Andrew Barr is letting us know he’s off to China to sell education:
“The ACT education system has a world reputation for excellence. That’s why there are around 6,000 international students studying in Canberra, including more than 450 in ACT public schools,” Mr Barr said. “Overseas students contribute around $200 million a year to our economy. This is an extremely important industry for the ACT and supports the jobs of thousands of Canberrans.
“China is the largest education market for the schools sector with over 54 per cent of international students in ACT public schools being from China. The trade mission will further strengthen the relationship between Canberra and the People’s Republic of China. It will help ensure students from China continue to make Canberra their first choice for an excellent education.”
The trade mission will include Dr Jim Watterston of the ACT Department of Education and Training and Mr Adrian Marron of the Canberra Institute of Technology, plus officials from the Department of Education and Training and the Chief Minister’s Department.
“Over the week or so of the trade mission members of the delegation will make a number of presentations about the unique and high quality offerings of our institutions,” Mr Barr said. “This will culminate in a number of special VIP events at the Shanghai Expo.
Good luck to him.