Alka Gupta’s Post

IDP: There is one powerful trend in international education that experts such as UK-based Tom Pinder say is unwise to bet against - the long-term rise and rise in global student mobility. * Australia’s international education sector is pulling its hair out over the prospect of the introduction of caps on international student numbers. * Shares in the country’s biggest international education play IDP are down 36 per cent over the past year. But Mr Pinder says alternative destination markets such as in Europe are the big beneficiaries of policy uncertainty in the traditional English-speaking markets. And student demand is rising.

This is an ambitious strategy, and it is clear that government regulation on the education sector is intensifying. Students welcome all initiatives that treat international education as an integral part of the education sector and provide support accordingly. This acknowledgment will help to recognize that at our universities, a significant portion of the international population primarily identifies as students, not customers or "cash cow". Specifically, linking the number of international students admitted to university resources, especially accommodation, is a correct and welcome approach. Universities should build sufficient student accommodation, and cafeterias, and hire enough teachers and staff to properly serve their students. Students are pleased to see more details about how the federal and state governments might allocate funding and policies to support more university student housing, such as including university student accommodation within the scope of affordable housing. Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association will conduct further research on the new policies and provide suggestions. During this intensive policy rollout phase, we urge Jason Clare MP and the Council for International Education to strengthen direct engagement with student representatives to enhance the quality of the new policies. We are very willing to strengthen cooperation with the ISANA Inc International Education Association and The Group of Eight to improve the representation of international students. #internationaleducation #internationalstudents

I welcome the Australian Government's announcement today that it wants to work closely with universities on getting international education right for the country. Of course we are keen to see the details and engage in the dialogue with Government, but the starting point is the positive contribution of international students to our communities and the importance of a great student experience for all students. The announcement suggests through a managed approach the student experience for all students can be improved. Presently roughly 90 per cent of international students are in our capital cities, with particular concentration in Sydney and Melbourne. With a better distribution of international students some of the pressure in certain urban centres will be relieved while regional communities can benefit more from the diverse skills that international students bring. Over the years I have had numerous conversations with our local employers and industries, keen to help us attract more international students to the Hunter and Central Coast. They understand that regional cities and towns benefit enormously from welcoming these students into our classrooms and workplaces, and have a lot to offer in return. The connections, perspectives and cultural exchange that result enrich us all. At the institutional level, diverse classrooms lead to a positive experience at university for all students. So does having a secure and affordable place to live.    We therefore welcome the focus of the proposed International Education and Skills Strategic Framework on enhancing the student experience and maintaining the integrity of our international education system. To the extent this policy could help improve the wellbeing of students, and diffuse the benefits of international students to the wider parts of the nation, we welcome it. We look forward to working constructively with the Australian Government.

🌏 Future of International Education - Is Online Education the Answer? With many major international education destinations tightening entry, such as the UK, Canada, and Australia, higher education institutions within these countries are contemplating ways to maintain enrollment while complying with these regulations. International students account for a considerable portion of higher education revenue, hence, barriers to student mobility can severely impact their finances. Online education could be a key - there are some advantages of this mode. For one, online education tends to be 3-4 times cheaper than in-person education. Furthermore, the convenience of not relocating to a different country and the various costs and immigration process are completely side-stepped through this method for students. Higher education institutions could benefit from the scalability of these programs - class sizes will not be limited by physical restrictions. Yet, there are some limitations. Online degrees might not offer the same social benefits of networking as in-person degrees nor pathways for employment in these major education destinations. Pathways to employment are a significant motivator for international students and online education restricts access to employment in education destinations. But one thing is clear, universities will be forced to compete with each other in the international market - and it will not be easy as higher education institutes are not built to compete. Whichever program offers the most value for money will gain the most traction in the international market.

