The triumphs of the Gold Coast education sector
Home to three world class universities and more than 80 schools, it is no surprise the Gold Coast has gained a reputation as the world’s favourite classroom. Here’s the city’s top powerbrokers.
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BEING home to three world class universities and having close to a hundred schools and a variety of specialist education and training providers, it is no surprise the Gold Coast has gained a reputation as the world’s favourite classroom.
By 2020 the education and training sector is expected to be one of the top five employers on the Gold Coast, with success resting on those leading the sector.
As we count down the Gold Coast Power 100, it’s fitting to examine who is behind the progress in one of the city’s fastest growing sectors.
The Gold Coast City Council investment of $10.8 million to attract paying international students has seen their numbers on the Coast increase by 15.8 per cent over the past year alone to almost 30,000, according to the Department of Education and Training, with 35,000 expected by 2024.
Study Gold Coast, which has been the driving force in building international student numbers, was led by CEO Shannon Willoughby for more than four years. She recently left to take on the role of CEO at Study Queensland.
The new Study Gold Coast CEO, Alfred Slogrove, is using his experience as a business development director at TAFE to help continue the growth.
Southern Cross University alone has seen a record intake of international students for its last semester, one class jumping from just six students to more than 200.
According to SCU Vice Chancellor Adam Shoemaker, they aren’t stopping there, hoping to leverage off a close relationship with the airport by offering more flexible learning opportunities in the future.
Bond University is also making waves as the first in Australia to introduce emotional intelligence (EI) testing as part of selection for its medical program.
The university says the idea has led to a more compassionate cohort of medical leaders, who will be filling the hospitals and clinics of tomorrow.
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The Gold Coast has also officially become the fastest growing spot for English language students nationally, with a 26 per cent surge in numbers last year.
Primary and high schools have proven to be among the best in the state this year.
A Bulletin analysis of the 2018 NAPLAN data showed Gold Coast schools were ahead of the Queensland and Australian average in all subjects, which include reading, writing, spelling grammar and numeracy.
On average, the city’s high school students retained a score at least 3 per cent higher than the average Queensland student, and at least 1.5 per cent better than the national average.
The Gold Coast also saw the Griffith Health and Knowledge precinct continue development and secure a multinational medical software giant on the Gold Coast.
The yet to be announced software company was revealed as one of the first occupants of the $5.3 billion, 200ha precinct.
As part of the Commonwealth Games legacy, TAFE also secured a partnership with a leading Australian drone manufacturing company to bring its expertise and jobs to the vocational training centre on the Gold Coast.
MEET COAST EDUCATION POWERBROKERS:
Alfred Slogrove: Incoming Study Gold Coast CEO and former director of business development at TAFE Queensland. Mr Slogrove was behind industry partnerships with the likes of Gold Coast Health, Advance Queensland and the 2018 Gold Coast Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games and was instrumental in researching and negotiating TAFE Queensland’s Tier 1 sponsorship for the Games.
Professor Adam Shoemaker: The Southern Cross University Vice Chancellor is a fierce advocate for regional universities. Two years on from his appointment, Professor Shoemaker has settled into his tenure helping the university grow with a keen focus on the modern workforce, and flexible study opportunities. With a long history of senior leadership roles at a number of Australian universities, he has enjoyed 28 years in the industry.
Shannon Willoughby: Study Queensland CEO and former Study Gold Coast CEO, Ms Willoughby is a powerbroker. Under her watch international student numbers went from 19,000 to 30,000 in just four years. Appointed to study Gold Coast in early 2014 after a 13-year career as a journalist, she has now taken on the top job at Study Queensland.
Professor Carolyn Evans: The new Griffith Deputy Vice Chancellor will be steering one of the Gold Coast’s largest universities as it grows to expand into the Health and Knowledge precinct. Professor Evans, who worked as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria, holds a doctorate from Oxford University where she studied as a Rhodes scholar.
Diane Dixon: As the Griffith University Project Director of Health and Knowledge Precinct, Ms Dixon is overseeing one of the largest projects in the Gold Coast’s history.
Combining the city’s two fastest growing industries, Ms Dixon has already locked in a number of key businesses for the $5.3 billion, 200ha precinct.
Professor Tim Brailsford: The Bond University Vice Chancellor and President is pushing the institution to create professionals who have the ability to ride the wave of digital disruption.
The first Australian to be appointed to the board of the US-based Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (ASCSB), Profesor Brailsford has also held board positions at the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD), Queensland Rugby Union and a number of private investment companies.
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