Strengthening educational ties across Australia and Southeast Asia
The ASEAN–Australia Centre and Asialink Education are delighted to announce the selection of 18 new schools for the second cohort of the ASEAN–Australia BRIDGE School Partnerships Program.
This cohort brings together primary and secondary schools from across Australia and Southeast Asia, continuing the momentum of the inaugural program launched earlier this year and joining the 38 schools already participating.
The selected schools represent a diverse mix of public and private institutions, regional and metropolitan locations, and a strong commitment to inclusive education, innovative pedagogy, and intercultural learning. These school partnerships will connect educators and students across nine ASEAN Member States and Australia, fostering mutual understanding and collaboration.
The second cohort will engage in a year-long program of professional learning, virtual collaboration, and reciprocal visits. Southeast Asian educators will travel to Australia in March 2026, followed by Australian educators visiting their partner schools in Southeast Asia in April 2026. The program also includes 4 virtual student workshops and joint projects designed to deepen intercultural understanding and build lasting relationships.
Lisa Hayman, Acting Director of Asialink Education, said:
“This second cohort reflects the growing enthusiasm among schools to build meaningful connections across our region. We are thrilled to welcome these new partnerships and look forward to the innovative learning experiences they will create for their students and school communities.”
Fiona Hoggart, Head of the ASEAN-Australia Centre, said in her remarks to the second cohort: “Schools prepare our future thinkers and leaders. Classrooms are crucial places for igniting curiosity and shaping global citizens. Through BRIDGE, we hope the connections you make will have a lasting, positive impact on your students and communities.”
Participating Schools – Second Cohort
Australian Schools:
- Alyangula Area School, NT
- Hills International College, QLD
- Holy Rosary School / Our Lady of Good Counsel School, WA
- Mungindi Central School, NSW
- Oxley College, NSW
- Plympton International College, SA
- Port Lincoln High School, SA
- St Mary's Primary Laidley, QLD
- St Michael's Lutheran Primary, SA
ASEAN Schools:
- Angsilapittayakom School, Thailand
- American University of Phnom Penh High School - Foxcroft Academy (AUPPHS-FA), Cambodia
- Bình Phú Lower Secondary School, Vietnam
- EBC Asumau Remexio, Timor-Leste
- Maktab Sains Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan, Brunei
- Mee Toh School, Singapore
- Phonmee Secondary School, Laos
- SMK Pulau Ketam, Malaysia
- SMK Takis Papar, Malaysia
The ASEAN–Australia BRIDGE School Partnerships Program is an initiative of the ASEAN–Australia Centre and is implemented by Asialink Education (formerly Asia Education Foundation) at the University of Melbourne.
For more information, visit https://asialink.unimelb.edu.au/education/program/asean-bridge or contact asean-bridge@unimelb.edu.au.
About the ASEAN-Australia Centre
The ASEAN-Australia Centre was announced by the Prime Minister of Australia at the
ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in March 2024, and has been operational since 1 July 2024. The Centre supports the Australian Government’s commitment to deepen engagement with Southeast Asia for a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.
The Centre supports the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and implements recommendations from Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. It delivers programs and initiatives across its four pillars – Southeast Asia literacy, economic linkages, education and cultural connections.
For more information visit: aseanaustraliacentre.org.au.
About Asialink Education
Asialink Education (formerly Asia Education Foundation) empowers school leaders, teachers, students and young professionals with global perspectives, cultural understanding and relationships to navigate a shared future in our region.
Established in 1992, we have been a trusted partner of the Australian Government, state and territory Governments, and philanthropic organisations for 30+ years. Working in the primary, secondary and tertiary education sectors, and with young professionals, our programs draw on our trusted regional networks to provide life-changing opportunities for building Asia Capability, knowledge, skills, partnerships and networks to engage across our diverse region effectively.
For more information visit: asialink.unimelb.edu.au/education.
You can also contact Asialink Education via phone (+61 3 8344 4800) or email asialink-education@unimelb.edu.au.
Media Contact:
Lisa Hayman
Acting Executive Director, Asialink Education (formerly Asia Education Foundation)
The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010 Australia
M +61 42868 5181
P: +61 (0)3 8344 4800
E: lhayman@unimelb.edu.au
W: https://asialink.unimelb.edu.au/education/
