Parliamentary submission – International Education
The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade held an inquiry into the post COVID-19 recovery of Australia’s tourism and international education sectors. The Inquiry addressed challenges associated with the loss of international student numbers as a result of the significant disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and effective measures to attract and retain students to Australia and called for submissions sharing experiences about transitioning into the post COVID-19 period.
I contributed a submission limited to international education on 5th December, 2022.
Introduction and summary
The COVID pandemic exposed Australia’s vulnerabilities to international dependencies in many sectors, none more than its international education industry. The general consensus is that future pandemics should be factored into our planning. Therefore, the international education sector needs to temper its expectations.
The Committee’s exploration of online innovations to strengthen the sector’s resilience is commendable. There are numerous reasons for adapting the delivery of education to overseas students from onshore and retention (migration) pathways to online, distance and temporary visitation modes. There are compelling reasons for limiting the number of international students aiming for permanent residency to about 20% of university cohorts, as will be explained. In addition, greater separation between international education delivery and migration will improve the integrity of both. The calls for immigration to better refine its visa integrity are long-standing (2010).
This submission will explore these reasons and offer suggestions that strike a beneficial balance of face-to-face contact with the flexibility of online study for students resident overseas. These suggestions benefit the students and teachers themselves, their countries, Australia’s tourism, research and industry sectors, our environment and public finances.
This submission seeks to complement and augment the Australia Universities Accord Key Area 6. Quality and sustainability. Examine the challenges faced by domestic and international students and staff due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the temporary and permanent impacts on the way the higher education sector works. Support a competitive and resilient international education sector, reflecting the important role international students play in our society and economy, and Australia’s interest in deepening partnerships abroad. Media release.
To download the full submission, click on the image below.
Equanimity 