Finalists announced for the Victorian International Education Awards 2014

Victorian education providers from universities, VET and English language training institutions, as well as students from more than ten countries have been announced as finalists for the 2014 Victorian International Education Awards.

Now in its second year, the annual Awards recognise and celebrate leaders in Victoria’s international education sector and the outstanding achievements of both institutions and international students benefiting from Victoria’s world-class education services.

The Awards acknowledge 17 education provider finalists, including businesses and not-for-profits, across eight categories, which have delivered outstanding services and programs for international students.

Winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on Tuesday 9 September 2014.

View the press release and finalists on the website.

2014 Education Services Managers annual visit program

The Victorian Government's network of offshore Education Services Managers (ESMs) from China, India, the Middle East and Africa, Indonesia, South East Asian and Latin America will undertake their annual visit to Victoria in October 2014.

The visit will include sector market briefings followed by a business matching session providing an opportunity for interested institutions to discuss market related opportunities in person. An expression of interest will be circulated to education institutions shortly.

The ESMs will also attend the Australian International Education Conference (AIEC) in Brisbane and we urge those attending to use this opportunity to catch up with them during the conference.

Study Melbourne Student Centre launch

On Thursday 31 July, Louise Asher MP, Minister for Employment and Trade officially launched the Study Melbourne Student Centre at 599 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne.

The launch brought together a range of education providers and organisations in support of the services provided for students at the centre. The event also provided an opportunity to award the winners of the Study Melbourne Student Centre photo competition.

The newly refurbished centre is the first of its kind in Australia. We are excited to offer a ‘one-stop-shop’ for international students in Victoria facing questions or difficulties, offering face-to-face practical and emotional support to students in a warm and welcoming space. The Centre works in partnership with institutions.

For more information on what services are offered at the Study Melbourne Student Centre visit our webpage or Like us on Facebook or visit us in person at 599 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne. To arrange a visit contact Alex Prentice at alex.prentice@studymelbourne.vic.gov.au

Hamer Scholarships Now Open

Applications for Round Two Hamer Scholarships are now open.

The Victorian Government established the Hamer Scholarships, a language and cultural immersion program designed to build the Asia-engagement capabilities of Victorians and help strengthen cultural awareness between Victoria and Asia.

The program provides scholarships for Victorians each year to undertake intensive language study at nominated universities or institutions in China, Indonesia, Japan and Korea.

Worth $10,000 each for China and Indonesia, or $15,000 each for Japan and Korea, the scholarships are a boost for Asia-focused skillsets and will create business, cultural and educational representatives for Victoria in those countries.

Online applications for Round Two are now open and available in the How to apply section.

Please pass on to staff, post-graduate students and alumni who may be interested in taking up this wonderful opportunity.

Applications will close at 11pm on 21 September 2014.

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Study Melbourne Launches Blog, WeChat, Twitter, Google+ & Instagram

In addition to Study Melbourne Facebook and YouTube, Study Melbourne is now on Twitter, Instagram, Google + and WeChat and we also have a new blog here.

Through these channels we are providing information on Melbourne life, events, education opportunities, helpful tips, student stories and more.

Four pillars of content reflect the different phases of the Student Lifecycle (Considering, Applying, Moving, Arriving, Living, Advocating).

- Student Stories
- Information (how-to guides, important services)
- Education (courses, institution spotlights)
- Lifestyle (what's on in Melbourne, activities)

Student stories are particularly well liked by the community. Click here to join our online community.

Our social media presence is enriched by your contributions, to share your content please send it to jane.favaloro@studymelbourne.vic.gov.au

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Continued advocacy on student visa arrangements (Streamline Visa Processing)

The Department of State Development, Business and Innovation (DSDBI) attended the Commonwealth Department of Immigration and Border Protection’s (DIBP) Education Visa Consultative Committee (EVCC) meeting on 8 August.  DIBP is currently implementing the Commonwealth decision to extend SVP arrangements to cover the Advanced Diploma courses delivered by what it assesses to be ‘low immigration risk’ VET providers.

