News and Opportunities
Future Unlimited at Poland’s largest education fair
18 Apr 2012
Twelve Australian institutions participated in the Australia Future Unlimited stand at Perspectives 2012, creating a major presence at the fair. Perspectives is Poland’s largest education fair and is held annually in Warsaw in March. Poland is one of Europe’s best performing economies and this year the fair attracted 280 exhibitors, including 39 foreign entities, and 46 000 visitors over three days.
While the number of international exhibitors was slightly fewer than in 2011, the number of countries represented (14) remained almost the same, with Switzerland, UK, Germany, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain and Australia the most dominant.
Visitors to the Australian Future Unlimited stand were primarily high school students looking at university study, whereas a few years ago the bulk of enquiries came from tertiary students. While high school students have another two or three years to decide on a study destination, they collect information well in advance, which is why student recruitment in Poland is a long process. This indicates a need to raise awareness about Australian education among Polish youth.
Students expressed interest in a broad spectrum of courses, including arts, engineering, music and medicine. Business studies seemed less popular this year.
Undergraduate courses drew significant enquiries but master’s programs attracted much attention, as they are considered a more affordable option. There were many enquiries, too, for scholarships and exchange programs, such as semester abroad.
An Austrade-conducted student seminar was well received, with the new Australia Future Unlimited video eliciting many interesting comments; students liked the music and the dynamic and modern nature of it.
Overall the event was successful and definitely contributed to positioning Australia as a provider of high quality education. Competition in the Polish market is strong and students take time to decide on an overseas study destination. It is therefore important to provide them with relevant information even if their decision will be taken two years or more in the future.
Students investigate the Australia Future Unlimited stand at Perspectives 2012