Three months after announcing a new education strategy, StudyPerth has launched its action plan, outlining a range of ideas to attract and retain international students.
Three months after announcing a new education strategy, StudyPerth has launched its action plan, outlining a range of ideas to attract and retain international students.
The International Education Action Plan is the basis for StudyPerth’s goal of increasing the number of international students in Perth to 100,000 in the next six years.
Presented by Premier Mark McGowan, StudyPerth chief executive Phil Payne and board chair Rod Jones at a breakfast this morning, the plan includes the establishment of an International Students Centre in the CBD, which it says will be fully funded and operational by 2020.
Funding for the centre has not yet been announced.
The plan also details initiation of a digital marketing campaign to promote Perth as a first choice study region, which is forecast to begin planning this year, depending on funding constraints.
From September this year, a Passport to Perth program will also be established to engage international students with extra-curricular activities in the city.
StudyPerth had revenue of $2.2 million in the past financial year.
The organisation has yet to confirm the details of how the initiatives will be funded.
Chair of StudyPerth Rod Jones described the importance of the action plan to improve Western Australia’s value proposition as a study destination.
“The international education industry is WA’s largest services sector, after tourism, generating about $1.9 billion in 2017 in course fees and spending,” he said.
“Through its recent strategy, the state government has recognised the value international students bring to both our community and the economy.
“The strategy identified the areas of live - in a city that’s ranked the most liveable and friendliest in the world; learn - through high quality education and training; and launch - into rewarding careers or entrepreneurship, as key factors in attracting international students to study in Western Australia.
“With the support of the state government, and together with our members and partners, StudyPerth has converted these priorities into outcomes-focused commitments and initiatives.”
Executive director of StudyPerth Phil Payne said that the action plan would be funded through StudyPerth's existing relationships.
"To implement the initiatives set out by StudyPerth's action plan, the organisation is working collaboratively with its members, stakeholders, the WA state government, the City of Perth, businesses and industries who support international education," he said.
"Funding to deliver successful outcomes to the initiatives is and will be supported by this collaboration."