Lessons for wide world
NORTH American students are flocking to Townsville in greater numbers and driving strong growth in the region’s international education sector.
Students from the US and Canada accounted for more than 34 per cent of Townsville’s entire international student population in 2017, according to new federal government data.
It comes as international student enrolments in Queensland increased by 11.6 per cent last year.
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones, who is on a trade mission in the US, said Townsville was one of the state’s fastest growing international education markets.
“Students are choosing Townsville because they know they can get a worldclass education in one of the best tourism destinations in the world,” she said.
Ms Jones said the increase was testament to the “great experience” Townsville operators were providing visitors.
“Queensland is leading Australia when it comes to our support for international education,” she said.
“We’ll continue to invest in this space so Queensland becomes Australia’s undisputed capital for international education.”
Ms Jones said after successfully recruiting more students from the North American market, Study Townsville was turning its attention to the growing Chinese market.
“In the last round of the International Education and Training Partnership Fund, Townsville was granted $ 42,500 by the Queensland Government to continue to grow Townsville’s reputation and appeal as a study destination,” she said.
Ms Jones said the government would continue to back international education initiatives in Townsville through the $ 6 million fund, which is due to be spent across Queensland over the next five years.
Earlier this year, Queensland’s International Education and Training Advisory Group met in Townsville to discuss how to attract more students to North Queensland.
International education expert Will Archer said understanding why students chose Townsville was crucial to the success.
“The students could have gone literally anywhere in the world,” Mr Archer said.
“It’s about understanding how they made the choice to ( study in Townsville).
“Students can be valuable ambassadors for a region after they have spent time here.
“They go home and talk about their experience and encourage friends and family to visit.”