UQ wins training contracts for China and Japan

The University of Queensland has won several significant contracts to provide training programs, including its first project from China, and repeat business in Japan.

The University's Institute of Continuing & TESOL Education (ICTE) has been successful against strong competition from US and UK providers to supply training for 40 high school teachers funded by the Shanghai Provincial Education Commission.

ICTE Director Chris Bundesen said the University would provide an eight week in-service professional development training program in English and Methodology in July-August this year, with the project worth $160,000.

"This is ICTE's first project from China and is a significant foot in the door to China," she said. "It follows several years of negotiations."

"ICTE has also been successful through open tender in a significant contract to provide English language and Technical Studies training programs for the second year in a row to one of Japan's largest associations of tertiary education institutions."

It will supply the programs to the Tokyo Colleges Association (TCA), which has 90 Junior College members in the Tokyo region. The four week program is targeted at 150 students from colleges throughout the greater Tokyo region. This follows on from ICTE's tender win and highly successful delivery of the program in 1999. This project value is almost $400,000 for program and accommodation costs.

"Both contracts will provide the University with strong promotional bases in Japan and China to springboard other education and training opportunities," Ms Bundesen said.

"The Japanese contract will further profile ICTE to the 90 TCA Junior Colleges and beyond for prospective further studies in English language and continuing education. It will highlight ICTE capacities for development of travel and learn programs, and continuing education, and will showcase The University of Queensland for prospective further studies opportunities."

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