News and Opportunities
Austrade update 30 March 2011
30 Mar 2011
Austrade Update provides news about recent Austrade activities of interest to the education sector
On this page:
Australian Education Excellence Showcase 2011 India and Sri Lanka
Australian excellence in education was showcased at the recent Australian Education Excellence Showcase 2011. Held across eight cities in India (New Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Kochi and Chennai) and in Colombo, Sri Lanka, the first Australian Government-organised Indian education showcase highlighted the quality, innovation and leadership of Australian education through education exhibitions and concurrent information sessions.
Thirty-five Australian higher education and vocational education institutions participated in the showcase and disseminated information about Australian education to prospective students, including an overview of academic programs, scholarships, student experience, safety measures and career paths through Australian qualifications.
Run jointly with the education exhibition, information sessions focused on topics including the international student experience in Australia, Australian innovations, collaborative partnerships, scholarships and student life and living in Australia. These sessions were organised by Austrade in partnership with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and Australian Education International (AEI), as well as successful Indian alumni of Australian institutions. Exclusive sessions on global careers and the role of an Australian education in facilitating this were also organised as part of the program.
The exhibition and information sessions provided a holistic overview of the education experience in Australia for prospective students and also highlighted a range of models for in-market partnerships. More than 1500 students and education stakeholders participated in the showcase across nine locations. The showcase attracted around 350 unique media mentions reinforcing both positive messages and the quality aspects of studying in Australia to prospective students and the wider Indian community.
The showcase was organised by Austrade, supported by AEI and DIAC.
Left to Right – Michael Carter, Trade Commissioner, Chennai; and Peter Nolan, Counsellor, Australian Education International
Austrade Washington relaunches Student Blogging Program
Austrade Washington has relaunched its Student Blogging Program with 16 study abroad students from North America. The purpose of the blog is to generate discussion and interest in studying in Australia. More than 50 current study abroad students applied to the voluntary blogging program. Austrade Washington selected the students who represented a range of programs, majors and Australian universities as well as demonstrated their blogging ability and enthusiasm for studying in Australia.
Since its relaunch in early March, the blog has generated nearly 1000 views, and the Study in Australia Facebook page has received more than 400 views each time the student bloggers post an update to their blogs.
Visit our website to view profiles of the 16 student bloggers.
The Study in Australia blog, which also contains links to student bloggers, can be viewed here.
Study in Australia — Education agent briefing and reception in Hong Kong
Austrade hosted the first Study in Australia Agent Briefing and Reception in Hong Kong on 10 March 2011. Forty-six education agents from Hong Kong and Macau, along with 16 local representatives from Australian institutions and state governments attended.
The event was an important opportunity for the education agents to hear the latest updates on Australian Government policies in the international education sector, plus market insights and trends in Hong Kong and Australia. The education agents then had the opportunity to meet with representatives of Austrade’s Education team, Australian Education International (AEI) and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and ask questions about the international education market.
Following the information session, the Australian Consul-General, Les Luck, and Chief Executive Officer of AEI, Colin Walters, joined the reception.
Austrade values the important role that education agents play in the international promotion of Australian education, as they influence student and parent choices concerning the country of destination, the institution and the field of study. Austrade will actively engage with education agents in Hong Kong and Macau and maintain regular communication with them on market trends and developments. Austrade will also continue to support offshore training of education agents, such as that provided through the PIER Online Education Agent Training Course (EATC). Currently more than 70 Qualified Education Agent Counsellors from Hong Kong have been listed on PIER Online.
Australian education in the spotlight at the first Macau Education Fair
Students and parents were recently invited to the first international education fair in Macau, held on 25–27 February 2011. The three-day exhibition attracted more than 9000 visitors, which was a high number for a Macau exhibition. Universities, colleges and training institutions from Australia, USA, United Kingdom, Switzerland, mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong were represented.
Austrade was invited to participate in a Study in Australia (SIA) booth, forming the only foreign government representation at the fair. The education team delivered seminars on studying and living in Australia and supported a small cluster of Australian institutions. The seminar covered issues such as the Australian education system, qualifications framework, quality assurance and legislation for the protection of overseas students, study options and benefits of studying in Australia. The newly formed Macau-Australia Students Association (MACSA) joined the seminars to present their experiences of Australian student life and meet with potential students and parents at the SIA booth.
Australia is one of the most sought-after English speaking study destinations for students in Macau. Solid interest and enquiries from students and parents at the SIA booth were encouraging indicators of future growth in the student market.
In Macau, an expanding tourism and gaming sector have driven strong economic growth in recent years. However, Macau’s economy slowed in 2008 following the global financial crisis. As a result of a booming economy in Macau and the expansion of casinos from 2006, there is still demand for a skilled workforce in the tourism and gaming industry.
The most popular disciplines for Macau are still the management and commerce fields. It is anticipated that the demand for a skilled workforce and employment prospects for these areas will continue to grow.
Australian education on show in Switzerland
In line with Austrade’s objectives to promote Australia’s international education sector and execute an effective engagement strategy with education agents, Austrade Frankfurt joined with allies including state governments, Australian universities, the Australian Embassy, English Australia and the Swiss-Australian Academic Network to conduct an education showcase in Zurich on 1 March. The event was also supported and promoted by the Swiss Embassy in Australia.
The showcase kicked off with a morning ELICOS-focused workshop for Swiss education agents and was followed by a Higher Education (HE) round-table in the afternoon with Swiss universities and universities of applied sciences. Both sessions drew strong interest, with 14 agents attending the morning workshop and 20 Swiss HE institutions — 75 per cent of all Swiss HE providers — participating in the afternoon session.
As a direct result of this event, all participating Australian universities have commenced discussions with Swiss universities regarding possible partnerships.
Australian Education Specialists Training Program in Thailand 2011
Austrade Bangkok’s annual Australian Education Specialist Training Program 2011 for education agents and representatives, held on 10 March, included a number of Australian guest speakers. The speakers had extensive experience in law course provision, and schooling in Australia.
Program sessions included:
- a market update
- Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) legislation
- ESOS reform and the impact on education agents
- the 2012 Endeavour Awards
- skills in demand in the Thai labour market
- post-study job opportunities and career paths for Thai graduates
- visa matters
- health check-up issues.
There were 125 attendees from 79 education agencies and five Australian in-country representatives in attendance for the training. Feedback from participants who answered a questionnaire indicated a high level of satisfaction with the program, content management, venue and logistics.
Education agents attend the Australian Education Specialists Training Program