Universities attract students who come to Australia to secure a high quality degree, undertake work experience and develop cross cultural skills and experience. Universities attract the best and brightest from around the world to study here and they have enhanced our country. Most international students at our universities do not come to Australia for migration. Those that do make an outstanding contribution to the nation.
Universities Australia believes that migration policy must not create a 'Fortress Australia'. Over many years, in fact as far back as the 1950 Colombo Plan, Australia has been nourished by the flow of international students studying in undergraduate through to research degrees. This has enabled Australia to establish enduring links and goodwill, connect with the world, and enhance our reputation, especially in the Asia Pacific region.
Now we are faced with a 'perfect storm' of factors coming together to threaten Australia's position as a preferred destination for an educational experience. These include a stronger Australian dollar; aggressive student recruitment from other countries, particularly the USA; generalised reputational damage from attacks on international students; the collapse of many private colleges; and changes to student visas and skilled migration.
The government has moved quickly to properly enforce standards and curb the proliferation private colleges. It has also tightened pathways to permanent residency. However perceptions that Australia is no longer welcoming to international students have arisen and universities have been caught up in the collateral damage.
International education is an important part of Australian society and the economy. The role our universities play in a global community, competitively attracting and educating students from around the world, must be supported. Limiting the numbers of international students who study at our universities is not a solution to a perceived problem with migration.
In the weeks ahead as we draw closer to an election all our political parties must be clear on how they will support Australia's reputation as a high quality and welcoming destination for university education.
Contacts
Professor Peter CoaldrakeUniversities Australia Chair
(07) 3138 8086
Dr Glenn Withers
Chief Executive, Universities Australia
(02) 6285 8106
