ICTE-UQ teacher Paul Forster teaching Hong Kong Baptist University education students.
ICTE-UQ teacher Paul Forster teaching Hong Kong Baptist University education students.
12 June 2014

The University of Queensland’s close ties with its Chinese and Hong Kong counterparts have been recognised with a prestigious national award.

UQ’s Institute of Continuing and TESOL Education (ICTE-UQ) Deputy Director Dallas Dowsett accepted the Hong Kong-Australia Business Association (HKABA) Business Development Award this week, after winning the Queensland category late last year.

ICTE-UQ Director Christine Bundesen said the award acknowledged the institute’s close partnerships with more than 15 universities and government agencies in Hong Kong and China.

“In Hong Kong, ICTE-UQ is heavily involved in education and training programs for future English language teachers,” Ms Bundesen said.

“Each year approximately 130 undergraduate and postgraduate education students from the University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Baptist University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong complete customised immersion programs at ICTE-UQ.

“The programs help students enhance their English language communication skills and teaching knowledge to be more confident educators from the start of their careers.”

ICTE-UQ also delivers annual English language programs for students from the Lingnan University and City University community colleges, and was selected as a global provider to work with the Hong Kong Government from 2000-2005 to raise the English language standards of the region’s teachers.

“About 390 teachers undertook training in Hong Kong and Brisbane as part of the five year project,” Ms Bundesen said.

Last year ICTE-UQ trained more than 1200 students and professionals from Hong Kong and China.