University of Sydney Business School pitches to Asians beyond China

The University of Sydney Business School has launched a $1 million scheme to draw students from Asian nations other than China.

Business school deputy dean John Shields: ‘We want to build brand recognition in the band of countries from India to South Korea’ . Picture: Simon Bullard

The University of Sydney Business School has launched a new $1 million scholarship scheme to draw talented students from Asian nations other than China.

“We want to build brand recognition in the band of countries from India to South Korea,” said business school deputy dean John Shields.

Target countries include Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam, but specifically exclude China, whose students currently make up over three quarters of the international students at the business school.

Like other elite Australian universities that are popular with Chinese students, the University of Sydney is trying to reduce the risk of overdependence on China, particularly given the uncertainty in diplomatic relations with Beijing.

Professor Shields said the business school wanted to retain its Chinese students, but also wanted to boost the number of high-calibre students from other Asian countries where students are more price sensitive and tend to choose business courses at other Australian universities that are cheaper than Sydney.

This year, under the scheme, more than 100 “international scholarships” will be awarded to students from eligible countries based on academic merit. The scholarship holders will receive tuition fee rebates of between $5000 and $20,000.

The scholarships are being advertised in target countries and potential students don’t have to apply for them. Scholarship holders are selected by the university from students who have been made a firm offer to study at the business school.

Professor Shields said the school was also promoting itself in the target countries by sending some of its best educators and researchers to conduct master classes, mini-lectures and other presentations.