The Australia Korea Foundation has unveiled its comprehensive grant program for 2025-2026, approving funding for 19 innovative projects designed to enhance people-to-people exchanges and strengthen the bilateral relationship between Australia and South Korea. These initiatives span multiple sectors including education, business development, and industry collaboration, reflecting the growing partnership between the two nations.
Among the flagship projects receiving support is a joint short course on business practices in Korea and Australia, which will be collaboratively led by the University of Sydney and Yonsei University. This program aims to equip participants with practical knowledge and cultural insights necessary for conducting business across both markets. Additionally, James Cook University will implement a peer mentoring program that connects Australian and Korean working holidaymakers, fostering cross-cultural understanding and support networks for young professionals experiencing life in each other's countries.
The grant program also includes significant industry-focused initiatives, most notably a citrus export project spearheaded by Citrus Australia. This project is specifically designed to build and strengthen industry relationships between Australian and Korean agricultural sectors, potentially opening new market opportunities and enhancing trade cooperation in the agricultural domain.
In a parallel academic development, Dr. Constantinos Yiallourides from Macquarie University has been officially appointed as the 2026 Visiting Professor of Australian Studies at Seoul National University. This prestigious appointment underscores the commitment to deepening academic ties between the two countries. Dr. Yiallourides will concentrate his efforts on fostering research collaboration and facilitating academic exchanges that benefit both Australian and Korean institutions.
The announcement coincided with the fourth Korea Australia Future Forum held in Sydney, a high-level gathering that brought together prominent leaders from academia, business, and government sectors from both nations. The Australia Korea Foundation and Korea Foundation jointly welcomed participants to this significant diplomatic event, which served as a crucial platform for meaningful dialogue on various bilateral issues including trade relations, strategic cooperation, innovation partnerships, and shared priorities for future collaboration between Australia and South Korea.
