Media Releases 2004

20 October 2004

German Rectors (HRK) and AVCC participate in joint higher education forum

The Australian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee Chief Executive Officer, Mr John Mullarvey welcomed seven German Rectors (Vice-Chancellors) to Canberra as part of a visit to Australia by a delegation of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK). The HRK delegates will participate in a joint higher education forum with the AVCC in Canberra today.

“This visit follows an inaugural HRK visit to Australia in 2000. Subsequently, an AVCC-HRK Seminar on 'The Implications of Globalisation on Higher Education' was held in Germany in September 2003, “ Mr Mullarvey said.

The AVCC has organised a program for the delegation that encompasses visits to a number of universities requested by the HRK including, Monash University, University of New South Wales, University of Melbourne and the Australian National University, and talks with higher education organisations such as the Australian Universities Quality Agency and the Australian Qualifications Framework Secretariat. Meetings with the Department of Education Science and Training, IDP Education Australia and research institutions Australian Research Council and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation will also take place.

HRK President, Professor Peter Gaehtgens said that interaction between the two university sectors enabled an exchange of ideas that would benefit both Australia and Germany. Both the AVCC and the HRK agreed that investing in education and training is the single most important investment into the future economic growth of both countries.

The HRK will be joined at the forum by seven of Australia’s Vice-Chancellors.

“Discussions will centre on our respective universities, including their priorities, how they will develop for the future with regard to teaching and research, and issues surrounding student mobility,” Mr Mullarvey said.

“Meetings with other key stakeholders across the higher education, business and research sectors should provide the Rectors with substantial opportunity for discussion about research, funding and cooperation opportunities between Australia and Germany.

“The AVCC is fortunate to have the opportunity to host the HRK during their visit to Australia, and we look forward to the strengthening of our relationships and the reciprocal gains that we are confident will arise during the forum,” Mr Mullarvey said.

Media Inquiries Tracey Jiggins – phone: (02) 6285 8206 or 0400 166691