How universities are enticing international students to study in the Far North

From luring students with tropical lifestyles through to postgraduate job opportunities, leaders have met in Cairns on a mission to grow international education in the region.

Over 50 stakeholders and students in the International Education and Training (IET) sector have attended the Trade and Investment Queensland Forum. International students Supratic Chakma from Bangladesh, Natasha Goodman from Papua New Guinea, Andres Fuentes from Colombia, Caesar Tado from the Philippines, Kenneth Chin from Malaysia and Denise Gelanga from the Philippines all attended the education and training forum, held at the Cairns Convention Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

From enticing international students with laid-back tropical lifestyles through to postgraduate employment opportunities, the Far North’s leading education representatives have gathered in Cairns to discuss the importance of international education in the region.

More than 50 International Education and Training sector stakeholders attended a forum in Cairns on Thursday to discuss the role international education plays in the local economy and how to attract a higher number of students.

James Cook University Vice Chancellor Simon Biggs said he hoped to grow the region’s share to one per cent of Australia’s international higher education population.

Over 50 stakeholders and students in the International Education and Training (IET) sector have attended the Trade and Investment Queensland Forum. James Cook University vice chancellor Simon Biggs at the Cairns Convention Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Realistically, I think we should aspire to having one per cent of Australia’s international higher education population (in the North Queensland region),” Mr Biggs said.

“In reality, that would mean double the cohort we have and I think we can do that.

“We were on a very strong growth trajectory and until the recent changes in the visa settings from the federal government which knocked us backwards.”

From May 10, overseas student visa applicants must meet the increased financial capacity requirements to study in Australia.

International students Supratic Chakma from Bangladesh, Natasha Goodman from Papua New Guinea, Andres Fuentes from Colombia, Caesar Tado from the Philippines, Kenneth Chin from Malaysia and Denise Gelanga from the Philippines all attended the education and training forum, held at the Cairns Convention Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

However Mr Biggs said Australia, in particular the Far North, continued to attract a high number of international students, due in part, to the number of postgraduate employment opportunities.

“It’s a great place to live,” he said.

“There are skill shortages across every discipline area in our region so there are great pathways for students to come and study, learn and love living here then move into employment.”

Central Queensland University Associate Vice President, Cairns and Far North Region Jodie Duignan-George said Cairns as a regional city, was a great destination for overseas students to study.

Cairns MP Michael Healy, CQUniversity associate vice president for Far North Queensland Jodie Duignan-George and James Cook University vice chancellor Simon Biggs at the Cairns Convention Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We’re quite a connected town. I think Bernard Salt said we are Australia’s most global regional city, and that is true in many respects,” Ms Duignan-George said.

“We have significant infrastructure and attract a lot of expertise, which is readily accessible to international students.

“So, if you’re in Melbourne, you’re not likely to meet the mayor and other important dignitaries, whereas in Cairns, we have international student events where they can meet the mayor and other important dignitaries that really add to their experience.”

Papua New Guinean student Natasha Goodman, who is studying a dual diploma of Leadership and Business Management through TAFE Queensland, said she decided to study in Cairns as it reminded her of home.

“I love Australia, it’s beautiful but I love Cairns because it feels like home,” Ms Goodman said.

“I’m planning to stay (after graduating) and find a job in the field I’m studying.”

The region is currently host to more than 1800 international students in tertiary and school studies, with higher education providers confirming a spike in the number of enrolments.

Study Cairns president Samara Dever said while numbers showed an increase in overseas students post-pandemic, more needed to be done to get back to pre-Covid levels.

“Numbers are still recovering at this stage. Pre-Covid our international student numbers were closer to 2500,” she said.

“We have a goal to reach 3000 students if possible.”

Originally published as How universities are enticing international students to study in the Far North