1AIEC Review 2009

AIEC 2009 Review

AIEC Review 20092

The first annual workshop organised by IDP, with the theme Overseas Students: new approaches and practices, was held in 1987. This small but influential meeting was the genesis of the annual conference known as the Australian International Education Conference – these days co-hosted by IDP Education and the International Education Association of Australia.

Now for the first time in 23 years, we have put together a review of the previous year’s Australian International Education Conference. We hope you find it useful.

The theme of last year’s conference, Transitions & Transformations, reflected the state of transition and the global challenges facing our industry. International education has evolved over the past twenty years to become a major element of our relations with other countries in the Asian region and one of the key ways we contribute to international development. It has become Australia’s largest services export and helps fill key skills shortages in Australia by contributing to the skilled migration program. In some ways 2009 represented a turning-point. The importance of international education to Australia and its neighbours has become widely recognised and government policies in this area are part of public debate.

We have tried to pick out a few highlights from the program that tackled some of the challenges we faced in 2009, such as the global financial crisis, the welfare of our students and regulatory issues. This includes an overview of the research commissioned by IDP, and showcased at the conference, which demonstrated that international students actually see Australia as safer than other destinations and having better government policies for the protection of international students.

Other outstanding sessions (in a program of great depth and breadth) were the special plenary address by the Hon Julia Gillard, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Jennie Brockie’s wide-ranging panel discussion and Bernard Salt’s thought-provoking session on our changing demographics.

International education has certainly undergone a transformation: from a niche market to a global industry with more interest from government, media and the general community than ever before. It has been an exciting journey and we are proud to be at the forefront of this peaceful revolution.

What will 2010 bring? Whatever issues are brought up, you can be sure we will discuss them at the Australian International Education Conference, 12-15 October in Sydney. We look forward to seeing you there.

Anthony Pollock Chief Executive & Managing Director IDP Education Pty Ltd

Contents

2 Introduction

3 Our Keynote Speakers

4–5 Conference Manager’s Report

5 Media

6–7 Presentation Highlights

8 Conference Dinner

9 IEAA Awards

10 AIEC Exhibition

11 Conference Advisory Committee

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Stephen Connelly President International Education Association of Australia

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Welcome Plenary speaker: Li Cunxin, Author of Mao’s Last Dancer

The author of Mao’s Last Dancer, Li Cunxin, welcomed delegates with insights into his experiences as a dancer and an international student struggling to learn English.

Li grew up in poverty under Mao’s harsh regime, but was plucked from a life of hardship when he was chosen to study ballet at Madame Mao’s Beijing Dance Academy. His extraordinary talent as a dancer enabled him to be one of the first two cultural exchange students from China allowed to go to America under Mao’s regime.

At just 20 he defected from China. On the day he was granted freedom in America his first thought was he “wanted to learn proper English.”

Li finished with some thoughts for delegates. “If you ever get sick and tired of your work remember you just don’t know the people under you, who are being educated by you.” Li said. “Without education I would not be where I am today and I truly believe that life’s success is not possible without education.”

Opening Plenary speaker: Hugh Evans, Youth Ambassador and Founder of the Oak Tree Foundation

Former Young Australian of the Year, Hugh Evans spoke of his own international student experiences in the Philippines, India, South Africa and the United Kingdom and of his vision to eradicate extreme poverty, with education as the way.

Being born in Australia he described as a virtue of chance and deemed it now the time to act on the poverty in which the vast majority of the world live. “It’s a very critical period in human history – one of endless opportunity and profound uncertainty,” he said.

Evans reasoned for Australia’s future we should be investing in Asia – learning languages, making university partnerships and promoting internships for exchange of cultural ideas and values. “The capacity of education is to realise the potential for everyone”, he said. The world is truly interconnected.

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Special Plenary: The Hon Julia Gillard MP, Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations; Minister for Education; Minister for Social Inclusion

The Hon. Julia Gillard brought a message of optimism and hope. Despite the challenges of the past year, she reinforced the Australian government’s ongoing commitment to improve the quality of education for international students.

