National Centre for Asia Capability

National Centre for Asia Capability

The Australian Government today announced funding for a National Centre for Asia Capability which will be run by Asialink (The University of Melbourne) in partnership with the University of New South Wales (UNSW Australia) and the private sector.

The Minister for Trade, the Hon Richard Marles MP, this morning announced that the Government would commit $35 million over 10 years to fund the National Centre.

Asialink has been working to source corporate and philanthropic contributions to complement the Government’s investment. Today we gratefully acknowledge the very generous support of The Myer Foundation – which has supported Asialink from the very beginning – in committing almost $1 million to the Centre.

Asialink has been working for more than two decades to build Asia capability. It set up the taskforce that recommended the National Centre for Asia Capability, and we will oversee the establishment of the Centre.

Today’s announcement follows much hard work and dedication by Asialink’s Board members, corporate supporters and staff. Over the past two years we have worked in partnership with key industry and community leaders to build a business case and generate support for the National Centre.

As The University of Melbourne’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Glyn Davis, AC, said this morning in Canberra, “The National Centre for Asia Capability is a visionary investment by the Australian Government, a global first that will draw Australia fully into the Asian Century”.

The new Centre will be a collaborative effort, combining the expertise of government, business and university sectors to build an Asia capable Australian workforce through innovative programs, cutting-edge research and the development of unparalleled regional networks.

Asialink’s Board and management are very grateful for all the support we have received over the past 23 years and we look forward to building on the successes of the past as we enter this exciting new chapter of Asialink’s development.

More information about today’s announcement is available on Asialink’s website: http://asialink.unimelb.edu.au/media/media_releases/National_Centre_for_Asia_Capability

Warm wishes and thanks to you all,

Jenny McGregor

CEO, Asialink