New research ties with China

Deakin University is among a group of Victoria's leading universities offering up to 70 new scholarships to Chinese students next year in a bid to strengthen educational ties with China.

Announcing the scholarships  during an address to the Victoria Applied Research Symposium in Beijing in September, Premier Ted Baillieu said Victoria had a world class research and education offering that was well matched to China's needs.

Deakin is offering 12 PhD Scholarships.

"Victoria's universities already have a strong history of partnerships in China, including academic and research collaborations, and staff and student exchanges," Mr Baillieu said.

"These scholarships will be open to Chinese students and will drive research and development for the benefit of both Victoria and China."

Mr Baillieu said last year Chinese students made up almost a third of Victoria's international student enrolments.

"Victoria has strengths in research areas of global significance including clean coal technology, medical research and biotechnology," Mr Baillieu said.

"We are home to nine world-class universities, with major medical research capabilities, and Melbourne has been named the world's most liveable city by the Economist Intelligence Unit for two years in a row.

"We also have 139 biotech companies, 13 major medical research institutes, seven teaching hospitals and the Australian Synchrotron," Mr Baillieu said.

Deakin University has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Beijing Institute of Technology particularly for credit recognition for student pathways and research collaborations.