “It is also a step towards our mission of providing better support and services to Chinese students coming to Australia.”

During the presentation, statistics were presented that showed in 2011 around 180,000 international students studied with Acpet member institutions – accounting for 33 per cent of total enrolments – and that Acpet members account for 47 per cent of tertiary level international students, a figure rising to 55 per cent in NSW. Approximately one third of Acpet’s 1,100 members are in NSW. Data also showed that 31 per cent of Chinese students in Australia currently study at a private institution.

At the ceremony, Acpet also announced the appointment of Li Min as Acpet Executive Officer for China, and her responsibilities will include leading and coordinating Acpet activities in China, establishing and maintaining high-level government contacts, and providing linkages to education and training for prospective students.

The establishment of Acpet China follows due diligence by Acpet and two large-scale delegation trips by Acpet members. Chongqing is the gateway city to western China with a population of 31.4 million spread across 42 districts. Importantly, it was also the location of the 2002-2007 Australia-China Chongqing Vocational Education and Training Project, which focussed on the development of vocational training and fostered knowledge of Australia’s VET system.