Media Releases 2009

27 May 2009

Universities Australia welcomes Government commitment to maintaining and strengthening quality in international education

Universities Australia welcomes the Deputy Prime Minister’s announcement in Parliament yesterday to assure quality across all providers of tertiary education, and to enhance the experience for international students studying in Australia.

“The Deputy Prime Minister’s recognition of the achievements of Australian universities in building a thoroughly internationalised education system, and the announcement of additional policy steps to better support that role, represents a continuation of the Government’s commitment to an education revolution,” Universities Australia Chief Executive, Dr Glenn Withers said today.

“Australian universities support enhanced quality assurance across the tertiary sector and increased attention by the Commonwealth, States and Territories to student safety and other aspects of the student experience,” Dr Withers said.

“We look forward to close consultation in this process, including the Review of the ESOS Act, enhanced migration student integrity measures, the Joint Committee on International Education working group and the outcomes of the proposed student roundtable,” Dr Withers said.

“Australia’s universities are in a key position to inform the process of ensuring best practice approaches and to consult and work with governments, embassies, and student organisations to guarantee world class outcomes while minimising red tape,” Dr Withers said.

Universities Australia calls on all Senators to support the Student Services and Amenities legislation currently before the Parliament because it is crucial to ensuring that universities have the means to continue to improve the services and facilities that underpin the student experience.

“International students contribute to Commonwealth, State and Territory revenues, so we urge all levels of government to address education pathways currently obstructed by conflicting jurisdictional arrangements, and to enhance access to reasonable services, including ending the Victorian and NSW Governments’ denial of student transport concessions to international students,” Dr Withers said.

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Media Inquiries Rebecca Harris – phone: (02) 6285 8106 or 0400 1666911