Curtin University, ranked in the top one per cent of universities worldwide, has a range of initiatives to ensure Chinese students can benefit from its highly respected, global education.
Response to the pandemic
Prior to the pandemic, Chinese students comprised the second largest group of non-Australian students at Curtin Perth, enjoying the university’s range of internationally recognized courses, its emphasis on practical learning and Perth’s safe, sunny environment.
When COVID-19 intensified, Curtin transitioned more than 150 courses to online delivery, allowing students in China and around the world to obtain an Australian degree despite travel restrictions.
The University has also launched several new scholarships, including the AUD$5,000 Starter Support Scholarship, to support students who can’t travel to Australia.
“These initiatives are integral to supporting our students during these uncertain times,” says Curtin Deputy Vice-Chancellor International Professor Seth Kunin.
Student exchange
Curtin is strengthening its existing student exchange programs and developing new opportunities to implement when international travel resumes.
Curtin already has partnerships with universities including Nanjing Audit University, South China Normal University and Yanshan University.
Under these arrangements, undergraduate Chinese students can begin studying at their home university and may be eligible for online English tuition from Curtin valued at AUD$6,295 before travelling to Curtin Perth when it is safe to do so.
Graduates receive an undergraduate degree from Curtin, or depending on the arrangement, from Curtin and their home university.
Professor Anping Yu, Vice-President of Nanjing Audit University, which has had a 16-year partnership with Curtin, says more than 900 students have graduated from their articulation program and have helped form a cultural bridge between the two nations.
“Our alumni are active in all kinds of fields in economic society and they have been the medium of cooperation, communication and cultural exchange between China and Australia,” he says.
Curtin has also developed course pathway options with Xiamen National Accounting Institute and Yanshan University to help Chinese students progress with their postgraduate studies in Australia.
Research opportunities
Curtin is involved in collaborations with Chinese universities that give PhD students and researchers opportunities to create lasting positive change.
This includes alliances with Fudan University to improve cross-cultural understanding about writing in Australia and China, and with Sun Yat-sen University to better support people on the autism spectrum.
Curtin has also joined forces with Nanjing University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Tongji University, Huazhong University of Science and Engineering, and Harbin Institute of Technology to solve industry problems in megaproject management practice.
“We are pleased to be working with such highly ranked universities to address challenges facing industries and communities in China and Australia,” Professor Kunin says.