Ms Gillard said one of the most prominent issues facing Australia was attacks against Indian international students, and the Australian government was working closely with the Indian government to find solutions to the problem. “I would like to publically acknowledge the immense good will shown by the Indian government. Our two governments are moving forward together. This cooperative approach between the two countries is an example of what can be achieved when we work together.”

In September 2009 Ms Gillard hosted a round table discussion with 31 international students. “I’m very keen to ensure we continue to hear the voices of international students” said Ms Gillard. However, according to Ms Gillard, these initiatives are just the beginning of the revolution for international education in Australia. “These measures are a good start but we are open to doing more,” she said. “Continuing efforts, commitments and goodwill…will raise the bar for the international education sector in this country.”

Closing Plenary: Peter FitzSimons

Peter FitzSimons left delegates with sore sides from laughter at the closing plenary. A former Wallabies rugby union player, FitzSimons is now a journalist, author, radio presenter, and one of Australia’s most prominent and successful media and publishing identities. He has never lost his Australian larrikin streak. He related how he proudly informed a prominent person in the Australian arts field: “I’ve just finished my second book.” After being looked up and down for several moments, he was given the advice: “Well done. You should really try and read another one.”

Perhaps he doesn’t look like an author (rugby has given his face a “lived in look”) but with such books as Kokoda and the Rats of Tobruk, biographies of Kim Beazley, Les Darcy, Nick Farr-Jones, John Eales, Nancy Wake and Steve Waugh, he is one of Australia’s best-loved writers.

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AIEC Review 2009

AIEC Review 20094

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CONFERENCE REPORT

1333 delegates from 42 countries

Biggest countries represented: Australia, UK, New Zealand, USA, India and China

All education sectors represented: Higher Ed, VET, ELT, Schools, Foundation; as well as government and corporate participants

64 sessions

4 major plenary sessions

14 pre-conference workshops

36 Exhibitors

The Australian International Education Conference is the culmination of months of hard work by an

enthusiastic and experienced team. This year the conference brought together 1333 delegates from 42 countries, and more than 150 speakers who participated in 64 conference sessions including 5 plenary sessions plus 14 pre-Conference workshops.

Let me give you a brief insight into what goes into bringing you one of the best international education conferences in the world.

The venue (in this case the Sydney Conference & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour) was locked in some time ago. The size of the conference means that there are a limited number of appropriate venues in Australia so we have to plan several years ahead.

Our professional conference organisers, Epic Conferences & Events, and I worked closely with SCEC on logistics: which rooms we needed for concurrent sessions and workshops, the large auditorium for plenary sessions, various rooms for administrative functions, a huge space for our exhibition hall. Catering had to be chosen and budgeted. It’s a truism: people come for the conference content but remember the catering.

Delegates really enjoy the social events in the conference and the networking opportunities they provide. It’s another challenge to find a venue large enough for a sit-down meal for 1200 people – but it’s a challenge we happily take on. In 2009 year we managed to turn the hard concrete shell of the Royal Hall of Industries at Moore Park into a fairyland of flowers and lights for the night for our conference dinner.

Epic have the systems to handle the registration processes and accommodation bookings. The impetus of the World Master’s Games in Sydney at the same time as the conference last year meant we had to secure enough accommodation for delegates pretty quickly. The Epic Team also handle sponsorships and the bookings for the exhibition hall.

That in a nutshell is the structure of the conference framework but the really important part and the reason our delegates travel from all over Australia and across the world to attend is the content – the conference program. This is where my main focus as Conference Manager is concentrated.

Back in March 2009 we put out a “call for sessions” to the international education industry. We asked for papers that reflected the conference theme Transitions & Transformations. From this we received hundreds of submissions and our conference panel (made up of representatives from IDP Education and our co-hosts IEAA) had the hard task of choosing which ones to accept. Many submissions were thoroughly researched and impressively written: however restrictions on the numbers of sessions we can physically squeeze into the venue, means that many great proposals missed out.

