Advancing International Education Partnerships through Professional Placements
The value of immersive professional placements in strengthening Australia–Philippines education links
Overview
Strategic Development Group (Strategic) implemented the Professional Placements Program on behalf of the Australian Government to enable Australian and Southeast Asian businesses to send and receive early- to mid-career professionals for international professional placements. Through this program, Strategic has enabled knowledge exchange and capacity-building opportunities for 58 businesses, fostering enduring business-to-business relationships grounded in strong people-to-people connections.
In February and March 2026, a leading Australian university, Swinburne University of Technology, hosted two professionals from Asia Pacific College (APC), Philippines, for five-week business placements through the Professional Placements Program. The placements were designed to support the development of what is planned to be Swinburne’s first transnational education partnership with a Filipino college, providing an opportunity for both institutions to deepen their understanding of each other’s academic, administrative, and operational practices.
Participating organisations
Two organisations participated in this professional placement.
Philippine Business: Asia Pacific College
Higher education institution, Makati, Philippines
Asia Pacific College (APC) is a higher education institution in the Philippines that focuses on delivering industry-relevant education, particularly in information technology, business, engineering, accountancy, entrepreneurship, and multimedia arts.
Australian Business: Swinburne University of Technology
Higher education institution, Melbourne, Australia
Swinburne University of Technology (Swinburne) is a leading Australian university based in Melbourne, specialising in technology, innovation, and industry-connected education. The university is known for its strong industry partnerships, research excellence, and work-integrated learning programs that provide students with real-world experience while they study.
The Opportunity: Officials from APC and Swinburne had been engaged in discussions since late 2024 to explore what would become the first transnational education partnership between Swinburne and a Filipino college. Recognising the value of firsthand engagement in understanding each other’s academic, administrative, and operational environments, the program facilitated two complementary placements designed to support this objective. Saul (Agassi) Adre, Director of the International Linkages Office, focused on academic and international partnership development, including teaching practices and strategies to enhance student learning outcomes, while Kimberly Malate, Registrar, examined student lifecycle processes and administrative operations. Together, these placements provided APC and Swinburne with a structured opportunity to identify operational synergies, deepen mutual understanding, and lay the groundwork for a more integrated and sustainable partnership.
Placement outcomes
The placements enabled APC and Swinburne to move beyond preliminary discussions and engage in detailed, face-to-face conversations about the practical requirements of establishing a partnership. Through direct interaction, both institutions gained a clearer understanding of each other’s strategic priorities, institutional capabilities, and regulatory environments, helping to establish a strong foundation for future collaboration.
“It allowed face-to-face discussions which provided a better understanding of the alignment of both our institutions and to also cross-understand the institutions ambitions and government requirements of establishing a new transnational education partnership.”
For APC, the placement provided valuable insight into the requirements, expectations, and capabilities needed to support successful transnational education delivery.
“It afforded me the opportunity to learn more about Swinburne’s operations, especially on the transnational education end. The meetings I had with different units and departments gave me a better understanding of the requirements, standards, and expectations… This would then enable me to cascade necessary information to plan and capacitate where necessary in order to actualize transnational education delivery.”
A key outcome of the placement was the development of stronger relationships and deeper institutional trust. By spending time on campus and engaging with staff in person, APC gained a more authentic understanding of Swinburne’s culture, student experience, and operations. This level of engagement accelerated planning discussions and provided a depth of understanding that would not have been possible through virtual meetings alone.
Saul (Agassi) Adre, Director, International Linkages Office, and Kimberly Malate, Registrar, Asia Pacific College (APC), Philippines, during their professional placements in Melbourne
“What has helped is the openness and the depth of conversation...If we had held just a series of online meetings it would not have been as effective or candid or in sharing. Being on campus will help us with prospective students and understanding what the experience is like in Melbourne…
Participating in the placements program was necessary to facilitate the relationship APC had with Swinburne and get the planning ready for transnational education delivery.”
Mutual Benefits and Broader Impact from this Placement
Deeper understanding of regional operating environments in the education sector
Enhanced capability to support transnational education partnerships
Expanded professional networks across Australia and the Philippines
Strengthened cross-border collaboration between Australian and Philippine higher education institutions
Increased Australia-Philippines knowledge exchange and sharing of leading practices
Conclusion
The placement demonstrated the value of immersive, in-person engagement in advancing complex international education partnerships. By enabling APC and Swinburne representatives to work directly with colleagues across academic and administrative functions, the program accelerated mutual understanding, strengthened institutional relationships, and provided practical insights to support future transnational education delivery.
The connections established through the placements have created a strong foundation for continued collaboration between the two institutions as they progress plans for what is intended to be Swinburne's first transnational education partnership with a Filipino college. More broadly, the engagement highlights how professional placements can foster meaningful people-to-people connections that underpin enduring educational and business partnerships across Southeast Asia and Australia.
About the Professional Placements program
The Professional Placements Program was an 18-month pilot program funded by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. The program offered support to Australian and Southeast Asian businesses to send or host temporary professional placements of young professionals between Australia and Southeast Asia. Countries included Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.
