University of Sydney offers industry training to Radio Beijing Corporation

The University of Sydney is running an industry training experience for Radio Beijing Corporation (RBC), which reaches an estimated 72 percent of listeners in China through its network of state-owned stations covering news, sport and culture.

RBC delegates are in Sydney to tour broadcasting education facilities at the University and hear from private and public broadcasting experts from Australia.

“This is a first for our Department in offering industry training,” said Dr Fiona Giles, Chair of the Department of Media and Communications (MECO).

“We see it as a great opportunity, not only to share our knowledge and expertise beyond the student body, but also to build relationships with industry professionals, both here and in China, and explore internship opportunities for our students and collaborative research projects for our staff.

“We will hold talks on developing a three-year program of dialogues between the University of Sydney and RBC on Sino-Australian radio,” said Dr Giles.

Mr Xi Weihang, Director of Radio Beijing Corporation, said: “RBC would like to take this training opportunity to expand the knowledge and horizons of delegates, promote stronger industry and academic communications between Australia and China, and develop long-term and broader cooperation with the University of Sydney.”

During the program, the delegation will hear about research into the growing role and impact of social media on broadcasting and its regulatory framework.

RBC’s visit to Sydney is the brainchild of Nila Liu, the producer and broadcaster of SBS’ Mandarin radio program. Ms Liu graduated from the University of Sydney in 2010 with a BA in Media and Communications – her professional links to RBC and Sydney laid the groundwork for the delegation’s visit.

“RBC is interested in the development of youth music radio stations in Australia and expects there will be plenty of chances for future collaboration and cooperation with professionals and researchers,” said Ms Liu. 

While in Sydney, RBC delegates will partake in a series of industry and academic presentations, panel discussions and question-and-answer sessions. The sessions have been organised by MECO program coordinators Chloe Collins and Dominic Santangelo.

Representatives from the ABC, Commercial Radio Australia, Southern Cross Austereo, Nova Entertainment and the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, are among those participating. RBC delegates will also visit the 2DAY FM, Triple M, ABC and SBS studios.