This is when the late nights, long days, overseas phone calls and thousands of emails started. Luckily I like jigsaw puzzles: putting together a conference program is a practised skill, working out which presentations fit nicely together and where and how they slot into concurrent sessions. Knowing which speakers will draw a big crowd and need a larger room; being prepared to change at the last moment. Then the keynote speakers have to be sourced, travel arrangements organised, travel arrangements rejigged, last minute changes to session times made.

Our post-conference survey indicates that the majority of delegates voted the conference this year as excellent or good. (See charts on page 5). So the objective now is to make AIEC 2010 even better. I’m looking forward to the challenge.

Looking forward to seeing you AIEC in Sydney, 12-15 October 2010.

Davina Park IDP Conference Manager

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Davina Park, IDP Education Conference Manager and Matt Wingrave, Epic Conferences & Events

5AIEC Review 2009

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CONFERENCE REPORT

Not Stated (1.7%)TAS (0.7%)

Participants: 1333

WA (4.7%)ACT (4.7%)

SA (6.0%)QLD (14%)

NT (0.2%)

International (14.4%)

NSW (28.3%)

VIC (25.2%)

Satisfaction RatingBreakdown by Region

90% of those that responded thought that it was good or excellent. Highest ever “excellent” rating.

MEDIA

There was very strong interest from international and Australian media

in the conference – not unexpected give heightened public awareness of international education. IDP’s student survey attracted the most attention, and presentations by Bernard Salt of KPMG and Chris Richardson of Access Economics also drew their share of media stories.

There were over 200 recorded news stories including most Australian mainstream media, TV and radio plus international publications such as the Times of India, India’s Business Standard.

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”Good for networking and establishing what other institutions are doing in the area of internationalising the curriculum.

Too many to list, I went to as many sessions as I could fit in and enjoyed them all. All the plenary speakers were great as well.

I was keen to see the Australian perspective on international education.

I attend this conference yearly to update myself on the research, regulations and other information on international education and to network with others who work in the area.

Fair 5%

Satisfaction Rating n=293

Neutral 5%

Excellent 30%

Good 60%

Opportunity to discuss the impact key issues have on the industry

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SIGNIFICANT PRESENTATIONS

The following highlights give a brief glimpse at just some of over 80 presentations at the 2009 AIEC. Sessions

were wide-ranging, covering policy & research, the student experience, transnational education, student mobility, marketing & recruitment, teaching & learning and professional development. More information can be accessed at: www.aiec.idp.com/past_papers/2009.aspx

The Demography of International Education: Impacts on Australia Speaker: Bernard Salt, KPMG (pictured above)

Bernard Salt took a broad overview of the demographics of the Australian population and the effects of international education on the workforce and tax base. He argued that Australia is growing at a faster rate than any other time in our history, and that the country is now at a crossroads with crucial decisions to be made in the next decade on population growth. With the Baby Boomer generation transitioning into retirement, Australia has a pressing need for population growth and to increase its tax base. We should be attracting the best and brightest immigrants: will international education fulfil this need?

The GFC and the Implications for International Education Speaker: Chris Richardson, Access Economics’ Macroeconomic Group.

Chris Richardson focused on the Global Financial Crisis and its impact on international education. He maintained that when an economic downturn is apparent, people across the globe invest in education. Australia has the fifth highest income per head in the world, attracting skilled workers at management level. The international education sector supports 122,000 jobs in Australia.

The Buying Perceptions of International Students: How They Decide Speaker: Robert Lawrence (pictured above)

Rob Lawrence presented insights derived from a study conducted with over 6,000 prospective, current and recently-graduated international students. Findings indicated that overall, there are quite high levels of

satisfaction with the overseas study experience of students studying in all major English-speaking destinations. Australia is less likely to be associated with ‘prestige’ and ‘worldwide recognition of degrees’ than key competitor markets of UK and USA, however student are more likely to be associate Australia with ‘safety’, ‘a great lifestyle’ and ‘good accommodation’ options.

