News and Opportunities
Austrade update 27 April 2011
27 Apr 2011
Austrade Update provides news about recent Austrade activities of interest to the education sector.
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- Thinking about India — future marketing and promotion plans
Thinking about India — future marketing and promotion plans
Austrade and representatives from the university and vocational education and training sectors met on 18 April 2011 to discuss Austrade’s future marketing and promotion plans for India.
Eleven institutions from Melbourne, Sydney and Perth took part in the discussions via videoconference with Austrade’s Education Team in Delhi and Canberra, along with Austrade’s Senior Trade Commissioner to India, Mr Peter Linford.
An Austrade discussion paper outlined its assessment of Australian education and training in the India market, the broad priorities for its draft strategy and an outline of its planned activities for 2011–12. These were set out under Austrade’s Global Education Framework and included cross-sectoral activities leveraging Austrade’s expertise and connections in other industry sectors.
The consultation provided a valuable opportunity for Austrade to discuss the key challenges for Australia in the India market with opinion leaders from the education sector. Participants highlighted the need to broaden and deepen Australia’s relations with India in education and many were keen to see Australia establish a strong and unique value proposition in India focused on the outcomes of an Australian education and evidence of its quality. There was a focus on developing stronger relationships with employers both in Australia and in India. This included leveraging successful Indian alumni and engagement with large Indian corporates to deliver training programs in fields in which Australia leads the world.
The discussions also highlighted the need to connect with Indian students and the broader Indian community in Australia as key influencers of perceptions of Australia in India. There also was a desire to receive deeper city-based market intelligence, data about affordability factors (including financing of studies), and local employment opportunities. Other topics canvassed included agent engagement, media and communications, and scholarships.
Austrade is preparing a summary paper for participants and will use these discussions to inform its 2011–12 India strategy. A similar consultation for the China market will be held on 13 May 2011.