Coast at top of the class
HOME to three world-class universities, almost 100 schools, and a variety of specialist education and training providers, it is no surprise the Gold Coast has gained a reputation as the world’s favourite classroom.
By 2020 the education and training sector is expected to be a top-five employer in our city – and that future success rests with those leading the sector.
As we count down the Gold Coast Power 100, it’s fitting to examine those driving the progress in one of the city’s fastest-growing sectors.
The Gold Coast City Council investment of $10.8 million to attract paying international students has helped increase their numbers by 15.8 per cent during the past year. That’s almost 30,000 students, according to the Department of Education and Training, and 35,000 are expected here by 2024.
Study Gold Coast, which has been the driving force building international student numbers, was led by CEO Shannon Willoughby for more than four years. She recently left that role to become the CEO of Study Queensland.
The new Study Gold Coast CEO, Alfred Slogrove, is using his experience as a business development director at TAFE to continue the growth.
Southern Cross University alone has seen a record intake of international students for its last semester – one class jumped from just six students to more than 200.
Bond University is also making waves as the first tertiary institute in Australia to introduce emotional intelligence (EI) testing as part of its medical program selection process, which it says has led to a more compassionate cohort of medical leaders.
The Griffith Health and Knowledge precinct continues to develop and has secured a multi-national medical software giant for the $5.3 billion, 200ha precinct.
The Gold Coast has also become the fastest-growing city for English language students nationally, with a 26 per cent surge last year.
Primary and high schools have proven to be among the best in the nation this year.
A Bulletin analysis of 2018 NAPLAN data found Coast schools were ahead of the Queensland and Australian average in all subjects.
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