February 19-26, 2025, at the invitation of the Department of Education of Victoria, Australia, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Professor Zhang Minxuan and Associate Professor Zhu Xiaohu from the International Teacher Education Centre visited Australia and New Zealand.
On the morning of February 20, Director Zhang Minxuan and his delegation visited the Department of Education, Victoria State Government, Australia, and held talks with Stephen Fraser, Deputy Director of the School Education Programs and Support Division. Director Zhang first introduced to the other side the development mission and four core functions of the UNESCO Teacher Education Centre (TEC), and elaborated on the key international cooperation projects and mechanisms carried out by TEC. Deputy Director Fraser mainly presented Victoria’s curriculum system, as well as its teacher training and development system. The two sides then had in-depth exchanges on topics such as teacher training systems, salary and welfare systems, and teaching research systems. Deputy Director Fraser noted that Victoria could learn from and exchange with Shanghai in multiple aspects, and expressed expectation for further cooperation in the future. Director Zhang also warmly invited representatives from Victoria to participate in the Global Urban Education Network and Belt and Road initiatives hosted by TEC in the future.
On the morning of February 21, the delegation visited the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL), where they exchanged views with Edmund Mission, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, and Anna Commadeur, Head of International Cooperation. AITSL is a leading research institution in Australia, primarily dedicated to formulating professional qualification standards and developing tools for educators such as teachers and school principals. Director Zhang Minxuan introduced the basic information of TEC, stating that the two sides could conduct in-depth cooperation in formulating teacher-related standards in the future. On the afternoon of February 21, Director Zhang and his team met with Anthony Mackay, an internationally renowned education policy advisor, to discuss and consult on hosting the Global Urban Education Network Conference in Shanghai. The two sides had in-depth communication on the conference theme, participants, and schedule.
After completing the visit schedule in Australia, the two-member delegation traveled to Auckland, New Zealand, on February 23 to attend the 14th Governing Board Meeting of TALIS (Teaching and Learning International Survey). Co-hosted by OECD and the New Zealand Ministry of Education, the meeting was attended by representatives from 55 countries and regions participating in TALIS 2024. Key discussions focused on progress updates, data analysis, and report release plans for TALIS 2024. TALIS 2024 marks Shanghai’s third participation in this international teacher research initiative, with global survey results expected to be released in October this year.
