China Australia TAFE College to be officially opened in Chinese province of Anhui

23/10/98

Employment and Training Minister Graham Kierath today left for China to officially open a new TAFE College.

Mr Kierath will open the new college, to be known as the Anhui China Australia TAFE College, in the Chinese province of Anhui on Tuesday.

The college will initially offer studies in English language and business to fee-paying students and local corporations.

It is jointly managed by the Western Australian Department of Training and the Anhui Science and Technology Commission.

Mr Kierath will also attend meetings with officials from commercial and Government groups in China during his week-long visit.

The opening of the college is a significant step in development of co-operation on vocational education projects between Western Australia and China and provides valuable links between the State Government and commercial groups in China.

TAFE WA is providing services for the campus via a steering committee, chaired by Western Australian Department of Training Chief Executive Ian Hill. Provision of vocational education and training services will be managed by Central Metropolitan College of TAFE.

The college will operate in refurbished buildings until completion of a new campus which is expected by 2000. All capital costs will be met by the Anhui Provincial Government.

Anhui has a population of 60 million people, with over 12 million living in the capital city of Hefei.

The province's main industries are agriculture, mining, manufacturing, science and technology. It has many institutes of higher learning and research, including a special zone dedicated to new technology, but until now has not had a campus delivering vocational education and training.

Media contact: Steve Manchee 9213 6400