Host Wenchi Yu speaks with Philipp Ivanov, Chief Global Resilience Officer at Melbourne-based RMIT University and a former Australian diplomat, about Australia’s relationship with China and the future of international higher education between the two countries.

As the U.S. government scrutinizes elite universities and their ties to China, Australian institutions face similar challenges. Chinese students remain Australia’s largest international-student cohort, and China is a major research partner. How can universities remain globally open while protecting research, data, intellectual property, staff, and students? How should they distinguish between acceptable risk and unacceptable exposure? And what does resilience look like for a university operating amid intensifying geopolitical competition?

00:00 Introduction to the episode and guest background

01:29 Guest's career overview and focus on education and international relations

03:18 Australia-China relationship: importance and recent developments

05:56 Shift in Chinese foreign policy and its impact on Australia

07:18 Strength of academic and research ties with China

09:36 Post-COVID trends in Chinese students in Australia

12:33 RMIT University and its international engagement

14:08 Risks and resilience strategies for international universities

16:05 Building resilience and managing risks in international partnerships

18:28 Policies and tools for risk management in higher education

22:31 Benefits of international engagement and maintaining open borders

24:28 Future outlook for Australia-China relations and university collaborations

29:56 Goals for a healthy and sustainable international relationship

Perspectives with Wenchi Yu

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