- Published:
- Saturday 25 August 2018
Over 60 students from nine schools across Victoria will travel to China in October and November for a six-week immersion experience, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
Parliamentary Secretary for Education Judith Graley today met the next cohort of students participating in the Victorian Young Leaders to China Program, which is designed to build their leadership skills and capacity to live and work in an increasingly inter-connected world.
The Victorian Young Leaders to China Program aims to increase the number of students studying Mandarin beyond Year 9 while developing intercultural understanding and leadership skills to help prepare students for work in a globalised world.
Students taking part in the program will experience traditional and contemporary Chinese culture by attending a local school, visiting historical attractions and taking part in everyday life.
Those who have participated in the program have returned with improved language skills, greater confidence and have developed a broader, international perspective on their future careers.
In addition to providing students with a valuable immersion experience, the program also strengthens cultural ties with Victoria’s biggest trading partner. By the end of 2018 more than 1400 Year 9 students will have taken part in the program.
The Labor Government has committed funding the Victorian Young Leaders to China until 2022, as well as piloting two new Young Leaders programs to India (2019-20) and to Indonesia (2019).
It is anticipated that a further 1420 students and 173 teachers, and their school communities, will benefit from participating in Victorian Young Leaders programs.
The Victorian Young Leaders programs help contribute to a range of Education State targets including critical and creative thinking and pride and confidence in our schools. The programs also strengthen students’ engagement in education and enhance Victoria’s relationships with some of its key partners in the Asia region.
Quotes attributable to Parliamentary Secretary for Education Judith Graley
“In Victoria, we have prioritised education because it sits at the heart of our state’s future social, economic and global success and an important part of any top-quality education is learning about the world around you.”
“The Victorian Young Leaders to China Program provides young people with an authentic opportunity to learn more about the world while building intercultural understanding and leadership skills to prepare them for a bright future.”