Coronavirus outbreak: Study Gold Coast postpones study tour programs with China

Study trips with Chinese students have been put on hold amid coronavirus fears in a blow to the Gold Coast’s lucrative education sector.

ONE of the Gold Coast’s largest markets has taken a hit as the potentially deadly Novel Coronavirus continues to spread.

As of yesterday Study Gold Coast made the decision to postpone all study tour programs with China over the Chinese New Year period.

The news comes as many Gold Coast schools ask students returning from China to stay away.

Health workers wearing protective gear spray disinfectant as part of efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus at a bus terminal in Gwangju yesterday. Picture: AFP.

Dozens of programs have now been put on hold, including activities which would have seen at least 110 Chinese students stay in Gold Coast homes.

The Chinese education market, the second largest on the Gold Coast, is worth $224 million to the local sector.

There are currently 4300 Chinese students studying locally, with many expected to return to university in the coming month, if they haven’t already.

Study Gold Coast CEO Alfred Slogrove said the organisation was working hard with the Educational Bureau in China to maintain relationships over the “risky” period.

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“Our Chinese partners have indicated they will make travel plans to proceed with their programs once the situation is stable and settled in China but for now, they will not be coming to Australia,” Mr Slogrove said.

“Study Gold Coast is monitoring this situation closely in the knowledge that we need to manage our international relationships to avoid any long-term reputational risk for our sector and the Gold Coast.

“It is a speed bump, but we plan on picking the programs up later in the year.”

Outgoing Study Gold Coast exchange programs have also been postponed.

Students who have visited China in the last two weeks have also been asked not to visit the Gold Coast Student hub.