SuniTAFE’s Yes to International Students Fund project continued throughout November with another two micro-credentials being delivered to students in China.

Teacher – Primary Industries Tanya Smith delivered the two-day micro-credential in Soil Basics – Groundwork for Sustainable Agricultural Production to students at Liyang Polytechnic Vocational School and Jiang Huazi Vocational College.

The micro-credential provided learners with the knowledge they need to determine the make-up of healthy soils for different agricultural crops by teaching them the various components and chemical properties of soil.

Teaching in China has been a career highlight for Tanya, enjoying the rare opportunity to teach to a new cohort.

“The whole trip, including teaching in a Chinese classroom and interacting with the students, has been a very rewarding experience for me,” Tanya said.

“The students were lovely, and they were keen to learn, join in, and interact.

“It was great to be a part of the program to introduce Australia and SuniTAFE to the students in the hope that we have now made SuniTAFE an option for them to consider.”

During the following week, Education Delivery Manager – Primary Industries David Cleary taught the two-day micro-credential Cyber Security and the Internet of Things to students at Shanghai Food Science and Technology College and Nanxi Vocational and Technology College.

The micro-credential explores the role and benefits of using the Internet of Things (IoT) in a range of contexts, including education, business, travel, and agriculture.

The course also discussed the potential cyber security threats associated with the use of IoT.

In addition to some sight-seeing in China, being a part of SuniTAFE’s micro-credential project has been a rewarding experience.

“Teaching in China was an exciting opportunity,” David said.

“For me, the highlight of the trip was interacting with two large classes of Chinese students and providing them with something of an experience of what learning is like in Australia and at SuniTAFE.

“All the students were very keen to answer questions, demonstrate their knowledge and opinions, and to participate in interactive activities.

“I also appreciated the opportunity to learn a little about the Chinese vocational education system through tours of the two colleges, observing a number of classes in operation, and discussions with college teachers and administrators.”

The Yes to International Students Fund is a Victorian Government initiative designed to increase the capacity of TAFEs to develop innovative international partnerships.

In October this year, SuniTAFE cookery teachers delivered the first SuniTAFE micro-credential in China.
You can read more about the course here.