Leading Australian IT students to visit Huawei in China for learning experience

MELBOURNE — Fifteen students from a top Australian information technology (IT) university will travel to China to learn at Huawei Technologies for three weeks, it was announced on Tuesday.

The students from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University will visit Huawei's research and development facilities and manufacturing plants while working with technology experts.

They will also experience university in China at the Beijing Language and Cultural University.

The program is part of a three-year agreement announced by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews which will see students make the journey to Huawei every year.

A further 15 RMIT students will participate in workshops at Huawei's National Innovation and Training Centre in Sydney.

"This is a great opportunity for some of Victoria's brightest IT students to learn from one of the world's leading telecommunications companies, and bring Victoria closer to one of our major trading partners," Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas said in a media release.

"Our relationship with China is one of our most important, and one that extends beyond just economic benefit -- today's great announcement by Huawei shows that it's also about learning and improving the opportunities for our kids."

The announcement of the partnership was made as Victorian government members embarked on an official visit to Huawei's global headquarters in Shenzhen where they will meet with senior executives and smart city experts.

The collaboration was developed by the Australian Technology Network of Universities (ATNU), a body aimed at preparing Australian students for careers in the information and communication technology (ICT) industry and exposing students to "vast and emerging" opportunities in China and wider Asia.