Quality Assurance in International Student Recruiting: The Role of the American International Recruitment Council Speaker: Dr Mitch Levanthal

The Chair and President of the American International Recruitment Council, Dr Mitch Levanthal, presented the application process required to becoming a part of the council. The council performs an important function in the access to and the delivery of international students that study in the U.S.A, of which’s processes used to be archaic, dysfunctional and complex. The applicants must be agent and educational agencies and follow a strict and exhaustive process to become a member. Once they have their ‘seal of approval’ they have access to a large number of U.S institutions.

Future for Independent Education Providers: Beyond 2010 Speakers: Helen Zimmerman, Navitas Limited; Anthony Bohm, CEO, Think: Education Group; Andrew Smith, CEO, ACPET

Developing online infrastructure and improving enforcement of regulations are the key challenges facing Australian private education providers beyond 2010, according to leading industry figures.

Andrew Smith,CEO ACPET, called for co-ordinated, strategic and target action in order that the vast majority of international education providers, who operate ethically and provide high quality education and training, are not disadvantaged and not put into jeopardy because of the unscrupulous behaviour of the minority.

Helen Zimmerman, Executive General Manager of Navitas English, said the Australian government will not be able to meet the target to double diploma numbers without private providers. The private education sector is the fastest growing area in the $15 billion dollar-plus international student industry. Enrolments increased by 39.3 percent in the year to June 2009.

Anthony Böhm, Chief Executive of Operations at Think: Education Group believed the Australian government was struggling to fund tertiary education because of the growth. We need to look abroad to examples of for-profit institutions in the United States who have managed to achieve high student satisfaction by serving the previously unmet demand among older, career-working students.

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7AIEC Review 2009SIGNIFICANT PRESENTATIONS

Jai Ho! Achieving Sustainability in India through integrated policy framework Speaker: Racquel Shroff, IDP (pictured above)

India has transitioned from being just one of many source countries for Australian education institutions to the second largest. Indian students have transformed the face of Australian education campuses and economy with phenomenal growth especially in the VET and ELICOS sector. Does this reflect true demand from India and can it be sustained or is it at risk and dependent upon changes to skilled migration and other policies which affect student experience and influence buyer behaviour?

Using statistical data from AEI and DIAC, Ms Shroff examined the impact of Australia’s General Skilled Migration, Student Visa policy and procedures on Indian student’s choice of discipline, level of study and on duration, cost of course and identified the key policy changes which had a profound impact on this growth.

International Education: Transforming Australia? Plenary session facilitated by Jenny Brockie (pictured above) with industry participants: Stephen Connelly, Colin Walters, Lesleyanne Hawthorne, Stephen Parker

The last session in the program was a wide-ranging discussion led by Jenny Brockie on the transformative effects the international education industry is having on Australia. An expert panel and the audience aired a broad spread of opinions – often provocative but always productive. It was an excellent opportunity to identify the major issues that had emerged during the conference.

There was general consensus regarding the need for more research-based evidence leading to comprehensive and far-reaching international education strategies. Student protection was a hot topic in light of the recent attacks on Indian students, with the establishment of an international education ombudsman receiving support and a call to the NSW and Victorian Governments to extend travel concessions to international students.

The success of this very well attended session will certainly prompt the organisers to repeat the format in future conferences.

Hot Topics In International Education Speakers: John Hudzik (Past President NAFSA), Stephen Connelly (President IEAA), Bjorn Einar Aas (President EAIE), Thomas Buntru (President, AMPEI), Duleep Deosthale (Vice-President for External Relations, AIEA)

This standing-room-only session, involving international education leaders from around the world, presented a global update on trends and issues in international education. It was also an opportunity to discuss the challenges faced by the international education in the foreseeable future – from developing an international education strategy at the national level, to crisis issues such as Swine Flu and the Global Financial Crisis.

