ANDREW Barr says the application process for a new student intern exchange program between Canberra and Shenzhen is now open and Canberra tertiary students with an interest in innovation and entrepreneurship are encouraged to apply.

“The Canberra-Shenzhen Innovation Intern Exchange Program is the first education outcome of the historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the ACT Government and Shenzhen last year,” Andrew said. “It is an outcome of trade delegations the ACT government have made to Asia in recent years.”

“It will give two students from Canberra the opportunity to travel to Shenzhen and two Shenzhen based students to come to Canberra in order to develop their leadership skills in their chosen field and as future ambassadors for the two cities.

“The program will also develop the interns’ understanding of cultures and give them the chance to learn the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) practices and innovation systems of the two cities in some of the most innovative companies and organisations in the world.

“The internship placements for Canberra students are expected to take place in Shenzhen in mid 2015 for four to eight weeks in duration. The ACT Government will provide funding support for the placements, including the cost of airfares and living expenses.”

The Canberra-Shenzhen Innovation Intern Exchange Program is open to full time students who are Australian citizens and currently enrolled in second year or higher or have graduated within one year from a Canberra-based tertiary institution

[Photo: “Shenzhencity” by Montage by JHH755, later versions improved by Lzy881114, source image authors stated above – All CC/PD sources:File:ShenZhen at night.jpg (Xublake)File:Shenzhen North Railway Station West Square View.JPG (Livewireshock). Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.]