Victoria has advocated that, in the interests of supporting growth in VET exports, SVP should be extended to Diploma and Certificate levels. 

Responding to concerns revised by Victorian providers, further discussion has been sought regarding the approach DIBP used to identify 'low immigration risk' VET providers for its SVP extension into Advanced Diplomas.

If there are any further issues to be considered regarding visas please let Chris Gartner at chris.gartner@dsdbi.vic.gov.au know so Study Melbourne can best represent international education providers.

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The Global Health Melbourne Plan

On 30 April 2014, the Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Peter Ryan and the Minister for Health David Davis released a new $17.8 million plan to boost exports and jobs in Victoria's world-leading health sector. The Global Health Melbourne Plan is Victoria's first focused and coordinated plan to support the development of export opportunities across Victoria’s health sector.

The Plan is focussed on building Victoria’s international competitiveness in seven areas identified as strengths of the Victorian health sector, including health system policy and design; medical research; workforce training; and facility design, construction and management. The Plan will focus on opportunities across emerging and developed economies throughout Asia. Further information and a copy of the plan can be found at www.vic.gov.au/globalhealthmelbourne. 

The Plan complements the Victorian Government's International Education Strategy and many business opportunities identified by the Education Services Manager network. Please contact Rebecca Hall at Rebecca.Hall@dsdbi.vic.gov.au for further information or to discuss this plan.

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Advisory Report on Accessible and Affordable Student Accommodation

Urbis consultants have been contracted to deliver a report into the barriers constraining the supply of student housing across the State. Urbis will be consulting with the education sector and property development industry; the work will generate a better evidence base for possible Government action to address education related housing supply issues.This work has been jointly commissioned by the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and DSDBI. A lack of student accommodation in Victoria is a specific challenge that has long been raised by the education providers as a capacity constraint to education export growth.

It is anticipated that the work will be completed in the coming months. The evidence gathered will inform the Victorian Government’s approach to working with the international education sector to address this issue.

For more information please contact Chris Gartner at chris.gartner@dsdbi.vic.gov.au

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Delegation marks 35th Anniversary of the Victoria-Jiangsu Sister State Relationship

At the invitation of the Victorian Premier Denis Napthine, a delegation led by Jiangsu Vice Governor Shi Heping, visited Victoria in July 2014.  The visit marked the celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Victoria-Jiangsu Sister State relationship.

During their visit, delegates were provided with an overview of international education in Victoria by Rebecca Hall, Director International Education, DSDBI, followed by a luncheon hosted by DSDBI Secretary Howard Ronaldson. A business matching event followed where Jiangsu delegates from the ICT, biotech and food industry sectors had productive discussions with Victorian industry representatives.

The visit also saw a number of the biotech delegates, accompanied by their Vice Governor, visit the Bio21 institute, Melbourne Brain Centre and the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity at the University of Melbourne where they were warmly welcomed by David Davis, Minister of Health and Professor Simon Evans, Pro-Vice Chancellor (International). A round table discussion provided the delegation with an understanding of the research capabilities across all fields at the University.

ICT delegates utilised the opportunity to visit the Australian Synchrotron at Monash University.

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Doing Business in Africa Conference

The Victorian Government is a sponsor of the upcoming ‘Doing Business in Africa’ Conference being held at Victorian University.

The Africa Australia Association is holding its third International Conference: Doing Business in Africa Opportunities in International Education and Training.

This two day program will provide an intimate setting for executives and key stakeholders to discuss opportunities and strategies for enhancing Africa-Australia relationships in education, training and related industries.

It will be held at the Victoria University Conference Centre, Melbourne, Australia on 16 and 17 October 2014.

Any providers wanting to attend can register here http://www.africalink.org.au/

Providers who wish to share case studies of activities in Africa please email Rebecca.hall@dsdbi.vic.gov.au

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