Public investment in higher education would pay off for the whole nation

• investment in highly targeted reciprocal exchange and study abroad and scholarship programs;
• relationship building with international alumni; and
• active participation and acceptance of leadership opportunities in consortia of foreign universities and international university associations.

Home base support

To achieve the articulated vision for 2020, universities will require a solid national support base. This requires a joint effort by the universities and government to apprise the Australian public of the major benefits that international education accrues for Australia.

There is a particular need to create an understanding that the overseas academic activities and programs are created within the framework of Australia’s high-quality national university sector.

Universities and governments need to give an even higher profile to the national importance of international education.

Specific initiatives

To achieve this, the AVCC proposes two specific initiatives:

• the establishment of a Commonwealth-State Ministerial Council on International Education, with provision for formal input by education peak bodies; and
• delivery of a Prime Ministerial Policy Statement on International Education that commits the government to the support of international education through concrete government action.

These very targeted steps could form the foundations of a significant and effective partnership which will be of benefit to government, universities and the nation as a whole.