Educators fighting back after virus has major impact on sector

One of the worst hit industries on the Coast, universities, schools and the peak body Study Gold Coast have launched an action plan to get international students back to the coast.

GOLD Coast education leaders want to see the Coronavirus travel ban over by mid-March to stem the impact on the city’s $224 million Chinese education sector.

One of the worst hit industries on the Coast, universities, schools and the peak body Study Gold Coast have launched an action plan to assist international students unable to return.

The plan includes a welcome and support campaign for Chinese students and their families, digital advertising in new international markets and changes to a number of local education deadlines.

The peak body has also secured a new trade partnership with the Shandong province in China which could see up to 3000 new students head to the Coast annually and new collaborative provider partnerships.

CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK: STUDY GOLD COAST POSTPONES PROGRAMS

South Korean tourists leaving Israel are pictured at a pavilion separated from the main terminal of Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv on February 24, 2020.(Photo by Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP)

Study Gold Coast CEO Alfred Slogrove who travelled interstate last week is seeking further federal and state assistance. He told the Bulletin, Coronavirus’s total cost to the region is not yet known.

“There will be an impact, the hope is travel bans will be lifted before the end of March so it doesn’t impact the rest of the calendar year for students,” Mr Slogrove said.

“The situation presents a challenge to all in our sector but we don’t know by how much until an end date is insight.”

“There still will be a bit of reputation damage with the travel bans, however we have had a lot of strong communications – the Gold Coast responded quickly and has strong relationships in China.”

COAST COMPANY FORCED TO CUT HOURS AFTER CORONAVIRUS DOWNTURN

Alfred Slogrove of the Student Hub in Southport. Pic Tim Marsden

To date over seven study tours and up to several hundred visa-holding students have been directly impacted by the spread of the virus, with the majority of these students studying at English language providers, universities and associated colleges.

New digital campaigns to attract high-quality students to pathway and study on the Gold Coast have been targeting Brazil, Colombia, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam, as well as onshore students in Sydney and Melbourne.

The campaign will also be rolled out in China once the situation subsides.

Study Gold Coast also remains committed to scheduled China and Taiwan trade mission in May along with a trade mission to Latin America next month.

Mr Slogrove said the sector was seeking further support and collaboration between the State and Federal Government when it came to student support and advertising funds.

But confirmed the sector has been encouraged by the $3 million additional state funding and has been working with the state to seek further assistance at a local level.