The memorandum of the understanding on Sino-Australian educational cooperation program kicked off a new stage for China to improve its overseas study service, said an official with the Ministry of Education (MOE), in Beijing Monday.

At the signing ceremony of the memorandum with the International Education Development Project (IDP) of Australia, Cao Guoxing, director of the International Department of the MOE said China's education system, despite rapid progress in recent years, still cannot satisfy the tremendous needs of the Chinese people.

Therefore, the Chinese government is opening up new channels to seek credible partners abroad, and in the meantime support local educational organizations to carry out international cooperation.

Cao pointed out the China and Australia plan to carry out a series of cooperative programs, including giving preparatory lessons recognized by Australian universities, and setting up lessons that enable Chinese students to transfer to any Australian universities at any stage of their education.

Training for government officials and company management staff will also be a major part of the cooperative program, Cao said. According to MOE, IDP is a well-known international education organization consisting of all 83 Australian universities and colleges.

With more than 90 agencies worldwide, IDP enrolls more than 20,000 overseas students on behalf of the Australian universities.
 
(Xinhua News Agency April 20, 2004)