Queensland University of Technology

CRICOS No. 00213J

Managing International Student Integration and Security Issues – an Australian perspective

Chris HepperlinDirector, Student Support Services

Queensland University of Technology,Brisbane Australia

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the worldrealR

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the worldrealR

The changing face of the future: Even more engaged with the region

Queensland University of Technology

CRICOS No. 00213J

AUSTRALIA Some Key Facts and Figures

Population of Australia (2013) 22.9 million

 

Population Growth Rate (2012) 1.6% pa

 

Average Life Expectancy (2012) 81 years 

Land Area 7.7 million sq km

(= to China or USA)

 

Gross Domestic Product (2011) $1379.4 billion

 

Contribution of IE to Economy (2011) $16 billion pa 

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the worldrealR

International EducationKey Facts and Figures

Number of Universities in Australia –

Publically funded 37

Privately funded 2

 

No. of students (2010) 1.193 million

 

Number of international students -

Higher Education 230,923

Vocational Education and Training (VET) 145,540

 

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the worldrealR

Key Facts and Figures

Major Source Countries -

China 29.0%

India 10.5%

Korea 5.4%

Vietnam 4.4%

Malaysia 4.2%

Other nationalities 46.5%

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the worldrealR

Marginson, S., Nyland, C., Sawir, E., Forbes-Mewett, H. (2010).

International Student Security. Port Melbourne: Cambridge Uni. Press

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the worldrealR

History & Development of Australian International Education

Some Political, Economic, Socio-cultural Drivers:

White Australia Policy / Migration Resistance Migration especially post-WWII White Australia Policy (dismantled 60’s & 70’s) Policy of Multi-culturalism officially adopted 1972 Colombo Plan (from 1950’s) Cap on international student places lifted (mid 1990’s) Decreased uni funding; inadequate IE regulation as numbers

increased significantly (mid 1990’s) ESOS 2000 – Inadequate quality controls Close link of IE to immigration / labour market needs

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the worldrealR

Source: https://www.aei.gov.au/research/international-student-data/pages/default.aspx Retrieved 14 Feb 2013

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the worldrealR

Political, Economic, Socio-cultural Drivers... ctd

Tightening of student visa conditions 2010

Post crisis response (2010 – ):

Serious efforts to achieve a coordinated, strategic & effective policy and regulatory framework for AIE

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the worldrealR

Baird Report – Stronger, simpler, smarter ESOS

ESOS Act (2000) and Baird Review: The ESOS legislation was designed to ensure quality of education providers. ESOS (2000) reviewed and improved; ESOS amended in 2010 – all HEI’s required to re-register under stricter quality standards. ESOS works in conjunction with the National Code of Practice for IE providers.

COAG International Students Strategy

State and Federal Governments of Australia developed an International Students Strategy for Australia to create a sustainable future for quality international education in Australia.

Knight Review – Student Visa & Immigration Reforms

The Knight Review recommended, and the Government adopted, a suite of changes designed to make getting student visas easier and Australia a more attractive destination for study and work.

TEQSA & AQSA Independent national regulator of the HE sector set up in 2011. Particular focus on quality, conducts audits, and has legislative powers to act on cases of poor quality (e.g. English standards), including the power to enter institutions and search records, enforce compliance and de-register, close down and prosecute operators. AQSA is a similar regulator for the VET sector.

Australia Awardshttp://www.australiaawards.gov.au Aim to: develop leader with close links to Australia; promote knowledge, education links and ongoing ties between Australia and neighbouring countries through Australia's Government scholarships.

Australia in the Asian Century Paper

http://asiancentury.dpmc.gov.au Sets out ideas on and targets for Australia to make the most of opportunities from being part of the booming Asian region, as well as managing risks.

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the worldrealR

Improving Governance at a Local and Institutional Level

Improving the student experience for international students

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the worldrealR

Academic standards and quality

• TEQSA – e.g. English Language Standards

• Office of Learning & Teaching Research and Best Practice Benchmarking Projects e.g.– Language & Learning Support, – Academic Integrity

• Institutional initiatives – e.g. Language assessment including PELA

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the worldrealR

Supporting Interaction between domestic and international students:

• Community & Institution-level initiativeshttp://www.studybrisbane.com.au/study/default.aspx

• Celebrating International Festivals & Cultural Events

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the worldrealR

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the worldrealR

16.08.2012Ramadan Dinner

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the worldrealR

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the worldrealR

Accommodation

• Private Sector

• Not peripheral to the operation of a uni because of link with Student Experience, Success & Satisfaction

• New Models with greater university involvement in Residential Life programming

• Govt support?

• Limited progress

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the worldrealR

Safety

• Community & Institutional Initiatives

• Enhance safety by having well-located, safe, affordable accommodation

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the worldrealR

Work Experience / Graduate Employment

• Post-completion work opportunities

• Institution initiatives – e.g. WIL; QUT-VQ partnership

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the worldrealR

Visa / Immigration

• Knight Report recommendations adopted – less complex

and faster visas:

e.g. SVP; work rights

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the worldrealR

Concluding Remarks (ii)

Lessons learned:

• Governance: Achieve the ‘right’ policy and regulatory settings at a government and institution level

• Pursue practices at a community, ‘market’ and institutional level that are both responsive to and genuinely supportive of international students.

• Avoid short term commercial gains that damage the long-term sustainability of the IE sector.

• Focus on improving quality – of learning and the broad student experience.

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the worldrealR

Concluding Remarks (i)

Fact: Around one million Australians now speak some version of the Chinese language

Australian face of the future: Even more engaged with the region

CRICOS No. 00213Ja university for the worldrealR