News and Opportunities
Austrade update 22 December 2010
22 Dec 2010
Austrade Update provides news about recent Austrade activities of interest to the education sector
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Significant savings for Austrade’s Market Information Package (MIP) subscribers
A significant reduction in the fees for Austrade’s Market Information Package (MIP) of up to 55 per cent will come into effect from 1 January 2011. The fee reduction is the first stage of the implementation of a review currently being undertaken by Austrade of the MIP and introduces a more flexible approach to subscribing to this valuable resource.
Austrade has been offering the MIP service since taking on the role of international marketing and promotion of Australian education and training from 1 July 2010. This has provided an opportunity for a review to provide a fresh new approach to content and delivery. By reducing the cost of subscription, Austrade is providing a greater opportunity for more Australian education and training providers to access the valuable market intelligence and resources contained in the MIP.
In addition to the reduced fees, the revised fee schedule introduces two new categories for smaller providers with 26–100 and 101–500 international student enrolments. The fee payable for those in the 26–100 category is reduced by 52 per cent and for the 101–500 category by 13 per cent. Fee reductions for larger providers and for industry peak bodies are also incorporated.
The second stage of the review will see further work on upgrading resources, additional details of events and opportunities, more updates and regularly revised Education Market Profiles.
A user survey will be distributed early in 2011 for Austrade to gain additional information to further streamline the MIP.
The new fee schedule is available on the Austrade education website.
Education Brand Update
On Monday, 13 December Austrade held a small workshop with representatives from a number of Australian universities to inform Austrade and its brand agency, M&C Saatchi, regarding current and desired brand positioning for Australia’s international education sector. Participants indicated that they welcomed the opportunity to inform the early stages of this review.
Austrade appreciates the insightful, comprehensive and frank input which will be helpful to the review process. M&C Saatchi will be developing concepts as a result of the feedback and the further research which will be undertaken. Throughout this repositioning/brand review Austrade will be consulting with the international education sector and will continue to provide regular updates via Global Education News.
Agents training in Jakarta
The Austrade Indonesia education team, together with colleagues from the Departments of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), recently conducted the first incorporated agents training in Jakarta. Conducted on 30 November, the training was attended by more than 50 student counsellors from 26 local education agents from Jakarta and Bandung, West Java.
The session was based on the PIER Online agents training and focused on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), and working effectively as education agents for Australian institutions. DEEWR focused on key developments in Australia’s international education policy, while DIAC briefed participants on key developments relating to student visas for Australia, including the latest on overseas student health cover for international students.
Participants gave positive feedback about the Australian government’s initiative, and that the training event enabled them to keep up-to-date with the country’s education sector. The Austrade Indonesia team plans to hold similar training sessions for education agents in other Indonesian cities in 2011.
Jawa Pos Deteksi Convention 2010 — biggest student gathering in Indonesia
Austrade Indonesia and the cultural section of the Australian Embassy in Jakarta recently co-managed the embassy’s participation in the Jawa Pos Deteksi Convention in Surabaya, East Java — the biggest student gathering in Indonesia.
The convention, held from 19–28 November, was organised by the Jawa Pos Group, one of Indonesia’s largest media groups, and drew an average of more than 6000 visitors per day, as well as daily media coverage. Mr Paul Robilliard, Charge d'Affaires of the Australian Embassy, and Mrs Tri Risma Harini, the Mayor of Surabaya, officially opened the 10-day convention. They were accompanied by Julianne Merriman, Trade and Investment Commissioner of Austrade Jakarta.
The Australian Embassy was one of the convention’s main sponsors, along with communications company AHA. Six Australian education institutions also participated in the convention — Flinders University, La Trobe University, Perth Education City, Gordon Institute, The Kilmore International School, and Brisbane North Institute of TAFE.
The institutions also sponsored five competitions, including the Journalist Blog Competition, 2D and 3D Mading Competition, Model Competition, and the OZ Challenge Quiz Competition. The winners were awarded a two-week study tour at the sponsoring education institutions.
Successful professional development training program for Thai educators
Austrade Bangkok assisted Thai educators from Assumption College in a recent visit to South Australia to upgrade their knowledge of teaching and learning methodology as a part of a professional development training program.
