Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman says CDU to benefit from international student visa cuts

The federal government has slashed more than 90,000 international student visas, but CDU’s Vice-Chancellor says the Territory will benefit. Read the details.

Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman says Charles Darwin University is likely to benefit from a federal government decision to slash more than 90,000 international student visas.

Almost 20 per cent of international student visa applications have been rejected so far this financial year, leaving the nation on track to accept 91,715 fewer visa holders than the year prior.

But CDU Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman said the changes, in response to high levels of temporary migration, would actually benefit visa holders and regional Australia alike.

“Not only should these changes improve the quality of service to international student visa holders but the migration strategy seeks to prioritise visas to support regional Australia,” he said.

“It places regional universities like CDU in a position to continue in a growth trajectory and contribute to regional economies.”

His Eminence the National Grand Mufti of Australia Imam Abdul Quddoos Azhari and CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman signing a Memorandum of Understanding in 2024.

CDU registered approximately 3800 international students in 2023, accounting for 27 per cent of the total student body and Prof Bowman said he expected an increase in international students despite the nationwide crackdown.

“At this stage we still anticipate an increase of international students in Semester 1 2024 (compared to last year), however the increase might not be as significant as we initially expected following slowing down on visa processing in some countries and the recent release of the immigration strategy,” he said.

“Being Australia’s northernmost university and with the NT considered the gateway to Asia, CDU is supported in its growth strategy by the NT and federal government strategies to increase mobility with Pacific island and southeast Asian countries – areas in which CDU already has an established presence.”

In December, CDU announced it had signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with the Australian International Islamic College as part of the institution’s effort to bolster academic and cultural exchanges with Middle Eastern and Asian students.

Following the agreement, Prof Bowman said the relationship would bring growth to the Territory.

“Partnerships with organisations such as the Australian International Islamic College are key to the university’s growth locally, nationally and internationally.”