Driving the international education sector

With international education being Australia’s largest services export, ensuring your international education offerings are both globally competitive and attractive is crucial.

Numbers show the amount of international students coming to Australia to be steadily increasing. Therefore, Australian institutions must guarantee an international presence is on their agenda, and resources are being utilised to continue this growth.

International Student Enrolment Data 2015 chart suggests total enrollment from January 2015 was 298,023 to 377,079 in September 2015, a 11.7% increase.

Chart from Department of Education and Training.

In order to establish and sustain international student growth, institutions must be aware of the importance of stakeholder relationships, support students through industry and community engagement, and overcome offshore learning barriers to grow competitiveness.

Strengthening relationships with international stakeholders is key for Universities to be sustainable within the global market. Maximising global partnerships will not only improve global relationships with future and potential partners.

Universities Australia shares facts and figures stating Australian Universities have more than one million enrolled students, employ over 100,000 staff, provide significant contributors to their local communities and much more – demonstrating Australia's universities make a strong contribution to Australia's economic prosperity and social well-being.

“International students are key for Australia’s prosperity”, Paul Wellings the vice-chancellor of the University of Wollongong has said in a Campus Review article.

“Australia can’t simply educate international students without offering pastoral support and help to breakdown language barriers," Wellings said, "as they would struggle through their education."

He said the ratio of marketing and recruiting staff to student support staff in the international education industry is substantially unbalanced in favour of the former.”

Universities must enable and improve quality assurance. Use national and international extensive work place learning to ensure graduate skills and employability.

Immigration and competition for top talent has been increased the awareness that institutions need to invest time into ensuring their organisation…

Overcome offshore learning barriers to grow competitiveness…

The reputation of Australia as a world leader in international education is one that tertiary institutions must preserve. Add the process of internationalising in your institution to establish long-term success.

After finishing University with a degree in Business Marketing, I decided to make a big jump across seas for the first time and move from the east coast of America to Sydney, Australia. I landed my first job in a sales position in the event industry and soon thereafter moved into a marketing assistant role – following I had the pleasure of interviewing with Akolade which got me to where I am today.

Akolade is a fun, innovative company that brings together people from different walks of life to implement change. As the Marketing Manager, I have the pleasure of wearing many hats which motivates me to succeed, reach people in an array of avenues, grow our events to their full potential, and raise our story. As for me, I am a kind dedicated woman who loves to work hard, exercise, cook, be social and have some fun.