Â鶹ÊÓƵ of Queensland has commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Queensland-Saitama sister state relationship with an agreement to strengthen English language education ties.
The agreement of cooperation between Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s Institute of Continuing and TESOL Education (ICTE-Â鶹ÊÓƵ) and Saitama Prefectural University was signed as part of official anniversary celebrations hosted by Queensland Deputy Premier Tim Nicholls and Saitama Prefecture Governor Kiyoshi Ueda at Parliament House on Monday this week.
Â鶹ÊÓƵ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Høj said the University was eager to see its relationship with Queensland’s sister state flourish.
“Â鶹ÊÓƵ agreements with Japanese partners have underpinned a growing network of research activities in areas of global importance, such as sustainable food production and biosecurity,” Professor Høj said.
“Japan is also Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s strongest student exchange partner in Asia.”
Professor Høj said in 2013 more than 55 students from Â鶹ÊÓƵ and Â鶹ÊÓƵ partner universities in Japan participated in exchange programs.
“Â鶹ÊÓƵ aims to graduate young people who are internationally competent and attuned to different cultures and our relations with Japanese people and society are intrinsic to this.”
More than 170 students from Saitama Prefectural University have studied intensive English language programs at ICTE-Â鶹ÊÓƵ since 2005.
ICTE-Â鶹ÊÓƵ director Ms Christine Bundesen said the agreement with Saitama Prefectural University cemented a ten-year relationship.
“ICTE-Â鶹ÊÓƵ is a strong supporter of Saitama’s goal to develop an internationally literate workforce,” Ms Bundesen said.
“This agreement demonstrates the institute’s commitment to strengthening this partnership.”
In addition to English language training programs for students from Saitama Prefectural University, ICTE-Â鶹ÊÓƵ has awarded English language and professional internship scholarships to students and professionals in Saitama and delivers annual English language training programs for the state’s primary and high school teachers in partnership with Education Queensland International.
Saitama Prefecture Governor Kiyoshi Ueda and state delegates, including Saitama Prefectural University President Professor Yoshihiko Miura, will visit Â鶹ÊÓƵ on Wednesday 30 July.
Media: Frances Wickerson, f.wickerson@icte.uq.edu.au or +61 7 3346 6712
