Cairns universities await reopening of Queensland borders to start bringing in international students

Cairns higher education institutions have been left on tenterhooks waiting for a return of their international students as the Prime Minister sets an ultimatum.

Plans to fly international students to Cairns are stymied by border closures. Fang Srisantisuk of Thailand, Cristian Guerrero of Colombia, Diemes Alves Pereira of Brazil and Elizabeth Martinez from Peru prepare for an English test at the Study Cairns student hub in Lake Street. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

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CAIRNS higher education institutions have been left on tenterhooks waiting for the return of international students.

Yesterday, the University of Canberra and the Australian National University announced a plan to fly in 350 international students in July.

The program had the backing of the ACT and Federal Government.

Study Cairns spokeswoman Janine Bowmaker said a similar plan was in the pipeline for Cairns but it was being stymied by the current state border closure.

“We’re unable to move on anything until we get firm notification from our Premier,” she said.

Ms Bowmaker said a proposal was for the State Government to allow a secure corridor for international students to come into schools and undergo quarantine.

Study Cairns spokeswoman Janine Bowmaker. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

“Cairns is the perfect location to be able to operate a program like this,” she said.

“International students have a massive economic impact on our regions. I believe all our major institutions and tourism businesses would be behind it. We’re also advocating to get courses commencing online prior to borders reopening, to allow international students to get a headstart.”

Ms Bowmaker said their current priority was arranging for the welfare of international students stuck in Cairns.

Last week, Scott Morrison said a refusal from the Queensland Premier to reopen the borders could further set back efforts to bring in international students early.

A road map has been set for July 10, pending medical advice at the end of June.

Mr Morrison said states wouldn’t be able to start letting international students back in until borders reopened.

CQ University Cairns Associate Vice-Chancellor Jodie Duignan-George said the institution was doing its best to survive the devastation of COVID-19 through their domestic study programs.

“It’s been a very trying time for businesses everywhere, and Cairns has been fortunate in terms of the impact,” she said.

“International education has a positive effect on what we’re able to deliver, we are keen like every other university, to see borders open.”

Ms Duignan-George said borders needed to be safe opening up to arrivals from international students.

“International students benefit the community, both in terms of what they bring to the local economy, and to our domestic students,” she said.

“Domestic students often befriend international students and can develop new partnerships and a global outlook.”

Originally published as Cairns universities await reopening of Queensland borders to start bringing in international students