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MEDIA RELEASE: “We welcomes the support for returning of international students, but more could be done,” says CAPA.

MEDIA RELEASE: “We welcomes the support for returning of international students, but more could be done,” says CAPA.

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) welcomes the Commonwealth Government’s recent announcements around international students and the recent launch of the Australian Strategy for International Students.

Last year CAPA requested flexibility to the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) for those affected by this pandemic. It is essential to recognise the value international students bring to our economy, and the recent announcements reflect an understanding of this.

This recent announcement includes eligibility for a temporary graduate visa to international students that continued their education overseas. The duration from two to three for masters by coursework students is also warmly welcomed.

Many international students felt they were taken for granted and treated as “cash cows” through this pandemic. This is a step towards repairing the tarnished relationship between international students and this country, but elements of the strategy stem from inherently flawed logic.

  1. Diversification – The border closure was necessary, but it indiscriminately barred international students from entering the country. Diversifying our international student enrolments would not have faired much better under these conditions. This has more undertones of geopolitical tension than addressing an actual issue.
  2. Global Competitiveness – Universities have been ridiculed for operating as a business with an over-reliance on international students. Yet, this strategy outlines a business model concerning ‘market share’ and ‘expanding further (into offshore markets)’. ’This contradiction implicitly encourages further reliance on international student enrollments.
  3. Student at the centre – To belong includes not being treated differently and there are many ways this can improve. International students currently pay full fees for public transport in two major states. They have significant visa restrictions that prevent converting to part-time study or making short trips overseas this holiday season.

“It’s great to see international education get some attention through all this, but it should always be about quality, not quantity,” says CAPA National President Errol.

CAPA firmly believes the quality of education should always remain the main priority of universities.

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For comment:

CAPA International Officer Vineet Prabhakar


CAPA National President Errol Phuah

M: 0431 545 167
E: president@capa.edu.au

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations calls for international travel restrictions set on temporary migrants to be lifted. Currently, international students need to apply for an inwards exemption in advance with a ‘strong compassionate or compelling reason’ before they leave the country.

Departing the country without an inwards exemption means they will not be guaranteed safe passage back into Australia to resume their studies. This has left many international students torn. All they want to is return home over the holiday break and to reunite with family they have not seen throughout this pandemic.

“Last year international students were bluntly told can leave the country and there was nothing stopping them. Now ironically, many would very much like to go home but are feel they can’t because of this dateed piece of travel regulation.” says CAPA National President Errol Phuah.

CAPA has sent a letter to the office of the Home Affairs Minister the Hon. Karen Andrews MP, Education Minister the Hon. Alan Tudge MP and the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship the Hon. Alex Hawke MP to address this matter and eagerly awaiting their response. We sincerely hope that this issue is simply an oversight that can be amended immediately.

International students are a vulnerable group in the population that were severely affected by the pendemic. There were no centerlink support for them, or medicare to support their mental health, the least we can do is allow them to return home and be with their families over the holiday.

END
For comment:

CAPA International Officer Vineet Prabhakar

CAPA National President Errol Phuah
M: 0431 545 167
E: president@capa.edu.au