RIYADH: The Kingdom and Australia are to sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in education and health needs of Saudi Arabia.

This was agreed during a two-day visit of Australian Tourism and International Education Minister Richard Colbeck to the Kingdom.

Colbeck, who was the host of Minister of Education Ahmed Al-Issa, is expected to work out the details of the proposed plan.

A 20-member Australian delegation headed by Colbeck met with senior government officials on Wednesday and Thursday in Riyadh. The country's ambassador, Ralph King, also took part in the discussions.

Australian Senior Trade Commissioner Mark Morley told Arab News that the bilateral talks between the officials will enhance the existing areas of relationship in education, health care, aviation, mining, agriculture and technical training.

He said the MOU will outline the cadres of doctors who would be coming to Australia for training on scholarships. They include general medical practitioners, radiographers, nurses, physiotherapists and other categories who can be trained in Australian in the field of medicine.

Australia has 24 universities on the list of top 200 universities in the world and 16 in the top 100, according to international ranking agency Times Higher Education. Its commitment to international engagement is demonstrated in the National Innovation and Science Agenda which further enhances Australia’s global reputation as a leader in research and education.

There is some 10,000 Saudi students studying in various colleges and universities in Australia. Morley said his country remains the fourth largest destination for Saudi students after the United States, the UK and Canada. Most of the Saudi students who stay with their familes in Australia follow courses in engineering, agriculture, mining, health care and oil and gas related fields.

The delegates also held talks with officials of the Ministry of Health, the Technical Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) and King Fahd Medical City in Riyadh to develop various areas of cooperation in health and vocational training and education.

During an Australian Food Promotion program conducted by Lulu Hypermarkets at Avenue Mall, Colbeck demonstrated personally how Australian meat should be sliced according to the needs of the customers.

“Our major exports to the Kingdom include meat and dairy products and I am pleased to take part personally in this promotion,” Colbeck said while demonstrating his skills at the food show.

Trade between the two countries is worth SR2.9 billion, which is in favor of Australia whose exports to the Kingdom include passenger vehicles, dairy and meat products.