Returning international students will boost SA’s economy, universities say
A plan to fly in about 300 international students so they can continue their studies in SA isn’t about filling unis’ coffers, the sector says.
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The return of 2300 international students this year would boost South Australia’s flagging economy rather than get universities out of their financial hole, the sector says.
“Some people think this is about universities chasing fees but that’s simply not correct,” Flinders University vice-chancellor Colin Stirling said.
“These would be students who’ve already invested in their education here by paying fees for some time and so we simply owe them the right to complete their studies.
“That said, bringing our international students back will help to boost other parts of our economy including the many businesses that are struggling with the downturn including those in the rental, retail and hospitality markets.”
Analysis showed 57 per cent of the $2.145bn students brought to SA last year went to local businesses and 43 per cent to unis, marketers Study Adelaide said.
“There’s a huge flow-on effect,” chief executive Karyn Kent said.
SA is poised to accept a pilot planeload of 300 returning students but is awaiting clearance from the Federal Government.
The trial would pave the way for further special flights slotted between commercial airlines flying in returning Australian residents as caps on arrivals start to lift nationally by 1600 a week to nearly 5600.
“The increase in international arrival caps will provide more capacity for Australians to return home,” a State Government spokeswoman said.
“The pilot program proposal has been prepared in close consultation with SA Health and SA Police and has received support from the Chief Public Health Officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier.”
Among local businesses hit by the lack of students was Rundle Place pharmacy Terry White Chemmart said managing director David Conti.
“It’s had a big impact, we hadn’t realised they make up nearly a quarter of the population of CBD Adelaide,” he said.
“Our foot traffic has dropped off because of covid as well but it’s certainly affected us.”
Mr Conti also has international students working for him as placements or simply part-time staff. He rejected criticism that students displace locals.
“The students generate their own jobs and more jobs for locals through their sheer volume and expenditure,” he said.
If incoming students followed SA Health quarantine rules “there shouldn’t be a public health issue at all”, he added.
International students often volunteer for charities in SA, either as part of their courses or simply to contribute to the community.
“They do everything from working in admin to helping in food relief to working in our op-shop to entertaining the kids,” said Melanie Tate, chief executive of Puddle Jumpers, a charity for vulnerable children.
“We have lots who volunteer and we’re missing them.”
Ms Kent said while total enrolments were up by 500 to 40,500 for the first seven months of this year, there was a drop in new signings.
Adelaide Uni, which has the highest proportion of international students said 895 were stuck abroad.
Flinders has 333 and UniSA 1100 studying remotely while they wait to return.
UniSA vice-chancellor David Lloyd said bringing back the students was integral to restoring a sense of normal life.
“In all respects, international students are an important part of our community – they work, they volunteer, they travel within Australia, they make friends, they contribute ideas and effort and are a part of our city,” Prof Lloyd said.
“We are less global, less vibrant and less of a community without them.”
Adelaide University interim vice-chancellor Mike Brooks said students stuck abroad were continuing to study remotely but needed to get back to complete their courses.
“There are numerous students who need to be here in SA to progress their studies, such as those who have medical or industry placements, or research experiments that can’t be completed successfully in a virtual setting,” he said.
Ms Kent said the students were SA’s customers and deserved to be looked after.
“It’s about them being able to continue their education, they’ve already made the investment,” she said.
Ms Kent said the economic impact analysis didn’t include the fact that many students establish businesses in SA and create jobs. Nor did it account for money spent on tourism in a normal year by family and friends visiting the students.
Federal Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong said the network of our graduates living in our trading partner countries was “priceless in terms of the markers of soft power, reputation and influence”.
All three universities expect next year the financial impact of losing international students to worsen next year.