Education provider Navitas has reported slower growth in student enrolments for its University Programs in Australia for the first semester of the year.
Education provider Navitas has reported slower growth in student enrolments for its University Programs in Australia for the first semester of the year.
Navitas said student enrolments were up 3 per cent for the semester to represent a total 19,470 equivalent full-time student units.
Growth in the education provider’s Australian University Programs colleges was flat compared with the previous corresponding period, with a reduction in enrolments from Nepal and India and a significant decline in enrolments at its Sydney Institute of Business and Technology particularly evident.
“As previously highlighted, enrolments from Nepal and India have moderated following the application of stricter assessment criteria on student applications,” Navitas said.
“These measures instigated following higher than acceptable levels of non-genuine student applications from those countries in 2013 and early 2014.
Chief executive Rod Jones said this was the last semester that the company could expect to have prior corresponding periods with much higher enrolments from Nepal and India.
“We remain committed to taking any steps required to ensure optimal student outcomes and will not compromise on entry standards, academic quality and the student experience at any of our colleges around the world,” Mr Jones said.
He said the poor outcome from its SIBT was the result of the non-renewal of its college agreement with Macquarie University, as it had materially reduced domestic enrolments.
Navitas’ New Zealand college continued strong growth with a more than doubling of its intake.
Growth in the US and Canada was also promising.
“Despite slowing growth rates in Australia and the UK due to self-imposed stricter student assessment criteria, demand for tertiary education remains strong across all key source countries and globally enrolments continue to grow solidly,” Mr Jones said.
“The number of students choosing to study overseas continues to increase and with colleges in the top education destinations the University Programs Division remains well positioned for future long-term sustainable growth.”
Navitas shares closed 4.2 per cent lower at $4.69 per share.
