Australia’s so-called Group of Eight universities has called for the Government’s commitment to expanding the role of international education in the post-Covid world so as to boost the country’s economic growth, foster foreign diplomacy and contribute to national security.
The Go8 comprises leading research-intensive universities – the University of Melbourne, the Australian National University, the University of Sydney, the University of Queensland, the University of Western Australia, the University of Adelaide, Monash University and UNSW Sydney.
“The impact of Covid-19 has forced universities to rethink business models,” said Go8 Chief Executive, Vicki Thomson.
“And with large numbers of international student arrivals not anticipated until Semester One 2022, it is critical that the government and higher education sector work together to develop a model that maintains our competitive advantage in international education and research – while ensuring Australia has the skills and expertise required to meet our national priorities.”
Thomson said the Go8 looked forward to collaborating with the Government to develop the new International Education Strategy 2021-2030, announced by the Minister for Education, Alan Tudge, on Wednesday.
Australia’s universities have been in economic crisis due to the lack of fee-paying foreign students since the start of the pandemic.
According to data from the Department of Education, Skills and Employment released in early January this year, approximately 130,000 students who have already started their studies in Australia have been stranded in other countries due to Covid-19 border restrictions.
As of 10 January, 39% of the 350,000 people who hold an Australian student visa were not in the country, the department stated.
“In addition to the positive financial impact international education has on the broader Australian economy – every three international students studying at a Go8 university generates $1-million in economic impact – international students bring diversity and enhance the learning experience of domestic students,” Thomson said.
“International education fosters strong ties between nations, boosting trade and cooperation. The research expertise and workforce skills provided by international students is vital to Australia’s continued economic growth.
“Currently around 30,000 international students enrolled at Go8 universities are still studying offshore and have stuck by Australia through the pandemic. In an increasingly competitive digital environment, we need to develop models that deliver Australia’s world class education to the international community.”