ICMS increases scholarships and accommodation bursaries for domestic students, Ella McMahon

With half their students stuck overseas, a northern beaches college is looking to boost domestic numbers with additional scholarships.

A business college which has lost 50 per cent of its student population from its classrooms because they live overseas, is increasing its domestic numbers through scholarships.

At the same time it’s calling for the Federal Government to come up with a safe and workable plan to allow international students into Australia before they lose them to other countries such as Canada and the UK.

Ann Whitelock Courtney-O’Connor from the International College of Management, Sydney (ICMS) in Manly said students were willing to charter flights so they don’t take the place of returning Australians and obey all quarantine rules at their own cost so they can study here.

Ann Whitelock Courtney O'Connor, chairwoman of the scholarship program at the International College of Management Sydney in Manly. Picture: Ben Williams Photography.

The college usually has around 1000 foreign students at the college, which makes up about 50 per cent of the population.

Ms Whitelock Courtney-O’Connor said the border closures were “impacting the whole sector” across Australia.

“We are losing out to places like Canada and the UK who are opening up to overseas students,” she said.

She added that it wasn’t just the college that would benefit from having students back, but also the local economy which has suffered, as the students spend money in Manly and Sydney.

Rowan Courtney-O’Connor is the CEO of International College of Management, Sydney (ICMS). Picture: Supplied.

Its current overseas students are continuing to learn via online teaching platforms and new international students are still joining in the hope they can get to Australia to study soon.

But with empty chairs in the classrooms, ICMS has decided to encourage more domestic students, and support some through increased scholarships and accommodation bursaries.

The college is offering scholarships to more than 60 students this year – a 25 per cent increase on 2020.

And it is spending around $2m – up from $1.6m last year – on helping students who want to study at Manly.

Ms Whitelock Courtney-O’Connor, who runs the scholarship program, said despite the pressure on the higher education sector, the college also recognises that many students and parents all over the country have had a tough year too.

Ella McMahon, from Stella Maris College, Queenscliff, has won a scholarship to study at the International College of Management, Sydney, Manly. Picture: Ben Williams.

“Many parents are facing an uncertain financial future and as a leading educational institution, it is our obligation to ensure motivated students can access tertiary education and a career,” she said.

In addition to the industry and scholarships, ICMS is offering students from regional and interstate areas an accommodation bursary for on campus accommodation in 2021.

Two school leavers who have already applied and received scholarships include Ella McMahon from the northern beaches and a former Stella Maris pupil, and Mollyrose Simmons from Taree in regional NSW.

Ms McMahon was awarded the ANZ Scholarship to help cover the cost of completing a Bachelor of Business over three years.

Molly Simmons from Taree will attend the International College of Business, Sydney, thanks to a n accommodation bursary. Picture: Ben Williams.

“I heard about the scholarships through my high school career adviser and thought it would be an incredible opportunity,” she said.

“I feel very fortunate and look forward to making the most of this opportunity.”

Ms Simmons received the Wotif Scholarship towards tuition and accommodation to help her complete a Bachelor of Business (Entrepreneurship) degree.

Ms Simmons said the scholarship would allow her to relocate from Taree in regional NSW and follow her goal of developing a career in technology, travel and tourism.

Ms Ann Whitelock Courtney-O’Connor said she hoped the federal government would look into how to safely get overseas students into the country to study, as Australian colleges and universities are losing out to Canada and the UK.