First Chinese overseas college campus launched

The launch of the Global Business College of Australia was celebrated in Beijing on Wednesday. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

The first Chinese college campus outside the country has been launched in Melbourne, Australia. The event was marked in Beijing on Wednesday.

Global Business College of Australia was approved by the Australian government in November to recruit Australian, Chinese and other international students and offer English-speaking teaching programs.

China is the top source of international students in Australia.

The number of mainland Chinese studying in colleges and universities in Australia exceeded 155,000 by September, according to a report from Australian Education International subordinated to the Australian government.

The Australian government is moving towards an increase in the number of international students to one million in the next 10 years planned in the Australian International Education 2025 strategy, said David Dukes, the Beijing-based Australian education commissioner for North Asia at the college launch ceremony.

Australia becomes the first destination for China to internalize its education system.

Rather than cooperate with local educational institutions, the college has its own campus having bought two buildings in Melbourne city.

Global Business College of Australia, operated by Huashang Education Group, a family-controlled Chinese conglomerate, offers tertiary education on vocational business training, language training and local internship programs. It also offers scholarships for outstanding students.

Huashang currently provides services for 35,000 students in China, including an independent business college at Guangdong University of Finance and Economics.