Adam Smith College has agreed a partnership with Box Hill Institute in Melbourne, Australia, as part of moves to strengthen the college’s international network and build a strong base for increased collaboration between Scotland and Australia.

This new agreement will now allow the colleges to work together in being able to bid in partnership for international contracts, co-operate on business development ventures, offer joint courses for international students and set up a staff exchange programme.

Dr Craig Thomson, Principal of Adam Smith College, said: “Box Hill Institute is recognised around the globe for its innovation and forward thinking. They already have strategic partnerships with education institutions in Asia, Europe and South America - and I’m proud to say they do in Scotland now too.

“This partnership will be of benefit in so many ways; in terms of business development for the College, we can now punch above our weight when pitching for international contracts as we can offer a service that includes the strongest parts of two high quality systems. International students will be able to choose courses that involve study in both Australia and Scotland and, perhaps most exciting of all for staff, we will be making vacancies at each College visible to the other and supporting exchange of staff between our two institutions.”

The partnership between Adam Smith and Box Hill comes off the back of a “sister state” agreement between the state of Victoria in Australia and Scotland, which was signed last year. This agreement recognises the similarities between Victoria and Scotland, and that there are a wide range of opportunities for the two to work together for their mutual benefit.

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