From November 26 to December 2, a delegation led by President Zheng Jiajian of Fujian Normal University (FNU) visited leading universities and educational institutions across New Zealand and Australia. The visit aimed to strengthen existing partnerships, explore new opportunities for collaboration, and enhance FNU’s international engagement in the South Pacific region. Joining President Zheng were representatives from the Personnel Department, Network and Information Center, College of Online Education and Continuing Education, College of Vocational and Technical Education, and the International Exchange and Cooperation Office.
New Zealand: Advancing Joint Programs and Research Collaboration
At Massey University’s Auckland campus, the delegation met with senior leaders to discuss collaborative education programs. Both sides reached consensus on advancing “2+2” undergraduate and “1+1+1” master’s programs in communication studies, covering curriculum articulation, quality assurance, and management mechanisms. They also explored opportunities for student internships, faculty exchange, and research cooperation in smart media and digital marketing.
At the University of Auckland (Waipapa Taumata Rau), President Zheng presented FNU’s latest research and industry-academia achievements in energy, environment, carbon neutrality, and optoelectronics. Recognizing complementary academic strengths, the two sides explored a cooperation framework in joint curriculum development, faculty and student exchange, and professional development. The delegation also visited the university’s Hiwa Sports Centre, one of the largest and most advanced sports facilities in Oceania, and discussed prospects for collaboration in interdisciplinary platforms and industry-academia-research integration.
Australia: Enhancing Vocational Integration, Academic Collaboration, and Teacher Training
During meetings at Victoria University, the delegation shared FNU’s innovative model for integrating vocational and higher education, focusing on a “two-way articulation” mechanism that enables students to transition smoothly between academic tracks while gaining practical training. Both sides exchanged views on curriculum design, teacher training, and leveraging the Confucius Institute platform to promote “Chinese + vocational skills” programs.
At Deakin University, President Zheng introduced FNU’s strengths in education, sports science, and information science. Discussions centered on potential collaboration in engineering, chemistry, and mathematics, as well as the possibility of establishing a joint education institute in phases. Both institutions agreed to maintain communication and steadily advance cooperation in talent development, joint curriculum, and academic exchange.
At the University of Sydney, the delegation met with leaders from the School of Education to discuss teacher professional development, teaching capacity enhancement, and pathways for interdisciplinary research and teaching integration. Both sides expressed interest in deepening collaboration in student development and academic exchange.
K–12 Chinese Language Education and Professional Training
The delegation visited several educational institutions in Australia to explore the integration of Chinese language education into local K–12 systems. At the Chinese Language Teachers’ Association of Victoria, the team observed classroom teaching, reviewed localized curricula, and discussed challenges related to multicultural classrooms and the development of “Chinese Plus” programs. These exchanges provided valuable insights for future curriculum design and teacher support.
The delegation also visited the Australian Chinese Language Schools Association, where they observed teaching in multicultural settings and engaged with educators to understand local needs in curriculum adaptation and pedagogical diversity. At the New South Wales Teachers’ Federation, the two sides explored joint teacher-training initiatives and exchanged best practices in teacher professional development, aiming to foster mutual learning between Chinese and Australian educators.
Strengthening Alumni Ties
Throughout the trip, the delegation also met with FNU alumni in Australia, conveying greetings from the university and gathering feedback to strengthen connections with its overseas alumni community.
Translated by Liao Xuehe / Reviewed by Lin Bin