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2009

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Sydney leadership guidance for university presidents from China
Tuesday 17 November 2009

Deputy Vice-Chancellors and senior executives from leading top-tier universities in China are currently in Sydney attending the prestigious China University Presidents Program.

The five day executive leadership program run by RIAP aims to improve higher education leadership and management practices in Chinese universities and encourage knowledge exchange between executive and senior managers of Chinese education institutions and their overseas counterparts.

RIAP has hosted the program in Australia annually since 2005. In recognition of the quality and importance of the program, Dr Michael Spence, Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Sydney, and Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, Chancellor of the University of Sydney, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China's National Academy of Education Administration (NAEA) in 2008.

Head of Delegation, Mr Yu Zhigang, presents RIAP Director Assoc Prof Robyn McConchie with a gift

The program is part of a broader multi-country initiative by China’s Ministry of Education and NAEA in which senior university executives from China travel to the UK, US, Australia and other countries each year to participate in executive development programs on university leadership and management at some of the world’s leading universities, including Cambridge, Oxford, Edinburgh, Yale, Michigan University, and the University of Sydney.

Mr Philipp Ivanov, RIAP’s Research and Training Development Manager, says that the program will improve the participants’ understanding of the issues and challenges facing universities in both China and Australia.

“Both countries are going through large-scale higher education reforms and striving to develop high-performing globally competitive university systems. At the same time both governments are putting a lot of pressure on universities to increase access and participation rates without sacrificing the quality of teaching, research and student services. Despite very different regulatory environments, the objectives of the reforms are very similar, and both countries can learn a lot from one another other.”

Blood Safety Management for Chinese directors
Monday 16 November 2009

With the quality of blood supply and health facility safety standards critical in national healthcare systems, Australia’s blood safety management is the focus of a training course for a group of directors from China.

The twenty-two delegates who are directors of blood centres across China, have travelled to Australia to attend the course which will look at how Australian systems operate and advanced methods that are in use.

In China there are significant challenges in the achievement of a sustainable national blood supply management system, and the program participants are in roles that are central to the establishment and improvement of a standardised system within China.

Blood Safety Management training group

The program is designed to provide participants with a perspective of the structure and approach that Australia uses, and is presented by some of Australia’s leading experts and bodies within the blood sector and research area.

Presenters are from a range of organisations including the National Blood Authority of Australia (NBA), the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, the Clinical Excellence Commission and the Queensland Department of Health. Two presenters from the University of Sydney – Dr Robert Flower, Adjunct Associate Professor with Teaching and Research in Transfusion Science and NBA Fellow, and Professor Douglas Joshua, Clinical Professor of Haemotology – are also presenting to the group.

The program will provide the participants with new skills and ideas to help improve the management, laboratory research, service and related operations of blood safety in China.

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Moving Forward in Nuclear Technology
Monday 2 November 2009

Fifteen nuclear medicine professionals from across the world have arrived at the University of Sydney today to commence an intensive course in ‘Positron Emission Tomography-Computerised Tomography’ (PET-CT) technology.

As the technical development of cancer detecting procedures advances rapidly, precision and accuracy are imperative elements in the discovery and treatment of cancer.

PET-CT is the fastest growing medical diagnostic imaging technique in the world and its use globally has grown 200% in the last three years. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computerised Tomography (CT) are independent standard imaging tools that allow physicians to pinpoint the location of tumours within the body before making treatment recommendations. Whilst both PET and CT have benefits and limitations, the combination of the two tools as the integrated molecular imaging device PET-CT provides physicians with thorough and precise information on cancer location and metabolism, as well as the ability to diagnose neurological disorders and other inflammatory diseases.

2009 Foundations of PET-CT participants

The ongoing advancement of this technology means that physicians require continuing education to update their knowledge and skills in nuclear medicine. However, developing countries have few resources to provide adequate training in the effective use of PET-CT. The Research Institute for Asia and the Pacific at the University of Sydney provides the ‘Foundations in PET-CT’ program, endorsed by the Australia New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine (ANZSNM), and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technical Organisation (ANSTO) and coordinated in collaboration with the Nuclear Medicine and PET-CT Centre at Westmead Hospital. This year’s program has attracted physicians, physicists and technologists from Thailand, India, Philippines, Bangladesh, Singapore, South Africa, Vietnam and Malaysia, and is designed to integrate the most current knowledge and skills related to safety and technical and clinical practice. The extensive curriculum provides essential strategies for participants to develop quality assurance policies with best practice standards in a safe environment, leading to an efficient diagnostic service.

Seven of the participants received scholarships to attend the course through the Australian Government’s internationally competitive, merit-based Endeavour Awards program which provides opportunities for citizens from around the world to undertake study, research and professional development in Australia. Others were sponsored to attend by industry organisations such as Siemens Medical Solutions, GE Healthcare, the International Atomic Energy Agency, Global Medical Solutions as well as the Malaysian Government, University Putra in Malaysia, and Cho Ray Hospital in Vietnam.