For families exploring educational pathways in Luxembourg, the Luxembourg Times recently published an insightful article on the International Baccalaureate (IB). If you’re considering the best fit for your child’s education, this is a good resource to explore! 💡 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eRcJD38n

🚨 Big Changes Coming to International Education in Australia! 🚨 Next week, the Albanese Government will introduce crucial legislation aimed at enhancing the integrity and sustainability of our international education sector. Here’s what you need to know: 1. Enrollment Caps: The Minister for Education will set limits on new international student enrollments, ensuring sustainable growth. 2. VET Sector Focus: Specific advice from the Minister for Skills and Training will guide allocations, reflecting a strong focus on quality in vocational education. 3. Tighter Regulations: New rules will prevent providers from owning education agent businesses and improve the vetting process for new educational providers. Additionally, a crackdown on non-genuine agents and providers will protect the sector’s reputation. 4. Student Accommodation: Universities will need to provide additional student housing if they wish to enroll more international students than the set limit. 5. Consultation and Framework: A draft International Education and Skills Strategic Framework is out for consultation, promising a structured approach to future growth. This is a pivotal moment for us! Let’s discuss how we can adapt and thrive under these new regulations! https://lnkd.in/gG5Nh5a9 #EducationReform #InternationalStudents #HigherEducation #VocationalTraining #AustralianEducation

Major changes are on the horizon for international education in Australia. The Albanese government's proposed national planning level (NPL) will cap new international student commencements at 270,000 for 2025, potentially reshaping the landscape of higher education. Public universities are allocated 145,000 spots, while private institutions and VET providers are set to receive just 30,000 and 95,000, respectively. This cap, aimed at managing growth sustainably, could significantly impact VET providers, which have seen substantial international student enrollment in recent years. With the VET sector facing the toughest restrictions, the question remains: how will this affect Australia's $48 billion international education industry? At Practera, we're closely monitoring these developments and remain committed to supporting educators and students through these changes by offering adaptable experiential learning programs that meet evolving needs. A big thanks to Beth Kennedy for breaking down this critical issue in The PIE News. Stay informed and read more here https://lnkd.in/gHc352cc #InternationalEducation #Australia #VET #HigherEd #Practera #SustainableGrowth

While it's great that the government is taking steps to regulate the international education sector, certain aspects of the proposed legislation raise concerns. For instance, setting maximum enrollment numbers could inadvertently limit opportunities for both international students seeking education and Australian institutions to offer diverse courses. Some institutions might have to discontinue certain courses due to low enrollment numbers, which could restrict choices for both international and domestic students and potentially tarnish Australia's reputation as a leading education provider. Moreover, a blanket ban on commissions for onshore education agents in student transfers may have unintended consequences. Onshore education agents play a crucial role in assisting students with informed decisions about their further studies. By prohibiting commissions, the government risks dissuading education agents from providing these valuable services free of charge for international students. This could result in increased confusion and difficulty for students with genuine needs, while also placing an additional burden on institutions to provide these services. I look forward to seeing this new regulation adopt a more nuanced approach. Implementing stricter regulations on commission structures or increasing transparency requirements may be more effective in addressing the issue of unethical poaching while still preserving the important role of education agents in facilitating student mobility. #internationalstudents #idp #newregulation #internationaleducation https://lnkd.in/g-fEERV3

The draft International Education and Skills Strategic Framework (the Framework) has been released today, lots to unpack! Also, Government will introduce legislation to support the integrity and sustainability of the international education sector. If passed in the parliament, this legislation will enable the Minister for Education to set an allocation for the maximum number of new international student enrolments education providers can offer. For vocational education, these allocations will be set based on advice from the Minister for Skills and Training. The legislation (if passed) will also deliver important reforms to strengthen the integrity and quality of international education, including the power to: • Prevent education providers from owning education agent businesses. • Pause applications for registration from new international education providers and of new courses from existing providers for periods of up to 12 months. • Require new providers seeking registration to demonstrate a track record of quality education delivery to domestic students before they are allowed to recruit international students. • Cancel dormant provider registrations to prevent them being used as a market entry tool by unscrupulous actors. • Prevent providers under serious regulatory investigation from recruiting new international students. • Improve the sharing of data relating to education agents. . Prohibit agent commissions on student transfers between providers in Australia to remove incentives for unscrupulous agents and providers to ‘poach’ students. Media release,