An Australian first: UTS launches online programs for Chinese professionals

Hello, I'm Professor Kylie Readman, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Vice President Education and Students here at the University of Technology Sydney.

Throughout my career I've been passionate about creating learning environments that are innovative, inclusive and responsive to the needs of students.

At UTS I lead our education and student strategy helping shape the future of learning and supporting the success of our students globally. UTS is home to a large and vibrant community of more than 50,000 students from over 140 nationalities. The largest group – almost 40% of our international students – are from China. This is a testament to our long-standing relationships and multifaceted partnerships with several institutions in China.

All of our international students enrich our university with their diverse perspectives and cultural experiences, contributing to an inclusive and dynamic campus and virtual student community.

We are a top 100 ranked university by QS World University rankings. Globally we are ranked number one in water resources by US News global rankings, and number one for partnering for a sustainable future by Times Higher Education impact rankings. In Australia we're ranked first in artificial intelligence, electrical and electronic engineering, civil engineering, computer science, and energy and fuels by US News global subject rankings.

The Australian government rates 100% of UTS's research as world standard or above with over 80% ranked as high impact. QS also rated UTS 62nd in the world for graduate employability. As Australia's top ranked young university, UTS is performing at the highest standards of excellence. We focus on real-world learning, industry engagement and practice-oriented education, leading to 90.8% of our graduates in full-time employment measured three years post-graduation. This reflects strong career readiness and employer demand.

Our city campus in Sydney is a living lab of collaboration and innovation, and our curriculum is constantly evolving to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world. For our digital offerings we've translated our practice-oriented learning design into highly engaging online tools that embrace the four themes of our student experience framework: academic engagement, belonging, well-being, and partnerships. All key elements of a student-centred learning experience.

We believe in a lifetime of learning. This philosophy means that education doesn't stop after graduation – it continues throughout life. Online education plays a vital role in this journey, offering flexible and accessible pathways for students at all stages of their careers. Our academics are transforming the way they teach by integrating digital tools, interactive content and collaborative learning approaches.

Since 2019 UTS has been offering online degrees through UTS Online. These programs are designed for working professionals who want to advance their careers while managing their personal and professional responsibilities. We are very proud to launch UTS Online programs in Modern Standard Chinese. We understand that not everyone has the desire or is in the position to relocate to Sydney for their postgraduate study, or wants to study in English. At UTS we are deeply committed to social justice and we don't want the mobility or the language barrier to stand in the way of pursuing further study and achieving or accelerating your career dream.

We are excited that UTS Online courses are now accessible in Chinese as we expand the reach of our quality education to even more learners across the globe. To ensure the success of this new offering we've partnered with CinLearn Education to support all our China-based online students locally. We are convinced that their local student support expertise paired with our academic excellence will provide an outstanding learning environment and student-centred experience, both of which we are deeply committed to. Together we will foster academic engagement, well-being and a strong sense of belonging.

Our online degrees offered through this partnership have the same rigorous academic standards and offer an equivalent student experience to our programs taught on campus. They hold the same accreditation and maintain the same learning outcomes. This is not just a standard we're committed to as an institution, it's also a regulatory requirement under Australia's higher education standards framework. Therefore online students graduate with the same degree test as our on-campus students. It's a testament to the high standards and consistency of our programs.

With our online programs now launching in China, we're delighted to broaden access to our education for everyone who values a postgraduate degree in Modern Standard Chinese. The quality of our online programs is ensured through rigorous curriculum design, regular review and strong academic support. Our courses are led by the same expert faculty who teach on campus. They bring both academic excellence and deep industry expertise to the learning experience.

Industry collaboration is a hallmark of UTS. We prepare students for real-world success through case studies and industry or research projects. This ensures all learnings are directly applicable to the workplace and our graduates are job-ready and equipped to solve real-world problems. As technology evolves, particularly in fields like artificial intelligence, UTS stays ahead by integrating the latest developments into our curriculum. Our Australian Artificial Intelligence Institute is the largest in the country and its research, alongside that of many other research institutes across multiple disciplines, directly informs our teaching and curriculum design.

For working professionals considering online study, I recommend our postgraduate degrees for their industry-informed curriculum design, our flexible and high quality learning design, and our unwavering commitment to student success.

Looking ahead 20 years, my vision is that our Chinese language online programs will produce thousands of graduates who are leaders in their field, have improved their personal and professional lives, and are contributing to make the world a better place. I hope they will be active members in their communities, as well as deeply connected to the UTS alumni network. That would be the true measure of success.

Our alumni network spans over 280,000 graduates worldwide with more than 17,000 based in China alone. Online students are full members of this community with access to career support, events and global connections. To Chinese professionals beginning their UTS journey, I offer three pieces of advice. First, embrace lifelong learning. Stay curious and open to new ideas. Second, engage actively with your studies and with peers. Third, manage your time wisely to balance study with your professional and personal commitments.

At UTS we believe education should be accessible, flexible and transformative. Thank you for joining us on this journey of learning and discovery. I wish you all the very best in your degree studies with us.