Source: City News

Published: 4 March, 2010

BRISBANE: Brisbane is set to welcome a record number of international students, but it may not be all blue skies ahead.

Queensland University of Technology deputy vice-chancellor Scott Sheppard said while the local industry had weathered bad publicity over the alleged racial attacks in Melbourne and the closure of several independent colleges, broader issues may still affect student numbers.

“I don’t think the safety issues are as big an issue for students coming to Brisbane as things like the Australian dollar and the immigration changes,” Mr Sheppard said.

Federal reforms to the permanent skilled migration program is also affecting the number of students seeking permanent residence.

Charged with overseeing and building the university’s relationship with the foreign student market, Mr Sheppard said Australia and Brisbane maintained positive reputations globally among the international student population.

“Brisbane is a very safe place for international students to come and we have spoken to international students, particularly Indian student groups, in the past eight months, and across the board they say they are very happy here and feel very safe,” he said.

“Students are very sophisticated these days and get their messages from social networking sites and hear a lot of positives about coming to Australia to study.

“Brisbane is still attractive to students because of safety and the high quality of international study options.”

International education is Brisbane’s largest export industry, earning more than $2 billion in 2009 and attracting more than 80,000 international students.

In 2009, the industry grew by 26 per cent.

On Saturday, Brisbane Marketing will hold the official Brisbane Welcomes International Students event in Reddacliff Place in the City.

Brisbane Marketing chief executive John Aitken said the event would feature more than 40 exhibitors, from education institutions to student accommodation providers.

“Through this community approach we hope to provide essential orientation information for students,” Mr Aitken said.

The event, featuring live music, street entertainment, prizes and activities, runs from 10am to 2pm.

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