The session received rave reviews and is likely to become a regular feature of AIEC programming. As one conference participant commented: “It was fantastic having the leaders in international education from around the world commenting on the challenges we face in the future. Please be sure to have senior international speakers like these at every AIEC!

International Education Roundtable

A special stream catered for international education researchers and all those interested in new and emerging research in international education, not only in Australia but globally.

Roundtable Part A involved high level presentations and an open dialogue involving leading international researchers and conference participants about the future directions and priorities for international education research, and how researchers and practitioners and research organisations and funding bodies might best support critical research in international education. Parts B of the Roundtable involved small group discussions on specific topics of interest with leading researchers. Part C provided an opportunity for researchers to showcase and discuss aspects of their research currently in progress.

Engagement with Europe

A special session reported on the outcomes of a Seminar held immediately prior to the conference involving the European Association for International Education (EAIE) and the International Education Association of Australia (AIEA), titled “Advancing Australia-Europe Cooperation in International Education” and which attracted 80 participants from Europe and Australia, many of whom subsequently participated in the AIEC. The session set out a forward action program involving cooperation on research, leadership in international education, dissemination of good practice and other matters and will be followed up with a special Australia session at the EAIE Conference in Nantes in September 2010. This initiative is part of the AIEC’s efforts to actively participate with counterpart conferences in Europe and North America, to build relationships and to further strengthen the calibre and content of AIEC sessions for the future.

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SOCIAL EVENT

The conference dinner was sponsored by IDP Education

to celebrate its 40th birthday. Fire twirlers welcomed delegates as they walked the red carpet into the Royal Hall of Industries, Moore Park, which had been turned into an enchanting venue of colour and light for the night. Huge screens displayed photographs of IDP staff from around the globe and Happy Birthday IDP in 19 different languages.

At dinner, delegates looked up from their meals to be thrilled by Aerialize, a funky group of high flying artists who performed in hoops hanging from the ceiling.

And then... who was this woman in tight fitting pink dress, tottering high heels and candy floss blonde hair? Yes! Marilyn Monroe in person wiggled onto the stage to sing her famous breathy version of Happy Birthday to You followed by IDP’s a Girl’s Best Friend with the memorable lines: Most men think I would die for love, they think I’m just into jewels. But I prefer a man who gives, and helps me with my schools.

How could you top this? With a great band that’s how. The Enormous Horns got the hall rocking with their big band sound and everyone up and dancing till midnight.

Happy birthday to IDP in 19 different languages.

9AIEC Review 2009

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IEAA AWARDS

The IEAA Awards for International Education recognised good practice and celebrated the

outstanding contribution of individuals and teams to Australia’s reputation for quality and innovation in international education.

Outstanding Leadership in international education

This award recognised a professional colleague with at least 10 years experience, an appreciable portion of which has been in policy making positions in organisations or institution s with a significant role in international education. (Sponsored by ETS TOEFL)

Winner: Professor Jeanette Hacket, Vice-Chancellor, Curtin University (pictured)

Distinguished Contribution to the field of international education

The award recognized the ongoing outstanding contribution of a professional colleague in international education who has led groundbreaking initiatives that improved international education in Australia. (Sponsored by IDP Education)

Winner: Alan Olsen, Strategic Policy and Research in Education

Best practice/innovation in international education (3 Awards)

This award recognized the work of an individual or team that has contributed to international education through a groundbreaking development in international development, internationalisation of the curriculum, marketing and communication, support programs for international students, pathway initiatives, mobility program or social inclusion activities. (Sponsored by Hobsons)

Winner 1: City of Melbourne Welcome to International Students

Awardees: Cherry Brinwade, Team Leader Youth Policy and Programs and Gary Lee, International Student and Youth Project Officer.