The course will run for two weeks and include workshops at Westmead Hospital’s PET-CT department, and site visits to ANSTO, the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the Brain and Mind Research Institute at the University of Sydney.

If you would like to know more information about Nuclear Medicine, PET-CT or other professional development courses run by RIAP, click here.

For further information about this story, please contact , Media and Communications Manager, on 02 9351 7099 or 0434 154 871.

Students from universities across Australia announced as successful Korea interns
Monday 21 September 2009

Eight university students from across Australia have recently been selected in the 2010 intake for the Australia-Korea Internship Program (AKIP). The interns will travel to Korea from 7 January – 27 February 2010 to undertake internship placements in local and multinational Korean companies based in Seoul. The students are aged between 20-24 years old:

  • Angela Leggett, Queensland University of Technology
  • Basil Doucas, University of Western Australia
  • Branka Mijovic, Griffith University
  • Cameron Robertson, University of Sydney
  • Michael O'Meara, Bond University
  • Rachel Liang, University of Melbourne
  • Somya Venkat, University of Melbourne
  • Tarek Dale, University of Melbourne

The AKIP program is supported by RIAP's long established partner, the Australia-Korea Foundation, and managed by RIAP in collaboration with project counterparts the Korea Australia Foundation in Seoul.

Development, growth and modernisation for China: Xiao Kang
Wednesday 9 September 2009

A leadership program to assist China in achieving its vision of Xiao Kang, 'a well-off society' where citizens are assured a higher standard of living and a better quality of life, was recently hosted by RIAP.

A delegation of 26 senior Chinese officials travelled to Australia for the Advanced Leadership Program on Agriculture and Rural Development which was presented in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney. Central to the training was enhancing the leaders' understanding of theories underpinning sustainable rural development, and strengthening their capacity to implement strategies in their areas of responsibility.

Professor Stephen Garton, Associate Professor Robyn McConchie and Mr Yang Shaopin


The delegation of government leaders was headed by Mr Yang Shaopin, Director of the Department of Development and Planning in the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture.

A welcoming address was given by the University of Sydney's Provost and Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Stephen Garton, as well as the Director of RIAP, Associate Professor Robyn McConchie, on their arrival at the University.

RIAP has delivered the program annually since 2006. The program was initiated by the Department of Organisation of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CCCPC), the China International Centre for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE) under the Ministry of Commerce, and the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture. Core themes of training sessions include Development and Modernisation of Australian Agriculture, Australian Rural-Urban Integration, Productivity Growth in Australian Agriculture, and Development of Human Resources and Labor Markets in Australia's Rural Areas. Past delegations have also included very high profile participants including Mr Liao Xiaojun, China's Vice Minister of Finance, Mr Zhang Taolin, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Mr Xue Liang, China's Chief Economist at Vice Minister level.

This year's program involved presentations by members of the University of Sydney's Faculty of Economics and Business, Melbourne Business School at the University of Melbourne, Department of Primary Industries, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fishery, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics, Premier's Department of NSW, Plant Breeding Institute, NSW Farmers Association, Building Research Institute, and Gavana Holsteins Dairy Farm.

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Getting the word out about Green Growth

Robyn McConchie on Business Today

Monday 20 July 2009

Director of RIAP, Associate Professor Robyn McConchie, has appeared on Business Today speaking about green growth collaboration opportunities between Australia and Korea, following her recent visit to Seoul with the team from the Australia-Korea Next Generation Leadership Program (NGLP).

During the interview, which went live-to-air across Australia and the Asia Pacific region on ABC2 on Wednesday 15 July, Associate Professor McConchie discussed the opportunity that the global financial crisis has created for countries to invest in green growth and renewable energy, and the subsequent potential for the creation of green jobs. Korea has recently announced that they will spend around two per cent of their gross domestic product on green growth and sustainability, committing $84 billion to green growth technologies.

Simon Divecha, one of the members of the 2009 NGLP delegation, spoke to the Connect Asia program on Radio Australia on Tuesday 9 July, discussing how impressed he was with Korea’s incentive to respond to the global financial crisis in such a way, and how around a million jobs will be created in Korea from this green growth spending.

To view to Associate Professor Robyn McConchie’s interview on ABC 2, entitled ‘The green shoots of recovery’, click here and look under the date 15/7/09.

To listen to Simon Divecha’s interview on Radio Australia’s Connect Asia program, entitled ‘South Korea investing in green technology’, click here.

If you would like to arrange an interview with Associate Professor Robyn McConchie, or any of the members of the 2009 NGLP delegation, please contact , Media and Communications Manager at RIAP, on 02 9351 7099 or 0434 154 871.

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Australia Korea Green Growth Partnership Blooms

Wednesday 8 July 2009

Members of the 2009 Australia-Korea Next Generation Leaders Program (NGLP) arrived back in Sydney yesterday, inspired by their ten day visit to Korea and the potential for ongoing green growth collaborations.

