To accelerate the internationalization of Chengdu University of Technology (CDUT) and deepen China-Australia cooperation in higher education, Dean Li Shan of the College of International Education visited Brisbane and Melbourne from May 21 to 25, 2025, where she held a series of in-depth meetings with renowned universities and education institutions. The visit laid a solid foundation for future collaboration in talent cultivation, joint research, and inter-university exchange between CDUT and Australian institutions.
First Stop: Brisbane—Dual-track Engagement with Universities and Government
On May 22, Dean Li began her visit in Brisbane with a series of intensive discussions with leading Australian universities and government agencies. At the University of Queensland (UQ), she met with Kate Galati, Senior Manager of Business Development at UQ College, to explore potential collaboration on short-term study tours, exchange programs, and international summer schools. The two sides reached consensus on key areas such as program design, student selection criteria, and course offerings, and outlined a preliminary framework to move forward with a formal agreement. Later, Dean Li held focused discussions with Shangyang Guo, representative of the Faculty of Science at the University of Queensland, on joint bachelor’s-master’s degree programs and short-term field study initiatives in geology. Leveraging the academic strengths and resources of both institutions, they drafted an initial agreement to facilitate international training for students in geology, environmental science, and related disciplines. UQ’s representatives also extended an invitation for CDUT leadership to visit the university.
Visit to the University of Queensland
Later that afternoon, Dean Li held a working meeting with Stephanie Hunter, Global Engagement Manager at Study Queensland, a division of the Queensland Government Trade and Investment Office. She actively promoted Chengdu’s educational strengths and CDUT’s distinctive international programs, and extended a warm invitation for future cooperation. The Queensland representative noted that the Premier of Queensland is scheduled to visit Chengdu in July 2025, offering a significant opportunity to strengthen education ties at the governmental level.
Photo with Queensland Government representative
Melbourne University Visits: Opening New Channels for Inter-University Cooperation
On May 23, Dean Li traveled to Melbourne, one of Chengdu’s international sister cities, representing CDUT as the rotating chair of the Chengdu International Sister Cities Higher Education Institutions Alliance. She visited three prestigious universities, using the sister-city platform to expand channels for collaboration.
At RMIT University, she engaged in in-depth discussions with Kenneth Eu, Greater China Recruitment Manager, on student admissions criteria, internship opportunities, and partnership models. As the only Australian university with the “Royal” designation from the British monarchy, RMIT’s strengths in art and design and engineering are highly complementary to CDUT’s own strengths, offering great potential for bilateral cooperation.
Visit to Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University
During her visit to Deakin University, Dean Li provided a comprehensive overview of CDUT’s academic development and research achievements, with a special focus on programs in geological engineering and artificial intelligence. Professor Wanty Widjaja, Associate Dean of Deakin’s School of Education, expressed strong interest in establishing formal ties and reached initial agreement on collaboration in fields such as agriculture and AI, including joint research and talent development.
Visit to Deakin University
At La Trobe University, Dean Li conducted a two-part exchange. In the first session, she held in-depth discussions with Dr. Nicholas Barry, Associate Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences; Dr. Helen Yang, Associate Dean of the Business School; and Professor Naveen Chilamkurti, Associate Dean of the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences. The discussions focused on both short-term and long-term collaboration opportunities. In short-term initiatives, the parties explored cooperation models for La Trobe’s Innovation Bootcamp and Cisco Elite AI Internship Program. Long-term plans included: a 2+2 joint bachelor's program in Visual Arts; archaeological research collaborations; a semester-based undergraduate exchange program in business; a 3.5+0.5+1 bachelor-master pathway in Information Technology; 4+1 bachelor-master programs in Civil Engineering, Architecture, and Engineering Management. The two sides reached multiple agreements and committed to signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance approval procedures. In the second session, Dean Li joined a delegation from the Chengdu People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries to invite La Trobe to join the Chengdu International Sister Cities Higher Education Institutions Alliance. The university accepted the invitation and discussed preliminary plans for organizing summer camps, including course structures and formats—officially becoming a new overseas member of the alliance.
Group photo with La Trobe University representatives
On May 24, Dean Li held a meeting with Caroline Hartnett, representative of the Victoria State Government, to gain insight into the region’s strategic direction for China-Australia education cooperation. The discussion provided valuable policy context for deepening partnerships between CDUT and universities across Victoria.