Winner 2: Chilean Technical Scholarships Queensland Pilot

Awardees: TAFE Queensland, Xstrata Copper and the Government of Chile, Ministry for Education

Winner 3: Online Pre-departure Orientation Program – Education Queensland International (EQI) and Mediasphere Pty Ltd

Awardeess: Martin Gunsberg, Business Development Manager, EQI, Wendy Gilbert, Operations Manager, EQI, Tony Carrucan, CEO Mediasphere, Geoff Franklin, Project Coordinator, Mediasphere.

Outstanding Postgraduate Research Masters or Doctoral Thesis

The purpose of this award is to assist with establishing the research career of a recent research masters or doctoral graduate. Nomination for the research thesis award are restricted to individuals whose master research degree or doctorate has been conferred by an Australian university in the three preceding years up to 1 July 2009. (Sponsored by LI Martin Institute)

Winner : Dr Margaret Kettle, QUT for PhD Thesis awarded by University of Queensland (pictured centre)

Research Topic: Agency, discourse and academic practice: reconceptualising international students in an Australian university.

The IEAA Awards offer the opportunity to showcase initiatives from higher education, vocational education and training, English language, schools and pathway programs. Awards are targeted at individuals and work teams or projects rather than institutions.

All IEAA members are invited to put forward nominations for the 2010 Awards for International Education. Winners will be announced at the 2010 Australian International Education Conference in Sydney, 12-15 October 2010. Details will be published at: www.ieaa.org.au

IEAA congratulates the winners of the 2009 Awards for International Education, presented at the 2009 AIEC.

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ExHIBITIONS

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The Exhibition space is a vital hub during the conference

The exhibition is a vital hub during the AIEC. Exhibitors showcase their products, develop new leads and increase brand awareness. Delegates throng this space during morning and afternoon tea and lunch breaks – it’s a focal point for catching up with friends, having informal meetings with industry colleagues, spending some time at the Internet centre or just relaxing.

IELTS commemorated its 20th birthday at the conference, with Tony Pollock (CEO IDP Education) and John Belleville (IDP IELTS Director) cutting a celebratory birthday cake.

11AIEC Review 2009SPONSORS

IDP and IEAA would like to thank the following organisations for their sponsorship and support of the AIEC 2009.

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Professor Tony Adams Tony Adams & Associates

Julian Longbottom Director Global Marketing & Research IDP Education Pty Ltd

Stephen Connelly President IEAA & Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development & Engagement) Swinburne University of Technology

Tim Dodd Manager, Communications & Corporate Affairs IDP Education Pty Ltd

Louise Goold Director Murray-Goold International

Associate Professor Betty Leask Dean Teaching & Learning, Division of Business, University of South Australia

Dennis Murray Executive Director IEAA

Davina Park Conference Manager IDP Education Pty Ltd

Matt Wingrave General manager The Epic Team Pty Ltd

A special thanks to all the speakers, without whom the conference would not be possible; to the chairs who kept the sessions running smoothly; and to the volunteers for their time and enthusiasm.

For further information regarding the Australian International Education Conference and your opportunity to participate as a sponsor or exhibitor, please contact:

AIEC 2010 Conference Managers Epic Conferences & Events Ph: +61 2 9281 0024 Fax: +61 2 9281 0284 Email: aiec2010@epicconferences.com.au

www.epicconferences.com.au Conference website: www.aiec.idp.com

Conference Advisory Committee

The Australian International Education conference 2009 was co-hosted by IDP Education Pty Ltd and the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA). Acknowledgement and thanks go to the 2009 joint IDP/IEAA conference management committee for their guidance and leadership:

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AIEC

Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre

New South Wales, Australia

12-15 October 2010

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Engaging for the Future

Don’t Forget• Call for abstracts open through March

• Registration opens 17 May

– Super-earlybird rego ends 25 June

– Earlybird rego ends 30 July

• Program details updated regularly on the website