Kathe Kirby

Kathe Kirby BA Dip Ed (University of Melbourne) FACE

Kathe Kirby has held the positions of Executive Director of the Asialink Centre of The University
of Melbourne and of the Asia Education Foundation (AEF) since 1993 after a career in education at the school, policy and tertiary level. The AEF works nationally and internationally was established by the Australian Government in 1992 to lead, promote and support the studies of Asia in Australian schools as part of developing a curriculum relevant to Australians – and Australia - in the twenty-first century. Ms Kirby has led the AEF’s work in curriculum design and publishing resources, teacher professional learning and in establishing the wide range of strategic partnerships the AEF has built with education stakeholders across Australia and internationally. Kathe has worked in and with China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, India and the USA and New Zealand. She is a Board member of the Foundation for Young Australians, the Australia Malaysia Institute, the Myer Foundation’s Beyond Australia Committee and is a consultant with the Global Education Leaders Program. She is a regular contributor to the media on issues related to Asia literacy in Australian schools.