International student support
WHILE there is almost no part of the Australian economy left untouched by the Covid-19 pandemic, the international education sector has been particularly hard hit by border closures and uncertainties created by the spread of coronavirus.
According to federal government data, there were more than 580,000 international students studying in Australia in 2020. This dropped significantly during Covid-19.
Modelling by Universities Australia shows that by 2023, universities stand to lose $16bn because of the loss of international students.
However, there has been a recent positive rebound in the number of student visas lodged for higher education since early 2022.
“International education enriches Australia’s universities, culture, society and the economy,” said Ly Tran, from Deakin University’s Strategic Research Centre in Education, Research for Educational Impact (REDI).
“International students create long-lasting ties that enhance Australia’s multilateral relationships and international position.
“Providing effective support
for international students is critical to Australia’s reputation as a study destination and an ethical responsibility in ensuring satisfactory experiences for this cohort.”
To support Australia’s international education sector to rebuild and reposition for the future, Professor Tran will lead a team, including Professor Jill Blackmore and Danielle Hartridge (Deakin), Associate Professor Helen Forbes-Mewett (Monash) and Renata Aldana (Oz International Student Hub) in a national research project on good practices for international student engagement.
Deakin has been contracted by the Australian government to implement the best practice international student engagement project under the International Education Innovation Fund.
The IEIF is a $10m program to support the international education sector to innovate, diversify and grow.
“International student
engagement is vital for creating a connected, creative and caring international educational experience for all students studying in Australia,” Prof Tran said.
“The Covid-19 pandemic, recent border closures and the large-scale pivot towards online or blended learning present a range of challenges to international students and
education providers in Australia and around the world. This means we need to re-imagine student engagement in the post-pandemic environment.”
She said researchers would work with the international education sector and communities to identify what good practice in international student engagement looked like, determine enabling and inhibiting factors and investigate how international students could be more effectively supported.
The project will focus on factors including fostering engagement between domestic and international students; engagement between international students and the local community; and, support services for employability, accommodation, finance, mental health and wellbeing.
“Offering a range of suitable on-campus and off-campus student activities is critical to fostering international students’ connectedness and a sense of belonging,” Prof Tran said.
“It’s vitally important to assist international students to navigate crises such as health or financial crises, natural disasters, geopolitical or war crises that happen globally, in their home country, or affect the bilateral relationship between their home and host countries, as all these can impact on international students’ experiences.”
She said it was important to increase recognition of the value international education and international students brought to the community.