Why international students are important for South Australia's future
Hon. David Ridgway
Agent General for South Australia for the United Kingdom and Europe
Earlier this week the Premier of South Australia, the Hon Steven Marshall MP and I released the International Education 2030 plan to grow South Australia’s international education sector.
Developed hand-in-hand with our universities, schools and colleges, for the first time ever this plan takes a holistic approach to identifying ambitious and actionable targets to ensure this vital sector continues to drive economic growth.
From the world-changing research prowess of our state’s five Nobel Laureates to heroes like Andy Thomas and Douglas Mawson, South Australians today are blessed with a world-class education system built by those who have come before us.
Combined with our pristine environment and enviable lifestyle, South Australia is perfectly placed to attract some of the brightest minds from around the world; and yet the past decade has seen our state’s international education sector grow at a slower rate than the eastern states.
New Zealand’s former Minister for Economic Development, the Hon Steven Joyce, once shared with me that his country offers some of the same attributes as South Australia - a desirable lifestyle and renowned educational institutions – yet tens of thousands of Kiwis were leaving New Zealand for Australia each year. Why?
The missing ingredient was the opportunity to pursue a global career.
With exciting developments such as Lot Fourteen, the Space Agency and our government’s focus on backing entrepreneurship and helping local businesses to thrive, South Australia is creating more job opportunities in new globally significant industries.
This is why our International Education 2030 plan, titled LIVE, LEARN, STAY, is demonstrably focused on not only attracting more people to study in South Australia, but to stay on and build global careers.
Looking back to the Colombo Plan in the 60’s and the incredible impact many of those students have had on our state, I believe the best of our international students can help provide the skills for current and future industries, fuel increased investment and strengthen trade links between South Australia and their home countries.
As it is, international education is our largest service export and a Deloitte report we commissioned last year shows that one job is created in South Australia for every four international student enrolments.
International students make a significant contribution to retail expenditure, they boost tourism dollars and entice their friends and relatives to visit them in South Australia. Moreover, by studying in our local institutions these students internationalise the education our own daughters and sons receive and they gain an Australian cultural experience so valued by international students.
Our plan sets an ambitious target to welcome 71 000 students a year to South Australia from around the world by 2030. By effectively doubling our annual enrolments, in 2030 we can expect 23 500 South Australians to be employed recruiting, teaching and providing services to international students; injecting $3 billion a year into the South Australian economy. In return, our plan aims to increase the services and support provided for students who invest in an education here, delivered in partnership with industry.
As South Australians, we all share in a responsibility to build a stronger and brighter future for the next generation.
By increasing international student numbers, our state’s burgeoning industries such as food, wine and agribusiness, health and medical, tourism, technology, defence, space and creative industries will have better access to a pipeline of talent to fill current and future skills shortages.
In turn, an increasingly international workforce will ensure South Australia and its businesses are better positioned to fully grasp the opportunities presented by changing global demands.
The full International Education 2030 plan, can be accessed via the Department for Trade, Tourism and Investment website, https://dtti.sa.gov.au/international-education.
General Manager at Superior Training Centre RTO ID 41122
5 年Congratulations to SA for a bold plan that acknowledges that some international students want to stay and can contribute after graduation. We are discussing regional migration options at the education agent symposium? https://sympled.com.au/ SYMPLED2019 SA is leading the way by taking a balanced view of #internationaleducation. ISEAA Education Agents Association?
Curious, people person.
5 年Have you seen this Callista Thillou ?
Certified Computer Professional and Educator
5 年The South Australian government has made some bold moves to promote international students. One was to recognize Torrens University, through an act of the SA Parliament in 2013. Torrens is part of the for-profit Laureate International Universities, which provides online education online to students around the world. Another is to provide a traditional sandstone building for international universities who do not have their own campuses in SA, including Torrens and Carnegie Mellon. If you look carefully at photos of Carnegie Mellon SA, Torrens and other international universities in SA, you will notice the same building, dressed with different banners. This is a very clever bit of marketing, as well as providing an efficient service for the universities and the students, sharing the one facility. https://blog.highereducationwhisperer.com/search?q=torrens+university+building
Senior Business Development Manager at Student One
5 年Tatiana Lago
Construction Professional | Nurturing high performing teams | Project delivery | Stakeholder management | Risk management
5 年I haven’t read your post. I have read the plaN. In the scheme of things Education is a fantastic thing for South Australia. As an export it suits our competitive advantage and as an import it is a brilliant way to attract bright talented immigrants. Keep in mind that I am an SA education immigrant.