Story by Danny Ooi
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
REFLECTING on his experience as an international student in Australia, the friendship and the people-to-people links in addition to the educational experience were key benefits highlighted by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng on the importance of an overseas education.
“With the presence of a variety of top-class, internationally recognised colleges and universities, I believe Penang will provide a strategic location and conference venue for delegates from all over the region,” Lim said when he officiated the Asean Australia Education Dialogue at Equatorial Hotel in Bukit Jambul on March 22.
“Penang is also rated the eighth most livable city in Asia. The state has highly regarded industrial, tourism and medical infrastructure.
“It has also been called the Silicon Valley of Asia, due to the cutting-edge technology used in many manufacturing processes adopted by the multinational corporations in the state,” he added.
Also present were counsellor for Education and Science at Australian High Commission Bernadine Caruana, former Australian Ambassador to Thailand, James Wise and convener of the Asean-Australian Education Dialogue, Micheal Fay.
Lim said the state government through Study Penang aspires to establish Penang as a world-class education hub, increase awareness and recognition of the educational sector and leverage in the present and future needs of the private sector.
“We hope this event will be a fruitful one and foster discussions on challenges and opportunities that lead to a stronger partnership between Asean and Australia through education,” he added.