Australia’s strategy to revive international education is right to aim for more diversity

·    the arrival of COVID-19, commencing international student numbers fell dramatically by 22% in 2020.

·       The impacts of COVID prompted the government to further rethink its ten-year plan for international education

·       international students have been highly concentrated in some universities. And most come from a limited number of source countries.

·       The strategy is based on four pillars:

• diversification
• meeting Australia’s skills needs
• students at the centre
• growth and global competitiveness.

·       In 2019 report It noted double-digit growth in the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, India, and Sri Lanka. However, it also noted softening demand in other key markets, particularly China.

·       The risk of over-concentration in source countries was evident in 2019 report

Challenges and opportunities

• For universities to diversify into new markets they will have to manage a risk associated with limited market knowledge. Market concentration has meant Australian universities have become geo-market experts with a focus on particular countries. This approach is ingrained into university operations, strategic aspirations and global partnerships.

• new strategy is needed to increase diversification as most students come from a limited number of source countries and concentrated in six Australian universities: Sydney, Melbourne, Monash, UNSW, RMIT and UQ.
• COVID is still a challenge for international education providers

• The new strategy aims for the sector to reposition itself to increase offshore and transnational education. Typically, one in five international students study in these ways.

The strategy seeks greater diversity of courses, disciplines, source countries and delivery modes. The outcomes are to be

What we need:

• Rethink services and new students’ cohorts from new countries for future partnerships
• Taking in consideration the rise of COVID cases in Australia, focus on social cohesion and engagement strategies for all students studying in different modes
• The implementation of all strategy elements in practical ways such as finding out new engagement strategies and support .

Below are two links, first one is for the article on the conversation and the second one is for the new Australian strategy for international education 2021-2030

1. https://theconversation.com/australias-strategy-to-revive-international-education-is-right-to-aim-for-more-diversity-172620
2. https://www.dese.gov.au/australian-strategy-international-education-2021-2030

Meeting Recording:
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