Kingston International College signs Chinese joint venture

24/04/04
State Development Minister Clive Brown today officiated at a joint venture signing ceremony between Kingston International College, Western Australia, and Jing Ying College in Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.
"This joint venture reinforces WA's international reputation for excellence in educational services and provides a platform to encourage Chinese students to consider further opportunities to undertake undergraduate studies in Perth," Mr Brown said.
"Offshore study programs are a cost-effective introduction to international education because they enable a greater number of students to acquire new skills without having to leave their country.
"The programs also provide another revenue stream for international colleges based in WA, as is the case with this multi-million dollar Kingston International College-Jing Ying College joint venture."
The joint venture will result in English language training being delivered at the Jing Ying College and is one of a number of joint venture opportunities Kingston College is pursuing in China.
"The proposed second stage plans to offer diploma level studies through twinning arrangements with Kingston International College," the Minister said.
"This will provide options to complete degree qualifications in Australia, preferably in WA."
More than 30,000 overseas students from about 75 countries are presently studying in WA, with nearly 3,000 from mainland China and another 2,400 from Hong Kong.
WA institutions deliver education and training to more than 10,000 offshore students in many overseas destinations, including China.
"The expanding Chinese education market offers enormous opportunities for WA education providers, which have been actively promoted by the Gallop Government," Mr Brown said.
The Minister is in China as part of a 11-day mission involving a broad range of industry and governmental meetings in Guangzhou, Beijing, Shijiazhuang, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Yiwu.
The Minister is accompanied by 16 members of the WA Chinese Chamber of Commerce and is being joined by senior representatives from Australia LNG, Gorgon Australia, BHP Billiton Petroleum and the Fortescue Metals Group.
Mr Brown said the Gallop Government continued to place increasing importance on developing business and cultural ties between WA and China.
"WA's rapidly developing trade relations with China play an important role in maintaining the State's position as Australia's leading State economy," he said.
Minister's office: 9222 9699