Speeches
Tuesday, 16 June 2026
StudyAdelaide Education Partner Appreciation (Tokyo)
I am pleased to be here in Tokyo during my second official visit as Governor of South Australia.
This evening we gather to celebrate and to strengthen the enduring people-to-people connections between Japan and South Australia.
Education plays an enduring and significant role in building these connections.
For this reason, I am proud to be supporting the initiatives of the South Australian government and my state’s world-class education system.
Adelaide has been chosen by international students from over 130 nationalities as their study destination.
Ours is a vibrant and multicultural city that values the diversity that students from Japan bring to our city, classrooms, and workplaces. And students in turn benefit from the education and experience that only Adelaide can offer.
From schooling to university, we focus on ensuring students are set up for the future through their learning.
An example is the STEM Schools–Industry Partnerships initiative, where South Australian schools work closely with industry to align education with real-world needs.
These collaborations equip students with practical skills and experiences, preparing them to tackle real-world challenges and transition smoothly into vocational education or university pathways.
South Australia’s universities continue to transform with Adelaide University having opened on 1 January and now teaching its first cohort of students.
Adelaide University is a member of the Group of Eight and currently ranked 82nd in the world, an impressive feat that shows the strength of this new university on the world stage.
The new curriculum at Adelaide University is contemporary and industry informed, with work-integrated learning embedded through many courses.
Flinders University is also forging its global impact and launched its new strategic plan – Agenda 2035 in February.
Flinders has set an ambitious target to change 10 million lives for the better by 2035.
This vision is supported by multiple new facilities including its new city campus and the Health and Medical Research Building, the centrepiece of the exciting Flinders Village development program.
Both buildings provide greater connection for students' work integrated learning placements through their proximity to global and local businesses.
In addition to a world-class education system, our city offers a safe and friendly atmosphere that allows students to focus on their studies and personal growth, all while enjoying a unique blend of natural beauty and a vibrant lifestyle.
South Australia’s economy is also transforming, gaining momentum in industries including health, renewable energy, space, agriculture, and critical technologies.
Students from Japan can benefit from the growth we are cultivating in these globally relevant and future-facing industries.
In Adelaide, we bring students closer to success, through close links with the industries of the future and through the access provided to industry leaders and our innovation precincts at Lot Fourteen, Tonsley Innovation District and Adelaide BioMed City – all located minutes from the campuses of our universities.
This proximity is more than just a convenience – it enables students to gain experience and exposure to businesses and networks during their studies.
The South Australian international education sector is exceptional. The level of passion, care and authenticity is as strong as the quality of the offering.
As patron of StudyAdelaide, I observe firsthand the genuine commitment from the South Australian government and community to support students from Japan during their time living and learning in our city.
I take immense pride in hearing the stories from international alumni, and how their lives and careers have developed since their time in Adelaide - and how the experience of spending time as part of our community has shaped their lives and outlook.
Tonight, I want to acknowledge the vital role that our alumni, education agents and education partners play in promoting and advocating for Adelaide as a study destination.
You play a pivotal role in educating students on the opportunities awaiting them when they choose to study in Adelaide, and for that, on behalf of the Government of South Australia and our education community, I offer my sincere thanks.