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Informatics Planning Conference Berida Manor 27-28 November 08 International Update Rachel Weine International Officer. International Trends and Forecasts. Education, is it a recession-proof industry?
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Informatics Planning Conference Berida Manor 27-28 November 08 International Update Rachel Weine International Officer
International Trends and Forecasts • Education, is it a recession-proof industry? • Australia continues to be the world’s largest offshore provider of Transnational programs • Distinction between inbound and outbound providers • Pathways and articulations paramount in attracting students • Students want industry-relevant, internationally recognised programs • Courses need to reflect emerging industries • Significance of skilled migration requirements or “Professional Year” course or internship options • Dual-national supervision of PhD candidates
Informatics 2009 Priorities and Challenges • Diversify country source of student enrolments • Improve student experience • Benchmark onshore programs • Develop and consolidate offshore partnerships and programs
1. Diversify source country of onshore enrolments Currently we are heavily dependent on the China market. In order of priority, we need to diversify our source markets and focus on: • India • Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, and • Middle East. Through: - Articulations and advanced standing assessments - Greater focus and support of student recruitment agents in targeted countries with attendance at marketing exhibitions / road shows - Exploring opportunities with foreign university and government scholarship programs
2. Improving the student experience Priorities: • Higher course satisfaction scores from students • More social events for new students at both School and Faculty levels • More job-ready students – improving their communication skills & practical work experience • Maintain and build our reputation as a provider of high-level student services (value-adding)
3. Benchmark onshore programs Ongoing evaluation and benchmarking of academic programs Challenges: - Decreasing number of students in some Master coursework programs - High number of students seeking course transfers into other degrees • Relevance of programs to changing Skilled Migration and National Code regulations • Students’ career expectations • Online courses Priorities - Articulations - Pathway programs - Industry-relevance: internships or “Professional Year” programs?
4. Develop and Consolidate Offshore Partnerships and Programs • Articulation and Pathways into offshore programs • Offshore program reviews –AUQA audit 2010 • Diversify country source of students • Can we grow our offshore course offerings? (How do we achieve the critical mass in new programs?)
Singapore Institute of Management (SIM)Overview • Strong growth, some subjects now have more than 300 students • Online enrolment and appointment of UOW Library Support Officer (with in situ training in Dec 08) • Introduction of Graduate Diploma in Computer Science (Digital Systems Security) for 1st session 2009 • ACS Accreditation of Programs by end of 2009
INTI College • Malaysia is becoming an inbound education provider • Yet, INTI has a falling number of students… • Financially marginal program • INTI has currently a limited ability to teach/tutor high-level specialisations due to poor infrastructure and lack of quality staff
Zhengzhou - SECTE Program • Currently approx 1,000 students studying UOW Electrical Engineering curriculum at Zhengzhou University, China • This session saw 28 new enrolling students onshore • 2009 Autumn expects approx 30 students • Can we duplicate this model elsewhere?
Looking Ahead • Aim to modernise and globalise • Push to be a top-end provider of ICT/Math/Engineering education at a time of increasing competition, strong specialised labour demands and falling number of enrolments in related degrees • Globalisation of the education sector • Shift toward the knowledge economy Professional player approach using: Current Students, Alumni, Corporate Supporters and Sponsors, Community, International Foundations, Local and International Scholars