Local students may also have the opportunity to study in China as part of the new Memorandum of Understanding between Warrnambool and Changchun and Deakin.

Deakin University Vice Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander and Warrnambool mayor Kylie Gaston will sign the new MOU in China on Tuesday.

They are being accompanied on the trip by Warrnambool campus Director Alistair McCosh.

“It’s exciting for the campus and for the region more broadly with the benefits that come from international students,” Mr McCosh said.

“International students add diversity and vibrancy to rich fabric of our student population and they contribute to the entire community, offering many benefits to our region.”

Next year 10 scholarships with a 25 per cent tuition discount, plus one Vice-Chancellor scholarship offering a 100 per cent discount, will be offered to eligible Changchun City and Jilin Province students. Attached to each scholarship will be a 25 per cent accommodation subsidy.

In addition, one PhD research scholarship will encourage international research collaboration.

The scholarships will be offered over three years.

“We’re looking at the benefits more broadly than just student recruitment,” Mr McCosh said.

“We want to look at research opportunities, particularly in the work being undertaken by Deakin Rural Health in chronic disease management and how that could be applied in China.

“There are also potential opportunities for Warrnambool students to visit Changchun to study.”

The sister city agreement was signed in 2012. Changchun City has about 7.5 million people with about four million residing in the city and the balance in surrounding farming areas.

Cr Gaston said the MOU created great opportunities for students in Changchun and Warrnambool.

“Alistair and I were both part of the sister city delegation organised by Council in 2015 and it is wonderful to now have real outcomes emerging,” she said.

“As a cosmopolitan city we welcome international students who will help enrich our region.”