One of the most important projects to come out of the sister city relationship, the Government Leadership Training program, was an initiative first discussed during the Melbourne – Tianjin 20th anniversary celebrations in 2000.
Madame Xing Jun, Senior Advisor to the Mayor of Tianjin, led a delegation of more
than 100 people from Tianjin to Melbourne during the anniversary celebrations. One of the issues discussed was the development of a strategy to train the next generation of business and government leaders in Tianjin.
The City of Melbourne recognises the government of China’s requirement for its leaders at all levels to receive exposure to western management, government and business policies. Government agencies such as the Tianjin Municipal People’s Government have recognised the importance of providing its senior officials with access to international training and immersion of western cultures.
RMIT partnership
Beginning in September 2001, the Tianjin Government Leaders Training program is a joint partnership between the City of Melbourne, the Tianjin Municipal People’s Government and RMIT International. Under this program 20 senior business and government leaders are sent to Melbourne, to take part in a 12-week business management course at RMIT University.
The focus of the Government Leaders Training program is international business management. Outside the classroom, one of the main aspects of the program is for the leaders to forge close working relationships with Melbourne’s business and government sectors.
This is achieved by hosting networking functions, arranging industry site visits and having guest speakers present to the leadership group. The mentoring/partnering program matches Tianjin leaders with similar business or government interests in Melbourne.