Whilst in Korea, the delegates, who are all specialists in green technology and sustainability from across Australia, were asked for their opinion on Korea’s Low Carbon Green Growth Strategy as feedback for the President of Korea, Mr Lee Myung-bak. The feedback from the delegation was passed on to President Myung-bak by Dr Soogil Young, President of the National Strategy Institute in Korea during a meeting on Monday.

Korea has half the greenhouse gas emissions per capita than Australia, and extensive programs in place to lower energy use and convert to renewable energies. RIAP’s Director, Associate Professor Robyn McConchie, who travelled to Korea with the delegation, says that overseas linkages such as this visit create the ability for Australia to build joint collaboration on green initiatives and develop relationships that can be mutually advantageous.

“Climate change is a global issue, and the collaboration of our nations to achieve these goals is very important. There is huge potential for a valuable partnership here – with Korea’s capacity and drive to develop new technologies, coupled with Australia’s expertise in research and development in the renewable energy sector.”

Click here for a press release on the NGLP visit to Korea. To arrange interviews with the delegates, or for more media information, please contact Kristi Maroc, Media and Communications Manager at RIAP, on 02 9351 7009 or 0434 154 870.

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Australia's Next Generation of Sustainability and Green Technology Leaders visit Korea

2009 Next Generation Leaders Program

Thursday 2 July, 2009

Korea has half the greenhouse emissions per capita than Australia, and extensive programs in place to lower energy use and convert to renewable energies.

Ten Australians who are future leaders in green technology and sustainability are currently in Korea as part of the Australia-Korea Next Generation Leaders Program run by RIAP. The delegates are networking with sustainability and green technology leaders and learning about Korea's Low Carbon Green Growth strategy. Director of the Research Institute for Asia and the Pacific, Associate Professor Robyn McConchie, is escorting the delegation.

The delegates are all in the early to mid-stages of their careers and have a demonstrated interest and involvement in green technology research and development, sustainability and climate change. Whilst in Korea they are engaging in leadership briefings and meetings with Korean counterparts and institutions, discovering current and emerging sustainability and green technology issues, and enhancing their knowledge of Korean culture, language and business practices.

The Australia-Korea Next Generation Leaders Program is supported by the Australia-Korea Foundation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and managed by partner organisation the Research Institute for Asia and the Pacific at the University of Sydney. It aims to develop the leadership skills of potential and current leaders from Australia and Korea in specifically identified subject areas or themes, and to advance and promote cooperation, leadership and knowledge exchange between Korean and Australian leaders and professionals in the areas of renewable energy, sustainability and climate change.

For more information on the program, or to arrange interviews with members of the delegation, please contact , Media and Communications Manager, RIAP, on 0434 154 870.

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Applications Open for Internships for Korea

Monday 29 June 2009

Applications are now open for university students from across Australia to participate in a two month internship to Korea. Applications are open to students from all states and territories, and all Australian universities, who are studying in a postgraduate coursework degree, or in their third or fourth years of an undergraduate degree in relevant fields. These fields are:

AKIP Interns in Korea
  • Economics
  • Business
  • Commerce
  • Marketing
  • Finance
  • Information and Communications Technology
  • Accounting
  • International Trade

The Australia Korea Internship Program (AKIP) offers an exceptional opportunity for outstanding postgraduate and senior undergraduate students to experience a cultural exchange whilst pursuing a business-related career placement in the Asia Pacific region. Through a seven week internship, the AKIP provides students with the chance to develop their professional and cross-cultural skills through on-the-job experience within national and multinational companies in the Republic of Korea.

For more details about AKIP visit the Australia Korea Internship Program website, or contact .

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New Urban Science Program

January 2009

In January 2009, RIAP hosted a group of 20 students from the University of Seoul for a four week Urban Sciences program. This new RIAP program provided students with a unique Australian perspective on some of the key issues in Urban Planning. Topics include Urban Planning Procedures, Environmental Impact Assessments, Sustainability and Heritage, Urban Design and Development Control, and Transport Policy and Planning. Visits to some of Sydney’s most significant architectural and urban design sites were also included.

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Major European Commission Grant Success

RIAP and the Faculty of Arts have secured the largest European Commission grant ever for the University of Sydney, and one of the largest grants for the Faculty of Arts.

The 40-month grant, valued at Euro 1.498 million (approximately AU$2.5 million), is to develop a networked Asia-Pacific Master’s program in Human Rights and Democratisation.

The grant opportunity was identified by RIAP staff, who then contacted the Faculty of Arts, and together they worked to develop the bid. The grant, written jointly by Emma Walters from RIAP and Danielle Celermajer from the Human Rights Master’s program in the Faculty of Arts, involves four partner universities in Asia: the Kathmandu School of Law, the University of Colombo, Gadjah Mada University in Indonesia and Mahidol University in Thailand.

The project started officially on January 1, 2009.

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