Australia and Singapore will recognize more degrees awarded by each other's universities, including law and medical degrees.  It's under a new agreement that strengthens ties between the countries in a number of areas. 

"Singaporean students have long been an important part of the higher education landscape in Australia," said Melbourne Law School's dean Carolyn Evans.  "We have a great deal of respect for the quality of students from Singapore and it is wonderful to see this official recognition by Singapore of the quality of Australian legal education," she added.

Singapore will recognize the Juris Doctor (JD) degrees awarded by ten Australian universities, which have already been approved for their law degrees.  In return, Australia will recognize the undergraduate and JD law degrees of Singapore universities, subject to applicable conditions in the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement.  Singapore will also recognize postgraduate medical degrees from the University of Queensland and the Australian National University, as well as 15 additional allied health qualifications in Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech Therapy.

In addition to education, Australia and Singapore are updating trade relations and military cooperation.  Singapore will pay AU$2.25 billion to upgrade defense facilities at Shoalwater Bay and Townsville.  Up to 14,000 Singaporean troops could use them for 18 weeks each year, which is a major convenience for the city-state which lacks its own space for military training. 

"It is a very, very significant commitment to investment in north Queensland," said Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull