Australia-EU project on student exchange

The Australian government has announced a new student exchange project to be developed to help increase student exchange between Australia and Europe.

Australian universities will be asked to submit proposals for a pilot project which will help promote student mobility and further encourage formal higher education cooperation between Australia and the EU.

"The Australian government has committed up to A$500,000 in funding for this third pilot project and the EU will match this amount over the project's three-year duration" the Australian Minister for Education, Science and Training, Brendan Nelson, said.

The project will involve a group of Australian and European universities working together to develop a joint Masters programme involving an element of student exchange.

A first project, Learning through Exchange - Agriculture, Food Systems and the Environment, is already providing opportunities for 36 Australian students to study in Europe and for 36 European students to venture to Australia.

The second project, Europe-Australia Asia Pacific Nexus, is being led by Melbourne University and will involve a coursework Masters exchange of students in international relations.

These projects represent a significant landmark in the educational relationship between Australia and the EU and the third pilot project will be built on this.

"The Australian government is committed to providing opportunities for Australian students to study internationally and these projects will serve as a model for long lasting Australian-European Union cooperation in higher education," Dr Nelson said.

The closing date for proposals from Australian universities is June 16 with a selection process to be conducted in July.