Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
New research shows Australia remains an attractive destination for international students, despite the enormous impacts of Covid-19 on the country’s universities and their ability to educate learners from overseas, the Federal Government is claiming.
According to education minister, Alan Tudge, about 87,000 international students took part in the 2020 International Student Experience Survey in August and September last year, with 91 percent rating certain aspects of their overall living experience in Australia highly.
Of those surveyed, more than 90% were satisfied with their personal safety on campus, accommodation, and opportunities to improve their English skills. However, in other key areas, things look less rosy.
The rating of the Quality of the Entire Educational Experience fell from 75 percent to 63 percent, with significant drops in the Learning Resources (11 point drop) and Learner Engagement (10 point drop) categories.
A statement from the minister said these could be largely attributed to more international students studying online and the impacts of the pandemic. The survey was conducted at the height of Victoria’s lockdown and at a time when many students were studying offshore.
But there were still some shining lights among Australia’s academic institutions, with the likes of Edith Cowan University and Southern Cross University managing to improve their results.
“While our international student market has been significantly impacted by Covid-19, our fundamentals as a destination of choice remain strong,” Tudge said.
“It is clear some institutions have managed the Covid-19 transition better than others, and universities will need to consider how they improve the international student experience in the short and medium term to keep students engaged.”
He added: “International students are an important part of the Australian community, and more than half a million have stayed here during the pandemic. We continue to work closely with universities, states and territories on their plans to return international students when conditions allow.
“I do acknowledge that it has been a particularly challenging time for many students and their families, both in Australia and overseas, and I thank them for sticking with us during this difficult period.”
The full 2020 International Student Experience report can be found online.