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Wednesday, 10 November 2010

Business students will have the opportunity to participate in a combined student exchange and work experience program with an Asia-Pacific focus.

The program is the result of a corporate partnership agreement between The University of Western Australia's Business School and the ANZ Banking Group, which is rapidly expanding in the Asia-Pacific region.

The partnership was formalised by UWA's Vice Chancellor Professor Alan Robson AM and Professor Tracey Horton, Dean of the UWA Business School; and Mr Shayne Elliott, ANZ CEO Institutional, and Mr John Atkins, ANZ State Chairman WA.

ANZ is now a supporting corporate partner of the school.  A key component of the partnership is the creation of the ANZ UWA Business School Asia Fellowships, an investment by ANZ in business education and the talent pipeline underpinning its super regional banking strategy in Asia Pacific.

Four fellowships, worth AUD$10,000 each, will be awarded each year.  Two will be outbound from the UWA Business School, and two inbound into the school.  The fellowships will allow the recipients to spend six months on exchange at the UWA Business School or a partner university in the Asia-Pacific region, followed by an 8 to 12 week paid internship at an ANZ office in the exchange location.

Professor Horton said the fellowships would expand the school's ability to provide a vibrant student experience. ‘Collaborating with ANZ on these fellowships will allow us to strengthen our links with quality business schools, and the finance sector, in our region,' she said.  ‘Already, 27% of our student body originates from the Asia-Pacific region, so the fellowships will create an exciting educational, cultural and work experience for students who want to purse a career in banking and can demonstrate leadership attributes.'

The agreement would provide benefits for both parties.  Mr Atkins said: ‘Perth is located in the same time zone as Jakarta, Singapore, Hong Kong, Beijing, Tokyo and Mumbai.  The UWA Business School attracts excellent students willing to travel, live and work in the region.  We view this partnership as an investment in future business leaders who will continue to drive our economic engagement with Asia.'

The agreement was signed on Wednesday 10 November and the first ANZ UWA Business School Asia Fellowship recipients will leave for the University of Hong Kong School of Business in early 2012.

Media references

Heather Merritt (Director, External Relations, UWA Business School)  (+61 8)  6488 8171
Verity Chia (Communications Officer, UWA Business School)  (+61 8)  6488 1346
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716

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