Justine Elliot, the Parliamentary Secretary for Trade, launched an innovative video whilst in Vladivostok, Russia promoting Australia's international education sector under its new brand, Future Unlimited.

"Future Unlimited encapsulates what Australian education is all about: helping students build a better future, wherever they come from," Mrs Elliot told the launch which was held in the Vladivostok offices of Austrade (the Australian Trade Commission).

Australia hosted some 430,000 international students last year, generating $13.9 billion in export income and employing over 100,000 people.

"Almost 70 per cent of Australian universities rank in the top 500, and in the latest rankings from two organisations, there are seven Australian universities in the top 200," she said.

The Future Unlimited video was produced by award-winning visual effects company Animal Logic, makers of hit movies such as Happy Feet. The soundtrack is by Australian producer Johnny Green. A Russian translation will also be available soon.

During her visit to Vladivostok Mrs Elliot met academic and government leaders to promote Australia’s international education sector and the broader trade and investment relationship with Russia and, particularly, the Russian Far East.

Mrs Elliot met with the acting Rector of the Far Eastern Federal University, Mr Igor Vatulin, to discuss education issues and how Australian and Russian universities might build on existing collaborations to the benefit of students and universities in both countries.

While in Vladivostok, Mrs Elliot also met Mr Alexander Kostenko, First Vice-Governor of the Primorye Regional Government, and toured Russky Island, where Russia will host the 2012 APEC Summit in September.

Two-way merchandise trade between Australia and Russia was in excess of $1.5 billion in 2010–11, which represents an increase of 64.2 per cent on the previous year. Russia is a major merchandise trading partner and the commercial relationship continues to strengthen.

The video is available from www.studyinaustralia.gov.au and the Australia Unlimited website, where tablet owners can also download a free Australia Unlimited app.

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