Australia is one of the founding members of UMAP, a voluntary association of government and non-government representatives of the higher education sector in the Asia Pacific region, established in 1993. The association aims to achieve enhanced international understanding through increased cooperation between universities in the Asia-Pacific region, especially through increased mobility of university students and staff. Further information on UMAP is available at http://www.umap.org/.
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations has been funding Australia’s membership in UMAP since its inception. For the 2007-08 financial year, the Department has provided $1.618 million to 32 Australian higher education providers, to use for UMAP exchange opportunities for Australian students.
From January 2008, the Australian UMAP National Secretariat will be managed by the Department’s international arm, Australian Education International, under the name of UMAP Australia. Its tasks will be to:
- represent Australia at biannual UMAP Board meetings and associated Sub-Committee meetings and the biennial UMAP International Education Conference
- be the first point of contact for enquiries from the UMAP International Secretariat and other UMAP member countries’ National Secretariats on issues associated with Australia’s participation in UMAP-related activities
- be the Australian contact for UMAP enquiries from the Australian higher education sector.
This role was previously managed by Universities Australia (formerly AVCC) under contract to the Department.
For further information on Australia’s participation in UMAP, please contact:
Ms Tracy Harris
Director
Scholarships, Exchanges and Alumni Section
Australian Education International|
Location: 442
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
GPO Box 9880
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Phone: +61 2 6240 7551
Email: umapaustralia@dest.gov.au