A group of 14 educators from Assumption College, Bangkok, Thailand visited Adelaide, South Australia, to participate in a teacher training program from Sunday 31 October to 11 November 2010, facilitated by Busarin Sinthunavarat, Education Manager, Austrade Bangkok. This program, funded by Assumption College, was a direct outcome of the ASEAN High School Counsellor Mission arranged and funded by Austrade in July 2010. The program was aimed at upgrading their knowledge of teaching and learning methodology, to strengthen the relationship between Thai institutions and Australian education providers, and to provide academic staff with first-hand information on the quality of the Australian education system and Australian lifestyle.
Following a one-day induction program in the South Australian state office, the group divided into two and were involved in a 2x2 day work shadowing program at both Banksia Park International High School and Heathfield High School. Through meetings with school leadership, teachers and students and classroom observations, some of the topics covered included curriculum, teaching and learning methodology, assessing and monitoring student academic performance. The group then visited TAFE SA and the University of Adelaide. Some of the topics covered included: food and science technology, oenology and vocational education and training in hospitality. They then spent three days at the Australian Science and Mathematics School, involved in professional learning programs. Some of the topics covered included interdisciplinary science and mathematics programs, approaches to teacher development and teacher appraisal.
Host South Australian Government Schools complimented the group on their professionalism, and feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive to all aspects of the program. All delegates agreed that the visit was well organised, and that the work shadowing activities were outstanding. Assumption College indicated that another group of delegates will visit Australia next year.
Education reform under the Ministry of Education in Thailand puts emphasis on upgrading the quality of teaching in maths, science and English language. Australian schools should consider the teacher training program as a way to work collaboratively and build good relationships with Thai schools.
For more information contact Ms Busarin Sinthunavarat, Education Manager, Austrade Bangkok (Phone: +66 2 696 4836).
Agent information session and luncheon in Ho Chi Minh City
Austrade Vietnam held an education agent information session and luncheon in Ho Chi Minh City on 30 November to kick-start an agent engagement strategy with local education agents. The session demonstrated the strong support of the Australian Government for local agents as key stakeholders for Australia’s international education sector.
The Australian Government was represented by the Consul General to Ho Chi Minh City, Graeme Swift; Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, Austrade Vietnam, Tony Burchill; and Austrade Education Commissioner for the South East Asia and South Asia Pacific region, Peter Mackey; along with senior staff from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
Designed as an informal information and networking opportunity, the session was successful in conveying a whole-of-government message of continuing support to nearly 40 Ho Chi Minh City-based agents that contribute substantially to student recruitment outcomes for Australia.
The presentation by Peter Mackey touched upon the transition of the marketing and promotion function from Australian Education International (AEI) to Austrade and confirmed Austrade’s role in agent training as well as PIER Online test invigilation and other support activities within the new function. It was also emphasised that an agent engagement strategy was central to Austrade’s overall approach in marketing and promotion of Australian education.
DIAC Ho Chi Minh City senior staff spoke about Australia’s visa system and requirements, as well as providing useful advice on application procedures and compliance issues.
A question and answer session was especially appreciated by representatives of both the government agencies and the agents, as it highlighted matters of interest to both parties and helped to foster greater mutual understanding.
The Austrade Vietnam education team is working on a follow-up plan to maintain and broaden the existing agent engagement, including working together with DIAC and AEI on a series of briefings and training sessions, as well as creating a range of communication channels, including periodical newsletters and update emails.
The session showcased strong support from the Australian Government to local agents as important stakeholders of Australia’s international education sector, which is essential in the current climate.
Agent information briefing sessions with Austrade, AEI and DIAC are also planned in Hanoi for mid-December.
Participants in the Agent Information Session and Luncheon in Ho Chi Minh City.
Season's greetings from the MIP team
2010 has been a big year for the team who bring you the latest information and market intelligence in the Global Education News (part of Austrade’s Market Information Package) each fortnight. We are keen to keep you up-to-date so in the New Year, we will be asking for your feedback to improve our services to you. In the meantime, we wish all our subscribers a safe and happy festive season.
Our first edition for the Global Education News for 2011 will be Wednesday, 19 January.