FIGHT FOR STUDENTS
New policy may remove internationals from cities
MOVES are afoot to prevent the Gold Coast from losing more than a billion dollars a year from international student revenue due to a proposal by the Federal Government.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison yesterday announced international students could be forced to study at regional universities to put an end to overcrowding in major cities.
But Mayor Tom Tate urged Mr Morrison to make the Gold Coast one of the participating regions, considering the big effort the city has made to attract international learners.
THE Gold Coast could lose $1.5 billion annually from international student revenue if a new Federal Government policy goes ahead.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison yesterday announced international students could be forced to study at regional universities to put an end to overcrowding in major cities.
Mayor Tom Tate urged the government to reconsider the Gold Coast as one of the participating regions, considering the $10.8 million investment the city has made to attracting international learners.
“I call on the Federal Government to call on what regions are in and out,” he said.
“We want to be a part of this deal – it’s as simple as that.
“I understand the Federal Government doesn’t define the Gold Coast as a region when it comes to other criteria but I want them to reconsider.
“We are investing $10.8 million over four years to drive greater tertiary student numbers for our city, and we regularly score as No.1 in Australia for student experience.
“We have the best infrastructure to manage more students including world-class universities and colleges, reliable public transport including light rail, a dedicated student hub, and two international airports within 90km of each other.
“We are also a safe city with 550 CCTV cameras, purposebuilt student accommodation and fantastic support networks. If any city deserves consideration, it’s us.”
Cr Tate said the prospect of losing international students was too scary to comment on.
The Gold Coast has 29,000 international students, with a plan to accommodate 35,000 by 2024.
Study Gold Coast CEO Shannon Willoughby said the first step would be to clarify whether or not the Gold Coast is considered a regional city.
“We’d welcome the discussion that second-tier cities like the Gold Coast are considered as part of this regionalisation plan,” she said.
“International education is Australia’s third-largest export, and the Gold Coast wants to increase its market share.
“We have invested in high quality education, we are affordable compared to some of the bigger cities and it’s a safe, clean, welcoming city.”